Alas poor Radarbox, I knew it well...

[GlynH]

I've connected a Moonraker Miniscan (bought through Maplins) and am only picking up very occasional aircraft and only to a range of about 30 miles.

http://www.moonrakerukltd.com/Scanning-Receiving-and-Avionics/Mobile-Scanner-Antennas/MINISCAN-MOBILE

Although I've a Watson Radar Extender, I'm not going to get the chance to erect it this year, so I am wondering about an SSE-1090, which I can tack onto the flat roof, by hanging out of the window, without scafolding etc..

I am wondering if the RB has developed the deaf syndrome, so may contact one of the Forum members to try it against their box, as it it one of the later "bomb-proof" boxes.

My educated guess would be that the box is OK.

The likely culprit would be the antenna which IMHO is totally unsuitable for the RB.

What gives the game away is the listed receive frequency of 100-1300MHz which as its name suggests is a Jack-of-all-Trades wideband receive antenna and not a specialized 1090MHz antenna.

I realise it is cheap but it will have considerable negative impact on performance as will cheap RG58 coax which I am guessing you may have fitted?

I once connected my Royal Discone to the RB and had a similar experience.

You really need the Watson mounted ASAP - you will be amazed at the difference it makes and wonder why you never fitted it sooner!

You still have 3 months left of this year so you might be able to work something out even if all you do is get some decent coax connected and the Watson stuck on a pole somewhere?

Regards,
-=Glyn=-

[CoastGuardJon]

Hi Glyn,
Thanks for that.    Yes I agree the Moonraker Miniscan isn't the ideal twig to use on the RB.    I've got some RG174, so it would be worth trying the RB antenna with a re-wire, although the difference in the actual lengths of the elements on the RB and Miniscan are not huge, it may be enough to miss ADSB signals.

I've got far, far too many things which need doing before erecting the Watson (the boss' priority list), it will be some 36' in the air, at the base, and I'll need a very good quality scaffold tower to do it.     I had so many things planned to do this summer, but the Great British weather has made it impossible.     I'll probably plump for the SSE-1090, as I could get that sorted in an hour.

[Jeremy]

Jon,
Why not experiment and just make up a basic virtical dipole 6 cms either side and hang it out of your window on a bit of string. That should be broadband and efficient enough to tell you if the box is working or not.
Jeremy

[CoastGuardJon]

Hi Jeremy, many thanks for the suggestion, I'm already looking at having a play with making a Slim Jim

http://www.hamuniverse.com/slimjim.html

I was also going to knock one up for Airband, as they're quick and easy to make, with materials that are usually readily to hand.    I have to get any antenna clear of the flat roof to receive anything (always been that way)  on 1090 as our walls are stone and the best part of 2 feet thick.

To start with I was getting planes out to the 200 mile mark over the sea (next stop the Scillies and USA), but range is drastically reduced, which is why I agree it is probably antenna lnked rather than the RB itself.    Time will tell.     A dipole with 6.75cm lengths would be quarter wave? as 1090 is 27cm wavelength?

[Jeremy]

6.75 each side, total length a halfwave dipole. Use a garden cane to hang it on and support your coax at 90 deg. My law of Thumb is the longer you take in putting up aerials the sooner they come down. I have active bits iof string everywhere and they have been up for years!!
If you have a magmount, put a 6 cm bit of coathanger or garden wire in it and stick it to a metal tray in the center. Put that on your flat roof.
J.

[GlynH]

You guys scare me talking about bits of string, coathangers and garden cane. :-)

Jon...pm me your address and I will send you one of the two RB antennas I have here and have never used to check out the performance of your box.

Maybe it could become a 'pool aerial' to be used by those who are having suspected antenna problems?

Regards,
-=Glyn=-

[CoastGuardJon]

Hi Glyn, many thanks for the offer - PM sent.

[Jeremy]

Glyn,
Nothing to be afraid of. Part of having an amateur radio license I suppose. All the commercial aerials do is stack arrays up the plastic pipe and give you a bit of extra gain. A basic bit of wire for receiving can be very basic and work well. Transmitting on it is another game. I have 560ft or wire in a loop around the garden at 30ft and I talk to the world. 1.2 GHz just makes it all smaller! All the talk about different makes of coax and losses makes me smile as over 30 odd feet the loss is very small. It will either work or not and at least will tell you if the aerial has a short or not. I haven't tried the 560 ft loop on the RB yet. I will try it tomorrow. 73 de J.

[FlightChaser]

Bits of wire and coat hangers are part of having an amateur license :) We like to experiment, that's part of the fun!

[DougV]

Hi Guys.

Sorry I haven't had chance to get on over the last day or two.
I am the engineer on call at work and have had to work the weekend. :o(

I will keep everyone updated once I get a chance to have a play again.

Doug

[DougV]

New antenna arrived today.
Put it up on the temporary mast sticking out of the loft window.

The box is most definitely deaf.
Looks like it is going to be going for a warranty repair.

The shop I bought it from is a Pilot supply shop, so should I send it to Waters & Stanton or can I send it to AOR in Matlock?
Anyone know if there is a specific repair centre?

Doug

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[DougV]

Thank you Support.

I have submitted a request via the website.

Doug

[DougV]

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Doug

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