Antenna Query From New Radarbox User

[bearcat]

The case of the disappearing pin has been mentioned before. The pin sometimes goes back into the cable and all you need to do is push it out

[Mike_Tassy]

Hi Covernotes, 20 mtrs is a huge run of coax, you will get lots of loss even with good coax.  Try to get your antenna as close to your shack as possible, as long as it is in the clear - ie it is clear of the roof and any nearby objects.  Any extra height requires more coax and more loss.  So the small amount of extra distance you get with height will be lost in more coax.  One thing you could do is move your radarbox up into the roof space and run shorter coax through the roof.  Then use a usb extension back to your computer, there is no loss in the usb cable.  I am testing another antenna, its a 1/4 wave (65mm) on an aluminium groundplane, I can get over 100nm with it and it has 6 mtrs of rg58cu coax
Good luck
Mike
Burnie, Tasmania

[CoastGuardJon]

These are just the circumstances where a 1090 pre-amp (eg Kuhne or Elad) could be of great advantage!!

[covernotes]

Thanks Mike
Your solution appears the best way for me to go.
After the antenna rebuild I will give it a go.
There is certainly nothing wrong with the RB.
Took it out into the back garden with the supplied
RB antenna and it immediately picked up an
aircraft at 88.3 nm.
I was holding the RB in one hand and the RB antenna
in the other.
Cheers
Covernotes.

[covernotes]

Hi Mike,
Have followed your advice.
Made up a usb extension back to the computer.
Maybe 15 metres.
Getting the following message on my computer-
USB Device Not Recognised.
One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned and windows does not recognise it.
For assistance in solving this problem, click the message.
The clicking did me no good.
Is the computer too far away from the RB?
Is the RB not getting enough power from the computer? (through 15 metres of usb extension).
Setup the RB again with the RB antenna near the computer and it works fine to 40 nm. (Inside house, RB antenna on the window sill)
Any solutions or ideas from anyone?
Cheers
Covernotes.

[Mike_Tassy]

Did you say you "made up a usb extension" ??
Or did you use a commercially made one.  If the former, I would check that its wired correctly.  You could also test it with another usb device - eg thumbdrive
Mike
 

[bratters]

You need an active USB cable like this: (similar to what I'm using)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10M-USB-2-0-EXTENSION-ACTIVE-REPEATER-CABLE-10-METRE_W0QQitemZ270517645397QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_USB_Cables?hash=item3efc1bb055

or longer. I've seen (but not used) 20mtr advertised.

[Allocator]

Hi Mike,
Have followed your advice.
Made up a usb extension back to the computer.
Maybe 15 metres.
Getting the following message on my computer-
USB Device Not Recognised.
One of the USB devices attached to this computer has malfunctioned and windows does not recognise it.
For assistance in solving this problem, click the message.
The clicking did me no good.
Is the computer too far away from the RB?
Is the RB not getting enough power from the computer? (through 15 metres of usb extension).
Setup the RB again with the RB antenna near the computer and it works fine to 40 nm. (Inside house, RB antenna on the window sill)
Any solutions or ideas from anyone?
Cheers
Covernotes.

Maximum length of a USB cable is normally 5m - see the link below:

http://www.usb.org/about/faq/ans5

I use a CAT5 USB extension similar to this:

http://www.lindy.co.uk/usb-extension-cat5-usb-extender-premium-up-to-50m/42801.html

[CoastGuardJon]

I can thoroughly recommend this one!

http://www.lindy.co.uk/12m-usb-2-active-extension-pro-4-port-hub/42783.html

[bratters]

I'm currently running a twelve metre USB cable, incorporating 5 mtr of active cable.

No problems whatsoever.

[jannuh]

Alternative is a USB-server, a usb2tcpip interface.

[Mike_Tassy]

I have a 5 mtr normal usb extension cable and it works fine with ANRB connected to my laptop
Mike

[G0HWC]

Its good to know that USB 1.1 extenders work with ANRB.
A mate of mine is looking at extending his 50m so I will
try USB 1.1 extenders as yours seems to work ok

Paul

[g0seg]

Hi Covernotes, just a few words of advice re antennas for 1090Mhz. All the info passed on to you is correct. However, with a bit of care may of the losses in feeders can be overcome. I`ve been messing with the following idea - see attachment for result. I`m using 45 feet of best quality satellite coax - yes i know, it`s 75 ohms and the purists may howl a bit but as a standby it does work. I havn`t bothered with connectors and have spliced the feeder to the box and antenna which is the standard curlywhirly supplied - no preamp. A word of warning about splicing. The majority of good quality satellite coax is sheathed in aluminium so will not solder. Strip a good amount off both ends to be connected. Solder the inner and cover the joint with an inuslator then fluff the shields together and bind tightly. If done correctly the losses in comparison with connectors are minimal - i can hear the purists howl  again but as a standby it works. The attached picture is a four day polar diagram. I operate as a radio ham on 23 cems - 1296Mhz - and wouldn`t dream of using the splice system on anything connected to a transmitter but for the Radarbox..........., proof ot the pudding is in the eating so they say. Experiment! Bi now, Roger PS, antenna is at 30 feet and the only clear sight to the horizon is NE to SE

[covernotes]

I wish to thank everyone for their advice.
I have not been on or in the roof for the last 2 days as it has been 100+ in Melbourne.
Plan A. A disaster.
Plan B. Rebuild antenna with N connector. (Padded bag arrived from the UK today empty. The case of 2 missing N panel sockets.) Add another weeks delay.
2 metres of LMR400cable from the antenna into the roof connecting with the RB.
3, 5 metre active USB 2.0 extension/repeater cables to the computer.
Plan C. Incorporate 2 powered USB hubs.
PlanD. Go with g0sengs setup.
Maybe if Plan B fails I will go straight to Plan D.
g0sengs post is very impressive.
I will cool my heels for a week, wait for the N panel connectors and hope for cooler weather.
Any thoughts on my plan of actions.
Covernotes (Melbourne)