EJB
20 + year membership
The cable you mentioned you super stuff, I sell tons of that everyday.
It looks that you are in the west end, guessing not far from the 401 and Wilson, Jane, Weston?
Airnav Radarbox Antenna Install Pics, 115 Feet, 35 Meters
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The cable you mentioned you super stuff, I sell tons of that everyday.
It looks that you are in the west end, guessing not far from the 401 and Wilson, Jane, Weston?
I am actually in mississauga...Dixie/Bloor area..
Looks like I am having some trouble after the heavy rain/wind overnight. Everything was working fine yesterday evening, and once the heavy rain came, my range went substantially down...and stayed there. I can only assume some water got in somewhere. I did use high quality electrical tape to seal my connection up there, but who knows what went wrong. May be a few days before I can get up there to see whats going on...
There's your problem, electrical tape.
I'd guess you'll find water has penetrated your connections.
Find yourself some good splice tape which is made specifically for waterproofing connections.
I'd guess you'll find water has penetrated your connections.
Find yourself some good splice tape which is made specifically for waterproofing connections.
I second what Mike suggested. Plus the electrical tape won't hold up the greatest during the winter months. Better to troubleshoot it now than when its -10 out 
I second what Mike suggested. Plus the electrical tape won't hold up the greatest during the winter months. Better to troubleshoot it now than when its -10 out
What about "Liquid Electrical Tape" apparently it forms into a watertight seal?
Comments?
Coax Seal is pretty much the best.
What I do for my connections... first wrap it completely in 3M "Super88" electrical tape then wrap it with Coax Seal, then wrap it again with the 3M "Super88" tape.
Putting the first layer of tape means it'll be easy to take the connection apart in the future - Coax Seal makes a mess but it works.
The Super88 tape is their premium stuff - Home Depot sells it around $5 a roll but well worth the money.
What I do for my connections... first wrap it completely in 3M "Super88" electrical tape then wrap it with Coax Seal, then wrap it again with the 3M "Super88" tape.
Putting the first layer of tape means it'll be easy to take the connection apart in the future - Coax Seal makes a mess but it works.
The Super88 tape is their premium stuff - Home Depot sells it around $5 a roll but well worth the money.
So I managed to make it up on the roof today and did a semi repair until I get the coax wrap/liquid electrical tape. I am AMAZED the amount of water that got into the connections. I had that sucker wrapped with 4 layers of 3M electrical tape.
So I took the tape off, dried the connections and put it all back together.
My range has gone back up to about 100 Nautical Miles again, but still not as good as it was when I first put it up.. I was doing well over 200+ NM during the first few days before all the rain. I need to go back up there with some rubbing alcohol, q-tips, microfibe cloth etc, and clean all the connections etc once I get the coax wrap.......
So I took the tape off, dried the connections and put it all back together.
My range has gone back up to about 100 Nautical Miles again, but still not as good as it was when I first put it up.. I was doing well over 200+ NM during the first few days before all the rain. I need to go back up there with some rubbing alcohol, q-tips, microfibe cloth etc, and clean all the connections etc once I get the coax wrap.......
Water is a sneaky little bastard isn't it? Gets into places you wouldn't think possible.
Reading your comment on the other forum thread.
The 7 inch thing was on the white piece of paper that came with the DPD antenna.
The 7 inch thing was on the white piece of paper that came with the DPD antenna.
Thanks for the info DPD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will make it back up there and make the adjustment. I think I am only out a few inches....
D
DaveNF2G
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Are you feeding the ModeS data to the PlanePlotter network?
No I am not...I am sharing my data with the AirNav servers however.
The amount of mode-S aircraft I am getting are in the hundred's....
Jason
EJB
20 + year membership
Even if water damage could it be that your range diminishing has to do with the weather? We are in a northerly flow now and were after the storm passed thru (it was a powerful storm, nice shot of arctic air). Before that we were in a strong southerly flow, seems we get a lot of skip and favourable radio conditions this time of year with a southerly flow?
With the warmup for tomorrow perhaps the SW flow will increase your range?
D
DaveNF2G
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Well, I invite you to join PlanePlotter, too. Not everybody uses RadarBox, and some devices provide data not available from RadarBox. Access to PP's network is free to anyone providing data.
(Not affiliated w/PlanePlotter except as Ground Station and Master User.)
Sweet install, nicely done. Your location is fantastic ! The shot of the control tower in the background is a nice touch !
FYI, at that elevation, your distance to the radio horizon is 15.174 miles assuming a reciprocal antenna height of 0' AAT. (Square root of the height in feet X 1.415 = Distance to the Radio Horizon)
FYI, at that elevation, your distance to the radio horizon is 15.174 miles assuming a reciprocal antenna height of 0' AAT. (Square root of the height in feet X 1.415 = Distance to the Radio Horizon)
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