Airnav RadarBox paired with DPD Productions ADS-B Antenna

[DPD1]

The great thing about standards is taht there are so many to choose from!

I think the issue is that a lot of work has gone into UAT for things like weather; they don't want the GA folks to have to install two systems ... so the UAT folks have figured out how to provide the ADS-B data on the UAT transport, so if you're in a Cessna and just want to get one box, the UAT one will be your choice. If you're an airliner, you're going to have to use the 1090 stuff. And that means for us that we'll need a new box ... but we were going to want to decode UAT anyway, right?

Well, if somebody ever does a dual mode, I don't know how that's going to work for receive. There's really no way to do high gain efficiently with over 100 MHz of a split. Unless they provided two ports.

 

[jmhayes]

I agree that it seems unlikely that there would be a dual-mode box; I'm hoping UAT comes along sooner rather than later, but I'm not going to hold my breath ...

 

[poltergeisty]

Some more info on the UAT standard(978MHz) from another forum.

FAA doc. dated 5-28-10 - Starting reading from Page 11
http://www.freeflightsystems.com/docs/Final Rule for ADS-B Out_05-28-10.pdf

From page 8:

"In addition, NextGen will improve safety and support
environmental initiatives such as reducing congestion, noise, emissions and fuel
consumption through increased energy efficiency."

HAHA, no need. We have the EU effectively regulating noise and all this rot. :wink:

Page 74 is what I was concerned about, and maybe others too.

O. Safety

Several commenters, including AOPA, the ARC, and Boeing, suggested that the
FAA expand the ADS–B service volume and ensure that TIS–B, FIS–B, and ADS–R are
included in the ADS–B expanded coverage area.
Some commenters believed that reducing primary radars would reduce safety.
These commenters noted that primary radar is important to track aircraft without ADS–B.
They also recommended that the FAA continue requiring transport category aircraft to
equip with Mode S transponders and TCAS II as an independent collision avoidance
system. Some commenters argued that the complexity of the ADS–B system poses a
collision risk

Page 82:

Q. ADS–B In
Many commenters, including ACSS, ALPA, CAA, Lockheed Martin, the NTSB,
and UPS, commented that the majority of the ADS–B benefits will be derived from
ADS–B In. Numerous commenters asserted that ADS–B Out alone would not be cost-
beneficial or provide them with any added benefits compared to their operations today.
Some commenters noted that ADS–B In, however, would provide necessary services to
the cockpit. Many of these commenters asserted that ADS–B In should be mandated as
well. However, AOPA specifically recommended that ADS–B In be voluntary because it
is cost-prohibitive for most GA owners. British Airways also questioned the business
case for ADS–B In.

I don't know why, but after reading about the costs, I can't help but think of that song about an ant and a rubber tree plant... :lol:

 

[VE5JL]

I have ordered one and will be trying it with my eee 1000 when I get it. The only thing I could envision causing any grief is the small screen size (1024x600).

Jay I assume you have this now, how do you like it and is it good to use up here?

 

[Jay911]

Jay I assume you have this now, how do you like it and is it good to use up here?

I used it for about a year, maybe a little more. I saw some improved range when I moved the computer from the basement to a top-floor room, but never got anything decently in 360° like others have. I just don't have the time, money, or energy to to be drilling holes in my house and running cables and putting up antennas (I don't have any external antennas, for scanners, radarboxes, or anything).

I needed the USB port for something else about 5 months ago, so I shut down the radarbox and haven't used it since.

 

[VE5JL]

I used it for about a year, maybe a little more. I saw some improved range when I moved the computer from the basement to a top-floor room, but never got anything decently in 360° like others have. I just don't have the time, money, or energy to to be drilling holes in my house and running cables and putting up antennas (I don't have any external antennas, for scanners, radarboxes, or anything).

I needed the USB port for something else about 5 months ago, so I shut down the radarbox and haven't used it since.

I have some room here so i intend on putting up a tower for RX only for the most part with the external antenna I should be able to get better range.

Thank you for your information.

 

[VE5JL]

I used it for about a year, maybe a little more. I saw some improved range when I moved the computer from the basement to a top-floor room, but never got anything decently in 360° like others have. I just don't have the time, money, or energy to to be drilling holes in my house and running cables and putting up antennas (I don't have any external antennas, for scanners, radarboxes, or anything).

I needed the USB port for something else about 5 months ago, so I shut down the radarbox and haven't used it since.

I guess I should ask if you were to sell it how much would you want for it?

 

[Jay911]

Not looking to sell it, sorry. One day if I have enough spare time and resources I might put up an antenna.

 

[VE5JL]

Not looking to sell it, sorry. One day if I have enough spare time and resources I might put up an antenna.

I hear ya. The wife has asked me a few times why do you sell this or why don't you sell that. I always say because one day I'm gonna use it. LOL...

Did you get it in Canada or did you get it from the US?

Thx again.

 

[Jay911]

I don't recall. If Scanner Master sells it, probably there.

I try to avoid the Canadian retailers for their exorbitantly high prices.

 

[02blackss]

I have had this combination now for about 5 or 6 months.......The DPD antenna dramatically increased my range. I live about 2 to 3 km's from Toronto's pearson airport so it is amazing to go out on my balcony, watch the screen and be able to follow all the planes right to touchdown.

Helps I am up 7 floors as well. I get coverage all the way to the eastern seaboard of new york, Ontario/manitoba border to the west, Pennsylvania to the south, and Thunder Bay to the North.

cheers,

 

[VE5JL]

I have had this combination now for about 5 or 6 months.......The DPD antenna dramatically increased my range. I live about 2 to 3 km's from Toronto's pearson airport so it is amazing to go out on my balcony, watch the screen and be able to follow all the planes right to touchdown.

Helps I am up 7 floors as well. I get coverage all the way to the eastern seaboard of new york, Ontario/manitoba border to the west, Pennsylvania to the south, and Thunder Bay to the North.

cheers,

Thank you so much for your information, this is just what I was looking for. How much ADS–B do you get? You say you are 7 floors up, is your antenna on your roof or on your balcony? How many feet up would that be? 70 or less?

I think from where I am on the top of a 68' foot tower I'm hoping to able to get from where I am (Saskatoon SK) to Winnipeg, Calgary, and Edmonton.

This is looking like I'll have a new Christmas wish list for the XYL.

 

[CYUL]

I purchased the ADS-B antenna from Dave early spring 2011. Just got it up last week at a height of 65ft. The reception is incredible compared to the stock antenna I was using at the same height. From my location I am tracking aircraft off the coast of Maine and west as far as Kingston Ont.

Very impressed with this product.

 

[VE5JL]

That is good to hear that it is good in Canada. I'm more convinced to get one now for sure. (XYL hint hint... )

I'll be putting up 2 towers next spring so I will have to do with local traffic once I get it until then.

Thank you all!

 

[CYUL]

Here's the coverage from yesterday afternoon and earlier this month (bottom)

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/6396/airnavradarboxpro403shoo.gif
SEPT 9-2011
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/2858/airnavradarboxpro403shok.gif

 

[VE5JL]

That is way too cool! The local airport (CYXE) may not get a ton of flights like you do out east but there are a lot of AC that fly right over the VOR on their way from Europe to LA from Chicago to Alaska etc.

I was once driving my car and stopped at a store when I looked up and seen a 747 (I assumed 4 engines) and 4 fighter jet escorts two off each wing. I'm sure the air nav may not pick it up but that would be cool if it did.

Where did you get your box from?

 

[CYUL]

I bought in 2006 from a dealer in the US.

Don't worry about coverage. If you can get it up high without obstruction and decent feedline, you'll see some serious traffic. Don't rule out Polar traffic either. Lots of Asia bound flights cut through your area.

You will see alot of Mil traffic, I get many USAF tankers, although Mode-S only no targets. CANFORCE aircraft, mainly their CRJ's and CC150's usually paint.

It would be nice to get some coverage on the network from your area.

Good luck.

 

[VE5JL]

I bought in 2006 from a dealer in the US.

Don't worry about coverage. If you can get it up high without obstruction and decent feedline, you'll see some serious traffic. Don't rule out Polar traffic either. Lots of Asia bound flights cut through your area.

You will see alot of Mil traffic, I get many USAF tankers, although Mode-S only no targets. CANFORCE aircraft, mainly their CRJ's and CC150's usually paint.

It would be nice to get some coverage on the network from your area.

Good luck.

I was thinking about doing that. I have a feed for LiveATC now and was thinking when I get the nav set up I can do that as well. Are you supplying a feed? I wonder why flightaware delays their radar by 5 minutes, what is the point of that? If someone whats to do harm all they need is a air radio and that is in real time.

 

[VE5JL]

I bought in 2006 from a dealer in the US.

Don't worry about coverage. If you can get it up high without obstruction and decent feedline, you'll see some serious traffic. Don't rule out Polar traffic either. Lots of Asia bound flights cut through your area.

You will see alot of Mil traffic, I get many USAF tankers, although Mode-S only no targets. CANFORCE aircraft, mainly their CRJ's and CC150's usually paint.

It would be nice to get some coverage on the network from your area.

Good luck.

Oh yes I forgot to ask I noticed there are no Westjet on your screen, was that just the way it was at the time or do they not show up like WJA?

And you are right about northern traffic, lots over head.

 

[CYUL]

Oh yes I forgot to ask I noticed there are no Westjet on your screen, was that just the way it was at the time or do they not show up like WJA?

And you are right about northern traffic, lots over head.

.
Yes, Westjet traffic is present, They do not transmit the WJA in the ADS-B mode, Jetblue neither. The just show a flight number like "697"

Look at my first capture, you'll see one"518" just South of the HOME location.