Mode S alternates

[737mech]

I can see tcas all day at work but as a hobbist I'm looking at the Radarbox and SBS-1er. What I can't figure out is why do these boxes cost so much? It's not like they are certified FAA approved install on aircraft? Why so much and where is the competition or the DIY kits? I appologize if this has been asked before, if someone could link me to the answers I'd appreciate it. I mean $600-$700? Really!!?? There has to be a better way to market a cheaper version like $200. It's not like dealing with a digital scanner, you are basically getting a receiver with 1090mhz (ONE FREQ) a host controller and data usb out. Your PC does the rest. Show me a laptop with Radarbox package then you have $700.00. Sorry for the rant but there has to be a cheaper way.

 

[morfis]

Check Radarspotters Forum - Index for reviews of those two units and the others that are currently available

 

[K4DHR]

Supply and demand. It is a niche product and only a small handful of companies making the equipment.

You are probably right in that there isn't much to the hardware, but I imagine that the sales numbers really aren't that high, which means the cost for labor (software development, etc.) isn't as spread out over as many units. You could apply the same logic to the high cost of digital scanners.

 

[DaveNF2G]

You could, but the real reason for the high cost of digital scanners is the licensing fee for the digital technology. Apples and oranges.

 

[CalebATC]

You could build a transverter maybe, if you know how to do that.

 

[poltergeisty]

There are plans on the Internet to steal a TCAS **cough** I mean build one out of a SAT tunner. :lol:

 

[CalebATC]

There are plans on the Internet to steal a TCAS **cough** I mean build one out of a SAT tunner. :lol:

All the Mode-S boxes are is a 1050 MHz radio with a USB sound card- going into a computer and the software does the rest.

I have seen plans to build/modify a radio to receive 1050 MHz but never tried to build one. I don't know of anyone who has either

But back to the point... they sure do rip you off!!

 

[abqscan]

You could, but the real reason for the high cost of digital scanners is the licensing fee for the digital technology. Apples and oranges.

When the markup on them is over 200%, I'd say the real reason for the high price of digital scanners is GREED!

 

[poltergeisty]

Kinna like a mortgage? I hear its a niche market, too. :lol: