WACARS Issue

[guzzel]

I installed both Acarsd and WACARS on my laptop, but still can't seem to get any info from either one of them (while running separatly).

While running WACARS, I'm getting the Signal Strength at the bottom of the screen, however, I haven't seen any msgs for the last 48 hours (Located at Lackland AFB (in San Antonio), TX).

Also, I've tried 2 different scanners; an IC-R7000 along with a handheld Radio Shack scanner.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

guzzel

 

[K3WHO]

1) Make sure you listen to see if you are hearing any packets. 2) If the scanner doesn't have a line out jack and you're using the headphone jack you might want to try to adjust the volume control. If the signal strength is in the green then this probably isn't the problem though. 3) make sure you can hear the scanner through the computer speakers. I found that if I had the input monitor muted it wouldn't work.

That's all I can think of at the moment. I'm very new to this. Infact, I just started messing with ACARS last night. To be honest I had better results with WACARS as far as decoding the packets. One thing I had to do was click on file and uncheck "Use 44.1 KB/sec Sound Driver" and then check the 38.4 KB one.

As I said, I'm new to this but those are the things I had to do to get it working. I'm sure someone will be along with a little more experience and offer more suggestions.

I hope I've helped

 

[guzzel]

1) Make sure you listen to see if you are hearing any packets. 2) If the scanner doesn't have a line out jack and you're using the headphone jack you might want to try to adjust the volume control. If the signal strength is in the green then this probably isn't the problem though. 3) make sure you can hear the scanner through the computer speakers. I found that if I had the input monitor muted it wouldn't work.

That's all I can think of at the moment. I'm very new to this. Infact, I just started messing with ACARS last night. To be honest I had better results with WACARS as far as decoding the packets. One thing I had to do was click on file and uncheck "Use 44.1 KB/sec Sound Driver" and then check the 38.4 KB one.

As I said, I'm new to this but those are the things I had to do to get it working. I'm sure someone will be along with a little more experience and offer more suggestions.

I hope I've helped

WHO --

Thanks for the reply. As far as listening for packets, all I hear is static (could be some packets in there). I am using the headphone jack from the scanner into the Line In on the laptop, and the signal strength is in the green (I can hear the scanner through the computer speakers).
Also, I've used both the 38.4 and 44.1 KB sound driver; still no go.

Any other thoughts on why it's not getting through?

I'm also considering the possibility that I may be out of range, however, where I'm located at is directly under the approach to SAT.

 

[guzzel]

WACARS issues

Ok, more info.

Still using WACARS, I'm receiving Raw Data, but only when I partially unplug the patch cord from the computer's Line In jack (about half way out). When I plug it all the way back in, then I get nothing. Unplug it again (half way) then I get more Raw Data. However, I still receive nothing in the actual Message Log.

Could this be a cable problem?

guzzel

 

[kicktd]

Are you hearing ANY acars packets? What frequency are you listening on? As far as pulling the cord out halfway not sure why that works, it's possible it could be bad cord. Try another if you have one and see if it works better. You're suppose to hear static if the squelch is all the way open. Here is what the acars packets sound like. If they are buried deep in the static the program won't be able to decode them.

Also make sure line in is selected as the recording device. Double click on your speaker icon by the clock, click on options on the top left then select properties. Click on the circle next to recording, and click ok. Now make sure under Line In that Select is checked.

I might setup a web site dedicated to acars and provide info on how to setup this stuff

 

[K3WHO]

Hmm...weird, I'd try another cable if you have one handy. It could be that one of the jacks is bad too I suppose.

I get a lot of raw data that doesn't get decoded. I think it depends on how strong the signal is. When I first set things up last night I let it alone for a while and when I came back I had some messages in the log. About five minutes ago I had about five messages come in right in after the other however.

 

[guzzel]

I'm thinking that I may be in a bad location, however as I'm typing this, I do hear packets coming in from the scanner, albeit, quite faint. That may be the issue.

As for the properties windows and setting up the recording function in windows, that's all done. I did get another cord from RadioShack today, so maybe that'll do the trick.

Will let you guys know how it turns out.

Thanks guys (or gals)!

BTW. KickTD -- Thanks for the MP3 on the packet sound. That helps in knowing what to listen for.

- guzzel

 

[kicktd]

You're welcome! Just so you know there are multiple ACARS frequencies. Try 136.850, 136.800 and 131.550

Also are you using just the stock antenna or an outside antenna?

With my home brewed antenna I made I can generally get ACARS packets from 200+ air miles. Being in/around San Antonio I would think you'd get a good bit of packets from air traffic either flying over or going into San Antonio even with a stock antenna.

 

[guzzel]

I'm using a stock antenna tuned to 131.55. I'll try some of the other freqs to see if I have better luck.

BTW, the signal strength bar doesn't seem to stay in the green consistently. It's either mostly red (when the sound is up), or it jumps from sometimes green down to yellow (when the sound is moderate). I'm keeping the sound where the signal strength is between yellow and green.

Should I keep the sound in the red?

- guzzel

 

[adkad]

Hi: I've used airnav and acarsd a lot but really like wacars as well. Acarsd freezes up after an hour for some reason while wacars does not. When the sound is static without any packets the bar may stay in the red, but should go to green when the packets are present. I also found I could mute my sound and wacars still works fine. But if I used acarsd before using wacars the latter would not work. I had to start my computer again and just use wacars-then I could run the other programs later if I wanted without any trouble. When I first set up wacars it didn't work well either but suddenly it started working like a charm-not sure what is different. Also wtih wacars you will receive a lot of raw data that doesn't always get translated into the message. I also would suggest you try as many frequencies as you can as one is usually more prolific. Good luck, Adkad

 

[bdamm]

I had similar issues with my patch cord. It always worked better half out. I made a mono patch cord (had to make it because it seems all you can buy is stereo now) and it worked great.

 

[guzzel]

Finally getting a few msgs in, although I still suspect that I may have an antenna issue.

Thanks for all the comments!

- guzzel

 

[K3WHO]

Yeah, a good antenna will go a long way. You can easily build one for airband. I just made a simple dipole by cutting two lenths of wire to 22 1/2 inches and soldering one to the center conductor and the other to the shield of a length of RG-58 coax with a BNC connector on the other end. I can't have any antennas outside but this works very well inside just taped to the glass on my gun cabinet.

 

[guzzel]

K3WHO,

Post a picture of the antenna you made; i'd be interested in seeing it.

 

[kd5dga]

I use ACARSD,WACARS 0.7 and PCHFDL with POSFIX all at the same time from the same reciever and soundcard.
Wacars is pretty old plus you have to manually download and install the updates. PCHFDL ver.2.03 works great for vhf/hf traffic. POSFIX does a nice job of plotting positions on maps.The downside of POSFIX is the database has to be manually downloaded and installed like wacars.
The best part...they (except PCHFDL) are free.
Give me a shout if you need help.
Oh before I forget ACARSD is sensative to volume. Dont give alot of volume.
I have maps and their positions if anyone want them.

 

[kd5dga]

Before I forget...The maps I have are for Texas...Sorry. I made them myself.