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  • Antenna Woes

    Ok, need some help here. I have my FR24 system antenna mounted on a antenna mast about 20ft above our roof, i have the FR2 receiver and the white antenna that came with the kit. I recently got installed a receiver and antenna from marinetraffic.com. I have their antenna mounted on a J arm which is also attached to the mast but about 7 ft lower. I have noticed that my reception coverage with FR24 has dropped a lot, i was getting about 180nm to 200 plus NM, now its barely getting above around 77nm coverage. Anyone got any ideas what it could be, The only thing that has changed is i have the two antennas mounted on the same mast but apart from each other, and the 2 recievers FR24 and the one from marinetraffic.com are right beside each other. The only thing i could od with the 2 receivers due to mounting issues.

    I have included a picture of my 2 antennas let me know if anyone sees any issues with why my reception with fr24 has dropped, the marine one is working great.Todays picture of antenna.jpg

  • #2
    Did you tape the connector with self amalgamating tape? It sounds as if you may have got water in the co-ax cable, other things to check is if the cable is rubbing against something and has been damaged or kinked. If any of these have happened then the cable will need to be replaced.
    FR24 F-EGLF1, Blitzortung station 878, OGN Aldersht2, PilotAware PWAldersht, PlanePlotter M7.

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    • #3
      Have you tried to switch off the marinetraffic receiver and/or disconnected its power supply? Could be electromagnetic interference to the FR24 box.

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      • #4
        What should I say about my set-up? Both my antennas (AIS & ADS-B) are so close on the the same mast. I didn't notice any difference in my reception coverage at all.
        Andrew,check again your connectors/soldering.
        ais-adsb.jpg

        BTW,what AIS antenna (model/manuf.) you are using ?
        Last edited by LDSP; 2014-04-20, 15:09.

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        • #5
          Hi guys thanks for the info: I think i found the problem the two recievers were really close like almost touching each other. I unplugged the marine receiver and let it got for a few hours, and my reception with FR24 has increased back up to what it has been for months,and i can see my radar alias on more aircraft then when they were interferring. I have them both plugged in and apart from each other and they both seem to be working ok The AIS antenna that marinetraffice sent me was a Siro model GP-3E antenna.

          I guess i we keep the two receivers apart from each other. Just a question for anybody, what would be a good insulator for between the two receivers as the space i can put them right now is really really tight.

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          • #6
            Any sort of plastic (even wood anything that doesnt conduct) between them should do it. If its because they are touching.

            If its electrical noise from one to the other (due to proximity) causing problems then you may need something metallic thats is grounded between them, a piece of sheet alulminuim with some sticky plastic over it then grounded might be enough. Or for a quick experiment wrap one in tin foil and isolate with some paper.

            Some coasre answers but once you have your solution you can make a nice version.

            edited: for typo's
            Last edited by SpaxmoidJAm; 2014-04-20, 21:14.
            T-EGLF8

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            • #7
              Thanks SpaxmoidJAM i will try that, and yes it was becuase they were touching each other, they both seem to be working very well now that they are apart from each other. Ever since i separated them i noticed in my radar view that i was picking up more AC, when they were touching , only a few were showing up and my most furthest max distance was about 77NM. Now i am up to almost 200nm which is normal for my location.

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              • #8
                Yup yup, also some extra advice: Don't put your FR24 receiver ontop of your WiFi modem. Keep at least 20cm distance.

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                • #9
                  Receivers

                  Originally posted by LDSP View Post
                  What should I say about my set-up? Both my antennas (AIS & ADS-B) are so close on the the same mast. I didn't notice any difference in my reception coverage at all.
                  Andrew,check again your connectors/soldering.
                  [ATTACH=CONFIG]3923[/ATTACH]

                  BTW,what AIS antenna (model/manuf.) you are using ?
                  Hey LDSP how far apart are your receivers, i have my FR24 and marinetraffic AIS boxes in the same room but about 6 ft apart. I find when i disconnect the power from the AIS box the fR24 starts to work better in radarview, the amount of AC it sees is much better when the AIS box is off. I have put an aluminum box beside the FR24 reciver, i have run the network and antenna cables separte through either end of the window in our spare room where i have the boxes mounted. I have wrapped the AIS box with tinfoil, maybe i need to wrap it better, not sure.

                  Anyhow let me know when you can

                  Thanks

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                  • #10
                    My receivers are about 1 meter apart.I do keep my microads-b receiver hanging on the end of LMR-400 cable almost on the floor but AIS receiver is on the desk.I did not experience any problem with interference or poor reception due to distance between them.Did you try to feed them from separate AC outlets or check grounding.Have no idea what else could cause the problem.

                    See you!

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by LDSP View Post
                      Did you try to feed them from separate AC outlets or check grounding.Have no idea what else could cause the problem.
                      Andrew has already been asked to run these and other checks via Support and I would recommend that he continues the dialogue offline as it will help resolve the issue more quickly.

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                      • #12
                        hi All, I just joined the FR24 feeders's club, just loaded and connected my dvb stick, I am using the small portable antenna that came with it, and once I receive the adaptor cable I will take a feed off my HDTV outside antenna, I am in Toronto alias cytz-6, the antenna is about 40' high, I know it is not the right antenna, but will it work satisfactorily, I cannot tell whether the desk top antenna I am currently using is actually feeding much data, I have not fully read enough to know the answer....cheers sam

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                        • #13
                          you can see how much data you are feeding in fr24 feeder software you are using. To see planes you can use VRS...ADSBscope....etc.
                          Regarding antenna, you should make one. There are tutorials in best antenna topic. You can make one with little money.
                          For official support use Contact Form

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