New Zealand Radar

[scanhorse]

Hi NZ, Earthquake ?? NZCH

Hi
I see on TV
and I talked to my friend in Christch.
He say it was on other side of city from where he lives , Thanks God
He was lucky again

Anybody else from CH have any experience ??

Ulf

[Oblivian]

Thanks for asking ulf.

Im in the thick of it. Digging out the house of silt/mud today.

Will post some pics later on of my area

[scanhorse]

Many flights into and out of Christchurch Airport resume

Thursday, 16 June 2011, 1:08 pm
Press Release: Christchurch International Airport

Many flights into and out of Christchurch Airport will resume this afternoon.

“Both domestic and international flights will be operating this afternoon,” said CIAL Chief Executive Jim Boult. “In fact, passengers are checking in right now.”

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1106/S00509/many-flights-into-and-out-of-christchurch-airport-resume.htm

[scanhorse]

Old bird steps in after flights cancelled

Before flights resumed, some passengers made alternative arrangements. A Christchurch-based DC3 aircraft called "Lady Jane" was pressed into service.
“We fly below 10,000 feet, it's got Preatt and Whitney engines, 14 cylinders per engine,” says Southern DC3’s Geoff Cambridge.

http://www.3news.co.nz/Old-bird-steps-in-after-flights-cancelled/tabid/423/articleID/215377/Default.aspx

[Oblivian]

I've been based at the airport for the last 3 weeks doing IT support.
It was strange not seeing the early morning flights departing when approaching the airfield, Or hearing the roar of engines until very late yesterday (Thursday)

The skies are once again buzzing here with as many flights getting in/out as possible. The cloud has reportedly drifted off to the eastern coast of the Island, where there are few regular waypoints opposed to the trans-tasman constant stream of routes.

On the bright side, It is making for some beautiful sunset and sunrises. And making the earthquake cleanup job here in christchurch that much easier.

I also have my own micro ADS-B unit confirmed enroute from Bulgaria to me. I expect it within the next 2 weeks.

Is there any good freeware/GNU software available for plotting the data similar to acarsd is to acars, or do I need commercial SW like planespotter etc.

[Oblivian]

Christchurch secondary ADS-B has arrived!

Hi guys,

My MircoADSB unit has arrived... well, it got here earlier in the week and the local postal used our damaged ground as reason to not deliver to my home. But I have it now! I am sitting in my office at the airport as we speak tracking on the laptop, have had flights reach out as far as approx 50km with the standard shipped antenna 2m up in between some buildings

So if someone wants to point my nose in the direction of the upload software I'll see if I can arrange to get some backup data to you

On a sadder note, my house has been flagged in what is known as the 'red zone' Which means the land is no longer viable to repair/rebuild. As a result we have 9 months to take up a government buy-out offer and find new dwellings, so not sure on how good my future line of sight may be.. Especially if I end up migrating to australia.

[NZCH]

Sorry to hear about your house situation Oblivian. I suggest you contact Mike at flightradar24 regarding the software requirements for the microADSB.
I would also consider a dedicated antenna for the microADSB receiver. The discone you have there will not be the most suitable. I believe Hitec aerials in Christchurch may be able to assist you. Give Greg a call. Sorry I don't have the number.
Brent

[nzradar]

Hi Craig,

Here's Martins contact details at Hi-Tec.

Hi-Tec Aerials NZ ltd,
Unit 1/14 Kennaway Road,
PO Box 19-803,
Woolston,
Christchurch NZ

Phone: ++64 3 384 3375
Fax: ++64 3 982 3376
Email: martin@hi-tec-aerials.co.nz

https://www.hi-tec-aerials.co.nz

[Oblivian]

Cheers guys.

Yeah, I wasn't expecting to go all out and have extreme coverage out of the blocks from where I am with the stock antenna. But am quietly surprised I can get 30-40k into the northern ILS approach with it sitting in the guttering outside my window on the south facing side

Weighing up the options for antenna position/type before I go too nuts and spend money to find it only has to come down in 8 months time when I move :/



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[Oblivian]

Small update: It appears that planeplotter is smarter, or a lot more sensitive than adsbplotter. I get a lot more detailed data/distance. However it also corresponds with the change in flight levels since the ash has moved off.

I have now got the data dumping to SQLdbase via the guide and java app that Mike (nzradar) suggested. But as usual no idea what to do with it afterward (yet)

Some of the pass-over routes I pick up as far as 40nm away either direction. Not bad for the stock antenna at gutter level on the side of the roof!
Low loss cellfoil coax from my Wifi days is at the ready. As is where to purchase pigtail adaptor and antenna in comming weekends. So in due time will see how much I can extend my range. I don't expect similar results to you guys (100s of miles) but hopefully enough to keep me impressed

[zkdan]

Is the Auckland radar down at the moment?

[nzradar]

Nope, I can see aircraft in and out of Auckland as at 2200 local today 4th July 2011.

[Oblivian]

I initially replied and said it appeared broken.. but seems back. But I notice its NZAA1 now It was awful quiet mid last week for a day or so

[delcomp]

I belive there are two radars in AKL(Stand to be corrected),.. the original NZAA.
and one actually on the airport NZAA1.

Would appreciate if anyone can correct me, or otherwise

regards All,.. David

[NZCH]

We could probably use a backup for Auckalnd. Also for Wellington it would be nice to cover the area that NZPM does not cover.
I am not sure about The southern part of NZ as there are two areas that could use coverage. NZDN and NZQN.
When NZCH is on it covers both at altitudes above 15,000 ft. Below that we need receivers at both locations. This may be a converation which needs to be had with Mike at flightradar24.com as to how he has handled this situatrion in the past.
Regards,
Brent (NZCH) currently in Melbourne