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  • Originally posted by peterhr View Post
    See http://www.modesbeast.com/radarcape-weblog.html - then just add some dangly wires to LED's etc

    Mention has been made to a Trimble GPS puck (I think?)

    This may be the antenna - would need someone to verify ... http://f5ann.pagesperso-orange.fr/An...MHz/index.html

    The whole kit certainly fits in a box with about a 15" side (I suspect the antenna cable coil is the biggest item).
    The antenna supplied by FR24 has a 0db gain. It is a 1090SJ Mk2 made by VHF Teknik AB Sweden. I recall Mike mentioned this somewhere in the forum but I can't locate it. It was originally sold by Solid State Electronics at Southampton, UK but this was discontinued. I think it is about 38cm in length?

    The PCB antenna made by F5ANN ( not the active one ) measures 13.8cm only. I just measured it, I have one as spare.
    Last edited by North Borneo Radar; 2013-10-12, 23:47.

    Comment


    • Originally posted by 1090 MHz View Post
      The only problem with doing that up here in Canada, is if the radio failed in the winter, you sure don't want to be climbing a tower in a -23*c winter. Also the FR24 radio is most likely is not rated for operation in that low a temperature. The best solution for this environment is to use the best low loss cable like LMR-400, and place the radio as close as possible to where the cable enters the building. This is what I did... the radio is always accessible, and is in a dry and temperature controlled area.
      True indeed, weather has to be taken into account. Sometimes being accessible to the receiver helps if something happens.

      Lucky you having such a fantastic view for ADS-B. 360 degree wise. Some of us got trees or tall building that reduces our range. Enjoy though!

      Comment


      • Originally posted by 1090 MHz View Post
        Check now, F-CYYZ2 is NOW officially installed. The Antenna is now on the tower. I can see a huge improvement.. not only that, it seems like every plane in the area, for miles around, is using my station F-CYYZ2. Even planes on the ground at Toronto Pearson International Airport (CYYZ) are favoring F-CYYZ2 so that tells me it's working really well !

        See my site for lots of photos of today's installation. http://ADS-B.ca
        Another T-Feeder bites the Dust...
        Andy T-KTIK1

        RPI - http://Temporarily off Line due to t...98.37.214:8080

        Comment


        • Why didn't you place the equipment in the antic instead of basement ?

          The cable run could be shorter.
          F-WSSS1 - Cats refused to Pee & Pooh on RadarBox - Running a FR24 Receiver & DVB-T Dongle 24/7 to piss off The Chief Thief.

          Comment


          • Originally posted by 1090 MHz View Post
            The only problem with doing that up here in Canada, is if the radio failed in the winter, you sure don't want to be climbing a tower in a -23*c winter. Also the FR24 radio is most likely is not rated for operation in that low a temperature. The best solution for this environment is to use the best low loss cable like LMR-400, and place the radio as close as possible to where the cable enters the building. This is what I did... the radio is always accessible, and is in a dry and temperature controlled area.
            I am lucky in respect of weather... I don't have to climb a tower in bad weather, nor my antenna is affected by strong winds, as all my equipment including my antenna is inside my apartment, which is 60 feet above ground. I get a coverage of over 450 km with home-made indoor antenna. The only problem is that I am totally blocked in one direction by my building

            Comment


            • Originally posted by Birdie View Post
              Why didn't you place the equipment in the antic instead of basement ?

              The cable run could be shorter.
              The attic of my home is uninsulated and subjected to the same cold outside winter temperatures, even worse is in the summer attic temperatures can build up to as high as 70*c. It's a harsh environment to place sensitive electronic equipment, it's also hard to access via a trap door.

              Total LMR-400 cable length is 48 feet, from antenna to radio. LMR-400 has 1/4 the loss over the thin coax RG58, so 48 feet of LMR-400 is like 12 feet of RG58. I'm seeing aircraft at the maximum known threshold of 400 Km, so I know it's working well. In my opinion I don't think there is anything else that could be done to improve anything as it's working as best as possible as is. 400 Km seems to be the maximum LoS distance before the planes drop behind the horizon.

              Here is a photo of my attic if you're interested.
              Attached Files
              www.ADS-B.ca

              Comment


              • Originally posted by Mike View Post
                We just received this antenna to our office and will perform some tests within the next weeks.

                https://www.dropbox.com/s/2s97kyc9ul...2011.20.29.jpg
                Hi Mike,

                any chance of an update or initial impression of the antenna? Almost 8 weeks now...
                Last edited by North Borneo Radar; 2013-10-13, 08:47. Reason: typo

                Comment


                • Originally posted by 1090 MHz View Post
                  The attic of my home is uninsulated and subjected to the same cold outside winter temperatures, even worse is in the summer attic temperatures can build up to as high as 70*c. It's a harsh environment to place sensitive electronic equipment, it's also hard to access via a trap door.

                  Total LMR-400 cable length is 48 feet, from antenna to radio. LMR-400 has 1/4 the loss over the thin coax RG58, so 48 feet of LMR-400 is like 12 feet of RG58. I'm seeing aircraft at the maximum known threshold of 400 Km, so I know it's working well. In my opinion I don't think there is anything else that could be done to improve anything as it's working as best as possible as is. 400 Km seems to be the maximum LoS distance before the planes drop behind the horizon.

                  Here is a photo of my attic if you're interested.
                  I had a problem in attenuation due to length & quality of coax cable, as my computer is located about 70 ft from my window/Antenna. I have purchased RG6U from a Dollar Shop (75 ft for $5), The loss/attenuation was so huge, I could see aircrafts 100 kms range. When I checked with a laptop placed few feet from antenna, I got about 400 kM range. I then purchased an in-Line amplifier for $4, a 110vAC to 15V DC convertor for $3.5 and built myself a power injector (Bias-T) using very cheap parts costing about $5. Now I get a range over 450 km with indoor antenna.

                  Please see these web pages for in-Line amplifier, and Store Location in Toronto/Markham/Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, from wher I purchased the inLine Amplifier:

                  InLine Amplifier Details: http://sayal.com/zinc/zinc_SEARCH.as...ellite&x=0&y=0

                  Store Locations: http://sayal.com/zinc/zinc_contactus.asp

                  NOTE: this store DOES NOT sell online.
                  .
                  Last edited by abcd567; 2013-10-13, 13:03.

                  Comment


                  • Originally posted by abcd567 View Post
                    I had a problem in attenuation due to length & quality of coax cable, as my computer is located about 70 ft from my window/Antenna. I have purchased RG6U from a Dollar Shop (75 ft for $5), The loss/attenuation was so huge, I could see aircrafts 100 kms range. When I checked with a laptop placed few feet from antenna, I got about 400 kM range. I then purchased an in-Line amplifier for $4, a 110vAC to 15V DC convertor for $3.5 and built myself a power injector (Bias-T) using very cheap parts costing about $5. Now I get a range over 450 km with indoor antenna.

                    Please see these web pages for in-Line amplifier, and Store Location in Toronto/Markham/Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, from wher I purchased the inLine Amplifier:

                    InLine Amplifier Details: http://sayal.com/zinc/zinc_SEARCH.as...ellite&x=0&y=0

                    Store Locations: http://sayal.com/zinc/zinc_contactus.asp

                    NOTE: this store DOES NOT sell online.
                    .
                    Power injector http://www.ebay.com/itm/281112553283

                    Do a search on Ebay for in line amplifier ... there are loads out there.

                    Don't forget you might want some self amalgamating tape too

                    Comment


                    • Originally posted by peterhr View Post
                      Power injector http://www.ebay.com/itm/281112553283

                      Do a search on Ebay for in line amplifier ... there are loads out there.

                      Don't forget you might want some self amalgamating tape too
                      Thanks for information about availability of inLine amplifier and power injector at eBay.

                      At first I have ordered inLine Amplifier from eBay, but its performance was far below what i needed. I then purchased one (RCA make @ $4) from a store in my neighbourhood, and it proved to be very good. As regards power injector, since it is so simple, I decided to go for DIY home-brew. Please see attached camera pictures + Schematic for my arrangement:

                      9rv.gif tt0.gif pm5.gif ccyv.jpg
                      Last edited by abcd567; 2013-10-13, 19:49.

                      Comment


                      • Originally posted by abcd567 View Post
                        Thanks for information about availability of inLine amplifier and power injector at eBay.

                        At first I have ordered inLine Amplifier from eBay, but its performance was far below what i needed. I then purchased one (RCA make @ $4) from a store in my neighbourhood, and it proved to be very good. As regards power injector, since it is so simple, I decided to go for DIY home-brew. Please see attached camera pictures + Schematic for my arrangement:

                        [ATTACH=CONFIG]2761[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]2760[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]2763[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]2762[/ATTACH]
                        Can you tell me how many amps your PSU for the amp is Please. I have the same In-line amp but doesn't seem to want to work with two. One at the mast head and one half way down the line about 25 feet or so from my dongle. My PSU is 15 volts at 200ma. I'm guessing that's where my problem is. Works on one mast head amp but not two. I'm not sure what the max current these things can handle.
                        Andy T-KTIK1

                        RPI - http://Temporarily off Line due to t...98.37.214:8080

                        Comment


                        • Originally posted by andyk1 View Post
                          Can you tell me how many amps your PSU for the amp is Please. I have the same In-line amp but doesn't seem to want to work with two. One at the mast head and one half way down the line about 25 feet or so from my dongle. My PSU is 15 volts at 200ma. I'm guessing that's where my problem is. Works on one mast head amp but not two. I'm not sure what the max current these things can handle.
                          Possibly you're over-driving and saturating the 2nd amp, you'll see no signal out if this happens.
                          www.ADS-B.ca

                          Comment


                          • Originally posted by andyk1 View Post
                            Can you tell me how many amps your PSU for the amp is Please. I have the same In-line amp but doesn't seem to want to work with two. One at the mast head and one half way down the line about 25 feet or so from my dongle. My PSU is 15 volts at 200ma. I'm guessing that's where my problem is. Works on one mast head amp but not two. I'm not sure what the max current these things can handle.
                            Each of my two inLine amplifier units (Photo 1) take 25-40 mA .
                            My Power Supply Unit (Photo 2) is rated for 14V DV, 350 mA, and can easily supply 8 amplifiers.

                            Photo 1 : DSC02678.gif
                            Photo 2 : DSC02675.gif
                            Last edited by abcd567; 2013-10-14, 17:34.

                            Comment


                            • Originally posted by abcd567 View Post
                              Each of my two inLine amplifier units (Photo 1) take 25-40 mA .
                              My Power Supply Unit (Photo 2) is rated for 14V DV, 350 mA, and can easily supply 8 amplifiers.

                              Photo 1 : [ATTACH=CONFIG]2764[/ATTACH]
                              Photo 2 : [ATTACH=CONFIG]2765[/ATTACH]
                              Yep, Strange as it is mine won't work with two amps connected at the same time. With one at the mast head works great. Thanks for the response. Then again maybe I do need a more power going to both.
                              Andy T-KTIK1

                              RPI - http://Temporarily off Line due to t...98.37.214:8080

                              Comment


                              • Originally posted by 1090 MHz View Post
                                Possibly you're over-driving and saturating the 2nd amp, you'll see no signal out if this happens.
                                Ok I thought I didn't have enough power going to them both.
                                Andy T-KTIK1

                                RPI - http://Temporarily off Line due to t...98.37.214:8080

                                Comment

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