GPS Options

[P1LTS]

Hi all, newbie question:-

I am considering purchasing a Pilotaware setup, but have a few queries before I commit.

My current setup is:- Skydemon on iPad mini with bluetooth Garmin Glo GPS. I also have a trig TT21 and Garmin GPS296.

I opted for the Garmin Glo as the accuracy/reliability was assured.

I am correct in thinking that if I installed Pilotaware then the positioning information reported to Skydemon would be from the PA GPS dongle as opposed to the bluetooth connected Garmin Glo?

I ask because whilst all of the features that PA offers, I really do not wish to compromise the accuracy and reliability that my current Skydemon / Garmin Glo setup currently provides.

Thanks

[exfirepro]

Hi P1LTS,

I also use SkyDemon on an iPad mini with PilotAware. The standard SD setup uses the PilotAware to provide both GPS and Traffic data even if the tablet has its own built in GPS - (the PilotAware GPS is generally far more accurate than most inbuilt GPS systems).

AFAIK it is NOT possible to take Traffic data from an external system at the same time as taking GPS data from a separate device via Bluetooth. (I can't remember actually seeing this specified as such in the 'normal' SD setup - I'd need to check back the Manuals, but the latest SD iPad 'Beta' software (which I am running) specifically prohibits selecting a 3rd Party Traffic Device in its Connectivity Settings if using a Bluetooth GPS Receiver.)

I would certainly have no concerns about using the PilotAware GPS instead of your Garmin Glo as PilotAware GPS Data is very reliable, provided the unit is correctly sited. There is however nothing to stop you leaving the Glo 'in situ' as a 'backup' which will allow you to revert to 'Location Services', should you ever need to. (I actually run with a dedicated iPad 'Bad Elf' from pre-PAW days permanently connected, though I can't remember ever having had the need to use it since converting to PilotAware.)

Hope this helps.

Regards

Peter

[Paul_Sengupta]

The PilotAware GPS is a WAAS/EGNOS GPS so will be every bit as accurate as the GLO, if you need to know where you are to a couple of metres rather than 10 metres or so for a non-WAAS GPS. 

Sky Demon doesn't give the option of taking traffic data from one source and GPS data from another. Some other bits of software do allow it, but Sky Demon don't.

[exfirepro]

P1LTS,

I knew there was a ‘technical’ explanation supporting the accuracy of the PilotAware GPS over normal tablet internal GPS, but couldn’t find it in my brain last night - thanks Paul, very clearly explained!

Not that it makes any significant difference to how SD uses GPS data, but I should probably have said that for my ‘main’ setup I have PAW semi-permanently fitted inside the pod on my aircraft, so use an extended GPS ‘mouse’ placed out in the clear where it has the best view of the sky, with remotely mounted antennas and this setup works very reliably indeed. There are lots of alternative options available - just ask if you need any help.

Do you know you can also connect PilotAware to supply GPS Data to your Trig TT21 to ‘upgrade’ it to Mode S -ES (ADSB-Out)? This is normally a fairly straightforward operation requiring the addition of a simple USB to RS232 data cable and altering a few settings in your Trig and PilotAware, which I have done / assisted other owners with many times now.

Best Regards

Peter

[P1LTS]

Thanks all.

as you can probably understand, I was just a little concerned about potentially degrading the reliability of my navigation setup.

I was aware that the TT21 can be fed the GPS data. I had plans to actually feed this info from the GPS296, but it may be simpler/more convenient to supply this info from PA.

If I proceed, I would like to make the installation permanent.

As my aircraft has the mode S TT21, how do you prevent PA from "seeing" your own aircraft. i.e. do you end up with 2 overlayed aircraft on SD? (your own GPS position and the mode S/ADS-B return)

Does anybody have any photos of the antennas installed permanently on the aircraft? i.e. the PA Tx/Rx antenna and the ADS-B receive antenna?

What about range? My TT21 is 50W output form memory. I note that the PA output is only 500mW. this must have an effect on range but I am assuming that as so many people are using PA it cant be too much of an issue.

Sorry for all of the questions, I am probably just better buying the kit and "having a play"

[mmcp42]

one of the setup parameters is to tell it your own Mode S number
guess it filters that out

[Paul_Sengupta]

Yes, you tell the PilotAware your hex code for your transponder/aircraft (you can get it from G-INFO) and it'll filter out your own transponder.

As for power levels, yes, there is a huge difference. PilotAware to PilotAware is good for about 10-20 miles, depending on antenna positioning...sufficient for the purpose of traffic avoidance. However with transponders with ADS-B, you'll get far more range. Again, depending on antenna positioning and transponder power, it's not unusual to see traffic 200 miles away.

[exfirepro]

P1LTS,

Optimal antenna type and position will vary depending on the aircraft. There are plenty of different types (of aircraft and antenna) in use by PAW owners on the Forum, so lots of potential info available. What type of aircraft are you using?

BTW, the nominal power output of the TT21 is 130 Watts, so it makes a very effective ADSB transmitter, though we don't normally need anything like that range for GA aircraft avoidance. (For comparison, commercial ADSB transmits in the region of 500 Watts and FLARM / PowerFLARM - 10 or 25 milliWatts respectively).

Regards

Peter

[P1LTS]

Thanks for the info.

Aircraft is a Skyranger. I'll have a trawl around and see if I can find others that have posted about installation details in the same aircraft type.