Just adding my comments to this topic. I was in the same position as others here, I initially had a Zaon MRX running, experimented with PAW, built my first unit using the original bridge, continued experimenting more but eventually put it away, similar as others have done, basically because there were cables everywhere and it looked a mess. Then last year I bought a Flarm Eagle and connected it up to my PAW and since then it is incredible the number of gliders I have been able to spot. At that point I really looked at antenna positioning, found a nice box to contain it all, tidied it up, since then never looked back..
The picture below is a screenshot of a glider circling 200 feet above me. Without Flarm added to PAW, the chances are, I might not have known, especially as I tend to fly outside the reach of stations where OGN could be transmitted to me.
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The cost of Flarm Eagle was around €700 and the range is more than adequate - I tested the reception range of my PowerFlarm and was being seen 40km away. Even if Gliders transmit at a lower power level and I only get to see them from 5km, they will still see me a looooong way off....
Also, with Flarm Eagle, I have been able to remove the GPS from the PAW, using just the GPS from the Flarm Eagle so fewer cables and it works better than (e.g.) the Flarm Mouse GPS seemed to perform (however my plane is admittedly a plastic airplane so I don't know how it's suitability in your typical P28A / C172 Spam Can would be
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Since adding the Flarm Eagle, I don't fly anywhere without PAW on, it works and I see so much traffic whereas in the past, I thought I was truly on my own, in this big open sky so if you're doubting it, I would certainly recommend you spend the time and money to get the system running. I also spent the time sorting my aerials, tidying the cables up - the installation now looks clean.
The competition I used to run during a flight - you know the one: - who spots traffic first, one of my passengers or I - has now become a competition: - who spots traffic before PAW / Flarm does? Flarm / PAW is winning by around 2000:0 - at least, I can't recall not seeing an aircraft without it being on my screen.....
The lower picture was a screenshot taken on a day with cloud ceilings at 1200 feet, I was scud running and had just departed from EDLB and was heading toward EDDG - the turn north after departure was to set me on direct track towards my destination. You can see the two dutch aircraft flying close to each other at my height. Once they became visible on my system, I diverted east and flew in behind them. Just imagine neither of us knew the other were there.....
At the end of the day, the lookout still needs to be as vigilant as ever but to be honest, seeing 90% of the traffic out there electronically is better than only seeing (e.g.) 50% and missing the rest....
*server where the picture is hosted is offline between 2am and 8am to save energy