Messages

91

Technical Support / Re: Mode C and S detection - SkyDemon oddity...or not

« on: September 13, 2016, 03:40:19 pm »

I've just had chance to pop in to Wellesbourne and jump in to a plane - no flying so all of this was tested on the ground.

Wellesbourne QNH was 1008Mb as reported by the tower.
PAW QNH was 1009mb, QNE was 265ft and GNSS was 154ft.

On the ground there doesn't appear to be a major discrepancy - not sure how this translates to in the air though. I would guess the pressure could be quite different inside the cockpit to outside and hence the possible discrepancy?

If I get some aircraft time I'll try and see what the reported details are in the air.

Thanks
Rob

92

Technical Support / Re: Mode C and S detection - SkyDemon oddity...or not

« on: September 13, 2016, 12:26:05 am »

Hi Peter,

I'll definitely check that and report back.

One uncertainty - the day before I had a flight and had set the incorrect QNH - SkyDemon was reporting the correct altitude - I know this as it alerted me to airspace above at the same time a friendly controller did! Does SkyDemon use the barometric sensor from PAW? If so, I'm sure the sensor is fine.

Also the SkyDemon log from from flight to Jersey matches the altitudes I was flying - all assuming it's using the PAW sensor for this though.

Thanks
Rob

93

Technical Support / Re: Mode C and S detection - SkyDemon oddity...or not

« on: September 12, 2016, 10:31:54 pm »

Hi exfirepro,

Your trip sounds very interesting - mine was no where near as exciting! It was a great experience though - stopped off at Alderney on the way back - I was a passenger on the way back so managed to get some great photos.

I'm sure it was the club aircraft ahead and nothing behind - we were the last two across the water (us being the last plane). I tracked G-RU for a good 20 to 30 minutes and the alerts displayed the call sign and then the height (as I remember it). The alerts varied from -0.2 to -0.8 - there attitude seemed very stable to ours so not varying very much in that time. I've checked the SkyDemon log and my altitude was between 2200 and 2400 for the time we were behind G-RU - they were always above and ahead of us - at approximately 1 o'clock. We were in contact with various control zones and had no other reports of traffic behind and below - especially that close.

There's a possibility the PilotAware antenna was at an angle in my bag - I don't think this should effect the reading but just thought I'd mention it.

Thanks
Rob

94

Technical Support / Mode C and S detection - SkyDemon oddity...or not

« on: September 12, 2016, 03:17:44 pm »

Hi all,

Just got back from a fly out this weekend to Jersey with the club I am with - first trip across water and overseas and it was amazing.

I'm sure your not interested in my trip ramblings but spotted the following when I was flying over the water to Jersey - five aircraft made the trip and as I got over the water a bearing less alert appeared on SkyDemon - it was picking up one of the club planes. I spotted the reported aircraft - approximately 1/2 KM ahead and about 200 feet above. SkyDemon was reporting the aircraft as -0.2 - now I thought this meant they were below us and originally that's where my scan started. Does the -0.2 mean distance from my aircraft or is it height - it it's height is there any reason it was reported below (in my understanding) or am I understanding the -0.2 incorrectly and it means that my aircraft is 200 feet below the reported target.

Thanks
Rob

95

Technical Support / Re: Testing PilotAware setup in plane

« on: September 02, 2016, 04:54:18 pm »

Great points - thanks.

I'm planning on having the antennas and device in the back of the plane (rear seats) and don't believe the magnetic force would be strong enough to effect the compass in the front. Famous last words! :-)

Thanks
Rob

96

Technical Support / Re: Testing PilotAware setup in plane

« on: August 31, 2016, 01:01:01 pm »

Hi Peter,

That's great - thank you! I'll invest in some Velcro and a magnet to mount the ADS-B antenna on the ceiling of the aircraft.

I look forward to spotting some other P3i users out there - there is one very close to Wellesbourne but the signal always shows on the ground - gave me a quick scare when I thought I'd missed something on my visual scan. :-)

Thanks
Rob

97

Technical Support / Re: Testing PilotAware setup in plane

« on: August 31, 2016, 11:29:54 am »

Hi Peter,

That's really helpful - thank you. I've read the guides and forum post and will review some of the other forum posts that you mention.

In regards to keeping the aerials vertical - I'm sure upside down is fine - ie Velcro strip and then stuck to the ceiling. If I was to use the suckers for the side window in the rear, that would make the antenna vertical - would this cause a significant issue or just best practice? I'm also assuming that it doesn't matter where the Pi unit is located - the aerials (ADS-B specially) being the important factor?

Really appreciate the input.

Thanks
Rob

98

Technical Support / Re: Testing PilotAware setup in plane

« on: August 31, 2016, 10:28:00 am »

Hi Ian and Alan,

Thank you for the replies and advice - you have confirmed what I suspected - it's not an easy task to achieve! :-)

But great advice on the position of the antennas - I currently have them hanging over the back seats (PA28) but from your information below there is a good chance that the pilot, passenger and engine will be shielding the signal from the front. I think I'm going to investigate some magnetic Velcro that I can stick to the ceiling - this will then allow me to attach the ADS-B antenna and GPS antenna (I bought the one with a long wire) to the ceiling and hence give a good front view. Although I guess the engine would still be the problem when a plane is in front and below the aircraft.

Is it the ADS-B antenna that detects the Mode C and Mode S? I'm just thinking that I might only need to attach the ADS-B antenna to the ceiling?

Thanks for all your help - great product and support!
Rob

99

Technical Support / Testing PilotAware setup in plane

« on: August 31, 2016, 12:09:34 am »

Hi folks,

I fly various aircraft from the club and this was one of the reasons I wanted a portable traffic solution and hence PilotAware.

One item I've struggled with is testing the functionality and install. Is there anyway of testing if I have the antennas positioned in the optimal way? On flights I detect traffic but don't know if it is picking up 360 degree traffic or if one of the antennas is shielded by something in the plane.

Thanks
Rob