Topics

1

General Discussion / All a bit confusing - Any Help Please?

« on: June 12, 2016, 09:59:39 am »

Hi Folks,

I've been away for a few weeks and returned to the great news about PilotAware upgrades etc, but I'm a tad confused about getting the various discounts etc.

I produced 2 PilotAware units (one for my own aircraft and another where I have a share).  The first unit produced was the very basic self-soldering jobwith the various boards and altimeter chips etc. (that still works perfectly), and the second used the ARF plug and play board - both based on the Pi B+ Board etc.

Due to the various issues with wi-fi dongles we had (we all remember these), I have a number of wi-fi access codes supplied, and I 'think' I have recorded somewhere the codes I actually use.

Now to the questions:

1.  What code is required to obtain the upgrade discount - the wi-fi dongle code or the license number?
2.  Where can I find these codes?
3.  Can I get more than one discount as I manufactured and use 2 units?
4.  Do I really have to return the old kit as we use these units on a regular basis?
5.  If I do need to return the old kit, what's the turnaround time?

Any help and clarity much appreciated.

Thanks

Hugh

2

General Discussion / USB Dongles fit and Overheating

« on: October 11, 2015, 05:51:39 pm »

Hi Folks,

I have 2 units up and running (one prototype and the other for a colleague), and one of build for another colleague.

I received my USB GPS dongle yesterday, and found that when plugging the WiFi, ADS-B and GPS dongles in at the same time, the 4 port USB becomes a tad tight.

I powered up my prototype and started a 2 hours soak test to see how hot the USB ports and dongles became.

After about an hour and half, my iPad mini SkyDemon lost GPS and traffic, and my WiFi dongle stopped flashing.

After removing the Wi-Fi dongle (and dropping it very quickly), it was almost too hot to touch.  After it cooled down, I tried to re-boot but no joy with the WiFi dongle; all was fine using a stand-by dongle.

It appears that I have cooked the wi-fi dongle, but I did notice also that the ADS-B dongle also got quite hot.

My current solution is to plug the ADS-B dongle into the unit, and run the wi-fi and GPS on USB extension leads; WITHOUT any loss of performance.

Just wondered if any other users has experienced similar issues and what has been done to mitigate the high temps.

Thanks in advance.

Hugh

3

General Discussion / UBlox-7 USB-GPS Availability

« on: October 06, 2015, 07:03:23 pm »

Ho Folks,

I have a UBlox-7 on its way, but I'm trying to order another 2 units, and all UK stockists appear to be dry (too may of us building PilotAware) 

Anyone know of a UK stockist with some of these units?  Or do I have to get some from the US or China (quality of the latter is a concern).

Many thanks.

4

General Discussion / It's not working!

« on: October 04, 2015, 02:30:26 pm »

Hi Folks,

Firstly - I can receive just fine.

Just finished constructing the ARF/Pressure/Temp/Slice of POD method.

1. Boots up fine.
2. All tests OK - except for:
3. Failed at ARF-SER both 9600 and 57600 and get the "configuration failed message" 
4. When I use without plugging in the Slice of POD/ARF/Pressure board, I get both the Green activity and Red power LEDs on the Pi, and can receive fine.
5. When I plug in the slice of POD etc board I only get the green activity light, no power but I still receive traffic, and of course the "configuration failed" error message with the ARF-SER.

My power supply is this one:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MTX9GD8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01

Any help - much appreciated.

Hugh

5

General Discussion / PilotAware.20150926

« on: September 28, 2015, 06:07:02 pm »

Lee,

I installed the latest release of both PilotAware and CollisonAware; the good thing is that the connection to my iPad mini is very stable now and have been in test mode for a few hours already (all be it in receive mode only, as I have just ordered the ARF board).

One thing I did notice on SkyDemon is that the aircraft icons are showing what looks like the transponder Hex codes in addition to the +/- altitude etc.  This seems to clutter up the screen somewhat, and I can't see the value add of having these codes displayed....any chance of removing them from the display, or is this a feature that has been requested specifically?

Great work - really chuffed with the unit - and so were some of my flying buddies at Blackbushe!

Hugh

6

General Discussion / First Time Builder

« on: September 23, 2015, 06:42:40 pm »

Hi Folks,

All bits arrived except the compact ARF transceiver - have noted the other posts on when/if they are expected to come into stock again.

Also decided to go for the slice of POD construction after reading through the various threads etc.

A quick question on the ADS-B Receiver Dongle - I'm assuming (gulp) that the remote control, install CD and ariel are not used, and the signal for the ADS-B USB dongle is via the ARF transceiver when fitted - or am I totally wrong!

Many thanks - and don't be surprised if I ask a few more questions along the way....   

Hugh