PilotAware
British Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: brinzlee on May 26, 2017, 01:01:34 pm
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I got a Stratux case the other day.....and in my application it works really well.....It has a screw for mounting to a window sucker on the back of the case. The GPS stuck on the top with hot glue and lead shortened, the ADSB receiver antenna replaced by a NooElec 1090 mhz. And with easy access protected lid to cover the USB and Network ports. And plenty of holes for cooling....
Available from Amazon as has been mentioned in previous threads.
Brinsley
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Stratux+case
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Brinsley, can you photograph it in operating orientation? Your photos may give the wrong impression that it is either GPS up and the two antenna are horizontal. Or that the antenna is vertical, and the GPS is on its side.
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Nice work Brinsley. It will be interesting to see what the effect of having the two antenna that close together will be.
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I've had the two antennas that close for a year now - no noticeable effect.
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I reckon with a quick guide to the extra parts the antenna etc this will encourage better take up, single piece unit.
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Hi,
I made one last Week too. You have to move the hole for the PAW Bridge slightly and make a new hole for the ADSB antenna lower down and add an extension patch lead for it. It all works a treat. My GPS is internal with the covers removed also fitted with the Tuned 1090 Mhz antenna for the ADSB.
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I think we've started something here.....Looks good Richard
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That form factor will appeal to a lot of naysayers
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Velcro an Anker (sic) battery on the bottom of that and you've got a very flexible product. Stand alone for moving between aircraft, or plug in to aircraft power and/or aircraft aerials if equipped.
A perfect answer to the 'too many cables/aerials' brigade.
Well done
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Nice work guys !! ;) :)
Regards
Peter
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Here is my variation of the same case. I have gone for an antenna at each end. Now I need to see if it is possible to provide fan cooling.
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I have just received this case and will fit the PAW unit when I get time.
Question in respect of the RTL-SDR Antenna; Can this be replaced by using the NooElec 1090Mhz antenna? Have seen on Amazon, that you can get different one's including a pair 1090 & 978 MHZ. I am not an expert on anything 'wigglyamp' or radio waves!
Sean
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Sean,
Yes, you can replace the RTL-SDR antenna with the NooElec version, but 'our' SDR dongle uses an MCX connector, whereas the NooElecs use SMA (the same as our P3i, so be careful not to mix the antennas up).The NooElec SDR 'pairs' are designed for the US market, where 1090MHz is used for ADSB in the same manner as in the UK and 978MHz is used for a secondary 'rebroadcast and information'' channel. This frequency is NOT available in the UK or Europe, so this dongle is of no use here.
You can of course buy NooElec 1090Mhz antennas and SDR dongles separately. Just be careful what you are buying.
Regards
Peter
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Many thanks Peter :)
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excellent thread
just to be sure I'm getting the right thing (I have the case)
is this (https://www.amazon.co.uk/NooElec-ADS-B-Discovery-Antenna-Bundle/dp/B01FS0GI0W/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1498554629&sr=1-3-spons&keywords=1090mhz+ads-b+antenna&psc=1) the antenna?
I'm guessing it's the 1090MHz one I actually want?
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Yep,
NooElec also do a kit with 5dBi gain antennas, but they are longer and definitely NOT necessary for 1090MHz reception as you will easily pick up aircraft from over 100 miles out. The unfortunate thing with both these kits (as stated in one of my earlier posts) is that the 978MHz band antennas are of no real use to us for PilotAware as this frequency is not available for use in the UK, though they will in fact 'work' as receive only antennas - just not quite as well as the 'tuned to 1090' version - though in practice you might not notice much difference.
Do NOT be tempted to try 'out of tune' antennas on the P3i side though. At only 500mW maximum legal output, trying to run an 'out of tune' antenna on this side of PilotAware would have a seriously negative effect on transmission and reception range.
Regards
Peter
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thanks - ordered!
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I have been using the Stratux case too, you need to drill out a couple of holes and the fan mounting needs removing or so I found!
but the case is great and works very well.
I also added a heatsink to the ADS-B receiver which helps stop the USB ports getting so hot you can't touch them!
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Nice one Wadoadi,
Not sure your GPS will maintain a good fix sitting vertical though - or do you set the box down flat in flight with the antennas rotated 90 degrees into the vertical?
Regards
Peter
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Be very careful mounting the antenna sockets with the elongated holes on the end of these cases. I am not sure if the antenna socket on the bridge came loose or got knocked, but the result was that it ripped it out of the board. I really thought that the board was a write-off but I have managed to install a new antenna socket and have strengthened the mounting by also gluing it, having soldered and tested for continuity and short circuits first. I am now going to glue a piece of plasticard to the inside and outside of the casing so I only have single holes as this will prevent any movement.
If anybody finds one of these Stratux cases with out any drillings in the end, please post here.
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@Peter Thank you, in answer to your questions I fly with the aerials straight and the GPS is vertical. So far after replacing the first GPS unit which had other issues, I have not had a problem. I fly a C42 and place it in the door pocket.
@roweda Thanks I will watch out for that I may also strengthen it too.
I too would love one of these cases made for PilotAware with the correct drilling etc and would swap my existing one out for it, but until then this is the best solution I believe.
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I made a 3D printed case for mine. The switch on the front is an audio mute.
If anyone wants the .stl file I will post it.
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Looks very smart.
Regards
Peter
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I made a 3D printed case for mine. The switch on the front is an audio mute.
If anyone wants the .stl file I will post it.
like it
there must be a market for this
do you want to make one for sale? :)
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Thanks, I used two tones to match the glareshield and the headlining of the cockpit. Not really looking to make them it really is just a hobby project, but the file could be uploaded to a 3D printing service and someone could make a batch.
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can you send me the file please?
I'll investigate costs for getting some made
cheers
PS PM'd my details!
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Could you up the the file?
Maybe there should be a new thread for 3D printed case where people can upload their designs?
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Good idea
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Lee could add them to the Ecosystem section?
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Lee could add them to the Ecosystem section?
Done!
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thanks Ian
link below in case (pun intended) any finds this thread and can't find the new one!
http://forum.pilotaware.com/index.php/topic,961.0.html (http://forum.pilotaware.com/index.php/topic,961.0.html)
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hmm there does not seem to be a way to comment on the posts in the new location, or is that just me?
I would like to ask Howard ( @Pilot H ) for a picture of the inside with all the components fitted...
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hmm there does not seem to be a way to comment on the posts in the new location, or is that just me?
I would like to ask Howard ( @Pilot H ) for a picture of the inside with all the components fitted...
Yes the ecosystem is readonly, but you can refer to it by posting a link, eg
http://forum.pilotaware.com/index.php/topic,961.0.html
Thx
Lee
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Just got my hands on one of these cases, so time to move on from the standard case I had drilled holes in and cable tied all sorts to the outside :D
Maybe a bit of a strange question, but (other than de-soldering and adding one myself) is there any chance of there being a version of the PAW Bridge with an internal antennae connector to enable me to position both antennae where I want them? (ie. both on the side or top as the PAW bridge SMA connector doesn't line up with the hole on the stratux case)
I realise this may be a bit of a niche request but just thought I would throw it out there!
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Just got my hands on one of these cases, so time to move on from the standard case I had drilled holes in and cable tied all sorts to the outside :D
Maybe a bit of a strange question, but (other than de-soldering and adding one myself) is there any chance of there being a version of the PAW Bridge with an internal antennae connector to enable me to position both antennae where I want them? (ie. both on the side or top as the PAW bridge SMA connector doesn't line up with the hole on the stratux case)
I realise this may be a bit of a niche request but just thought I would throw it out there!
To make a change such as this, we would likely have to rerun all the ETSI testing to ensure this does not alter the harmonic distortion - not an easy or inexpensive task I'm afraid
Thx
Lee
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Just got my hands on one of these cases, so time to move on from the standard case I had drilled holes in and cable tied all sorts to the outside :D
Maybe a bit of a strange question, but (other than de-soldering and adding one myself) is there any chance of there being a version of the PAW Bridge with an internal antennae connector to enable me to position both antennae where I want them? (ie. both on the side or top as the PAW bridge SMA connector doesn't line up with the hole on the stratux case)
I realise this may be a bit of a niche request but just thought I would throw it out there!
To make a change such as this, we would likely have to rerun all the ETSI testing to ensure this does not alter the harmonic distortion - not an easy or inexpensive task I'm afraid
Thx
Lee
No problem, I figured it might be more hassle than it was worth!
I've included a few pictures of how it turned out for anyone else who is tempted, I think they look pretty smart in these cases! :) (edit: sorry about the quality, needed to make the files smaller to upload but if anyone wants to see better pictures just drop me an email / pm)
The only modifications needed where to slightly extend the one hole for the P3i antennae on the PAW Bridge as it doesn't quite line up with the pre-drilled holes in the case. The ADSB antennae is connected with a short pigtail to give me a second slightly offset SMA connector. I have also removed the covers from both the GPS and the SDR to minimise the heat build up and allow the air to cool them down a bit easier. Final addition was a male to male threaded connector on the back of the case for attaching it to a window suction cup, although it would probably look right at home sat on the combing if I could find some decent non slip feet! (club aircraft so can't really stick it down with velcro)
Ash
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Looks like mine, much better in these cases!
The only other thing I have done is to add self adhesive heat sinks to the pi and the TV USB chip, makes a big difference to keeping the PIs USB ports cooler...
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Looks like mine, much better in these cases!
The only other thing I have done is to add self adhesive heat sinks to the pi and the TV USB chip, makes a big difference to keeping the PIs USB ports cooler...
I was thinking about doing this but the pi itself doesn't really seem to get that hot, the TV chip however does! Where have you managed to stick the heatsink as I cant really see anywhere suitable on mine unless I just stick it to the back of the board?
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No it needs to go on top of the chip nearest the USB plug, I cut a PI heatsink in half and seems to fit ok.
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No it needs to go on top of the chip nearest the USB plug, I cut a PI heatsink in half and seems to fit ok.
Will have a look on ebay and give that a go! ;D
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No it needs to go on top of the chip nearest the USB plug, I cut a PI heatsink in half and seems to fit ok.
Have also re-engineered my original PAW into the Stratux case, along the same lines as Ian M (2/6/17) with antenna at either end and all working OK. However, would like to add a heat sink to the 1090 dongle and wondered if it was the chip closest to the USB plug that was generating the heat or the black encapsulated component that was initially folded over to fit under the cover?
Has anyone managed to refit the cooling fan that had to be removed (and it's clips) to facilitate the radio bridge? If so, where have they managed to fit it in and how has it been powered, given that the 40 pin connector is now fully occupied by the radio bridge?
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It’s the chip nearest the usb plug that generates the heat, the black device is the IR receiver for the remote control...
Re the fan I haven’t re fitter it.
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@roweda, et al,
re the weakness of the holes after filing them out.
I recently helped a 3 people get started with PaW and building them into the stratux cases, I left them to adapt the cases and the result of one was very large holes offering next to no support! while searching for an easy solution I found MilliPut, simply brilliant, it an epoxy putty.
Very easy to use and apply and sets rock hard. I filled the holes leaving only where the hole should be, it seems very strong. I was so impressed I also filled mine too and it seems to have done the job. You do need to allow it to dry/full harden overnight, but after that I could file it and sand it without issue!