Messages

1

Technical Support / TQ Avionics (formerly Dittel) KTX2 Mode S Transponder

« on: January 08, 2020, 10:52:52 pm »

Can anyone tell me if you can connect up a TQ Avionics (formerly Dittel) KTX2 Mode S Transponder to a pilot aware I have received the following information from the makers teschnical department but I am not confidant to committing to buy the unit only to find its a dead duck.

the latest version of software and the manual offers the following:
  The only information I found was this:
 A GPS source can be connected to the serial interface (RS232) providing GPS position data (Extended Squitter).
Requirements:
- Software Revision 0101 and higher
- Required data format of the GPS hardware: Standard NMEA0183 RMC data stream including the RMC-sub-format (4800/9600/38400 Baud).
- GPS hardware needs to be connected to pins 2 and 13. Power supply needs to be provided separately considering the required operating voltage for the GPS hardware.
ADS-B Out. Connecting to a Mode S transponder.

On contacting the makers I received the following information:
I did not find all information I need.
Our Transponder needs 4800 or 9600 baud NMEA Signal in RS-232 level but only the RMC signal of the NMEA signal. If your Pilot Aware Unit provides more information the KTX2 doesn´t work correctly.
One of the useful features of PilotAware is the ability to share its GPS information with third-party
equipment. This is particularly useful when you want to use the GPS in PilotAware as the uncertified
GPS source to convert your Mode-S transponder with extended squitter (ES) to transmit ADS-B-Out.
To do this you need to obtain a USB-RS232 converter in order to connect to your transponder, each
model/type will be different.
Once connected to PilotAware you will need to manually configure the USB port for Baud Rate and
Transponder type, each type requires differing NMEA messages and rates. For example, to connect
PilotAware to your Funke transponder to give ADS-B Out. You will need to use a USB -RS232
converter cable. This must be "true" RS232, +/- 12V, and NOT the "TTL" cable variant which it
provides only 0-5V signalling. Further information is available here.
 
Maybe you have time to ask PilotAware if they can provide an RMC-only signal. Also called GPRMC without any other signals.

2

General Discussion / Re: Garmin 496 and traffic data

« on: May 01, 2017, 12:12:50 am »

Having just bought a Savannah with a `garmin 496 may I join you in a wish to be able to connected it to the pilot aware unit

3

General Discussion / Re: First Time Booting

« on: November 10, 2015, 01:43:43 pm »

Having reloaded PilotAware, at the moment it gets to a certain point showing all the script and then I just get the message 'Licence Fail for eth0 xx:xx:xx:xx and Licence Fail for wlan0 xx:xx:xx:xx' (where xx:xx:xx:xx is a MAC address) scrolling up the screen.

This is correct. This is what it should do. The next step is to request a licence with this MAC address (recommended to use the ethernet one now) from the automated server linked from the forum. You'll receive the licence via e-mail. You then connect your tablet to the PI Wifi, and go to 192.168.1.1. Go into Configure and you can enter the licence number and then go down to "Save" at the bottom.

As for antennae, I have a home made coaxial colinear in the attic for ADS-B reception. I get quite a lot of traffic, living about equidistant between Heathrow and Gatwick! 

Something I found yesterday, I ordered a cheap external antenna to try using with the ARF, but I think it's the sort Lee already tried with no better results...but I noticed the bases were the same as the antenna given with the DVB dongle. I unscrewed mine and screwed the other antenna in, and it provided much better ADS-B reception than the stock DVB antenna. The one I bought was this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191458437759?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Not as good as the coaxial colinear though!

I came to the same conclusion and have the same whip on order.
Regarding home made aerials I was hoping to start a folder up on the pilotaware site as there are some interesting articals on the web to make you own 1090Mhz aerial - have a look at
 http://forum.flightradar24.com/threads/6359-Making-an-inexpensive-1090MHz-ADS-B-collinear-antenna
or
http://forum.flightradar24.com/threads/8596-3-EASY-ANTENNAS-FOR-BEGINNERS

4

General Discussion / Re: List of Working display options.

« on: November 06, 2015, 09:29:22 am »

Finally got PilotAware working on a larger screen

System works on Hudle2,(Tesco)running Android 4.4.2, with PilotAwareAndroid and XCSoar.

With Help from http://forum.pilotaware.com/index.php/topic,212.0.html

Showing traffic not sure about display need to try whilst flying.

Just to let you know Hudl2 with lollipop  (ver 5.0) works a treat running pilotaware - Im just a little concerned with the battery life even while its pugged into a charger

iang

5

General Discussion / Re: First Time Booting

« on: October 25, 2015, 05:17:53 pm »

Following several problems I have finally managed to get my system up and running so I thought I would share some of my experience with others

If you buy a SD memory card from EBay test it with a free program h2testw - if it fails once trash it but always test more than once.
 
Format the card with formatSD and remember to set the formater with the correct parameters and upload the latest version of the pilot aware software ( it has the latest bug fixes and works well).

I have found it is best to boot up for the first time either outside or somewhere where the system can get a signal and have a monitor on the raspberry pi so you can see what's happening.


Start up the pi and watch the screen it should finish with the immortal word OK.

Next it depends on if you are using android or iPad

Android
Download the app pilotaware, with the wifi option in the system settings to pilotaware-xxxxxxxx (where xxxxxxx is you serial number)
Start up the new app and after a few minutes the app will start displaying Lat long etc

And there you are - just start up you nav program and set the flarm setting and you should be another winner.

iPad
Lee has already provided the info on this, but really it is about the same down load the app collision aware  with the wifi option in the system settings to pilotaware-xxxxxxxx (where xxxxxxx is you serial number) Start the app and there should be a message at the top of the screen saying using collision aware

And there you are - just start up you nav program and set the flarm setting and you should be another winner.

aerial problems

While my system is working it is a bit shy of the 1090Mhz reception and I have decided this is down to the antenna so I have ordered a ADS-B Antenna 1090Mhz MCX Plug 2.5dbi gains Magnet +MCX Jack to SMA Jack Adapter from eBay item no:201385927239 and I will report on how it goes.

May I take this opertunaty in thanking everyone for the help I have received in building the unit and it great to eye how the whole idea is expanding

Iang

6

General Discussion / Re: Newcomer to Pilotaware who is just a bit too dense to understand the basics 😊

« on: October 25, 2015, 01:43:14 pm »

8)Hi Forum users,

Just purchased a Pilotaware unit from a PAW Builder & to be honest I am a complete dork when it comes to Electronics.
I haven't received the unit because I literally only paid for it 8hrs ago ( as at 2015hrs 24/10/2015 ) but I am someone who when I get a new gizmo wants to play with it immediately.

Now comes the questions :
(1) I intend to run it on Skydemon & don't know how to connect the PAW unit to my Galaxy Tab3 Android tablet so that is likely to be my initial faux pas.

(2) Does the PAW unit have to maintain an internet connection during use or will it still function offline?

(3) My android Tab3 has an inbuilt GPS, will this be the GPS link I will use to run the PAW?

(4) Do you have to program your callsign into the PAW?  * I ask because I am jumping in/out of different aircraft  almost weekly and wouldn't want to be transmitting the incorrect callsign whilst flying *

I look forward to receiving the informed answers to what probably seem dumb ass questions, please explain in layman terms because I am electronically inept.

MTIA,
Peter.

Please read this in conjunction with other corespondance

on your android device download an app from the google store called  pilotawareAndroid.

start up the pilotaware unit (ensure you have enough power for it as it draws a few amps), start up you android device and in settings change your wifi connection to a connection with the start of the name "PilotAware- xxxxxx" (where xxxxxx is your"serial number".
providing you are outside the pilotawareAndroid app will after a couple of minutes start to display some calorimetry.

start up you chosen nav program and set up the Flarm settings (see message from Lee about this for each nav program below)
2. SkyDemon Specific

2.1 Setup->Connectivity_Options
Select FLARM
set the Air Connect Key to 6000

2.1 Setup->Navigation_Options
Go to the bottom of the options and alter 'Show within Vertically' to something like +-40000ft,
otherwise for testing purposes, you will see no traffic

2.2 Fly
and select 'Use Flarm'


3. RunwayHD

3.1 Settings->System
Enable Flarm mode
IP Address 192.168.1.1
Port 2000
Passcode 6001
Altitude Filter(+/-ft) 40000 


4. EasyVFR

4.1 Menu->NavTools->Settings->FlarmSettings
WiFlyIPAddress: 192.168.1.1
WiFly Port: 2000
WiFly Pin-code: 6001


5. Sky-Map
Setup> Wireless Interface Setup
Enable Wi-Fi
IP address: 192.168.1.1
Port: 2000
Password: 6001
Setup> FLARM / Show ADSB traffic

6. Air Navigation Pro
configuration->sensors->FLARM-AirAvionics-AirConnect
Sensor: On
Pin Code: 6001

and that should see  you up and running


iang

7

General Discussion / Re: Airnav pro no flarm connection

« on: October 25, 2015, 01:26:17 pm »

May I suggest you download the latest pi software from the Pilotaware site especially if you downloaded it not long after it was uploaded by Lee as it was shortly replaced with a more reliable version (same version number) - I found this solved all my problems with getting the system to work (well not quite as I have an aerial issue).

iang

8

General Discussion / Re: Raspberry Pi Model B (not +)

« on: October 15, 2015, 10:03:16 pm »

Thanks, Lee.  I'll order the bits and give it a shot.  If it works I'll pick up a B+ to use permanently as the lower power consumption and neater form factor would be good.  I'll be using it from a USB battery pack in a rented aircraft, so plumbed in power isn't an option.

Thanks,
Tim

TJ how did you get on using the model B ? I also have a spare one and could use it as a spare

9

General Discussion / Re: PilotAware Map

« on: October 12, 2015, 03:26:07 pm »

After completing a "in car test" with the heath Robinson unit and fining it all working (just waiting for the licence in case I decide to use it with a ipad) have have mark my base on the map as a winter.

10

General Discussion / Re: Setting up the software - latest version 20151003

« on: October 10, 2015, 08:44:09 pm »

I was about is throw the towel in, building the boards etc no problem with all the support the manual gives but when it can to downloading and getting the software to install on the Pi now that was a different case, I ended up having to down load the zip file four times and format a couple of micro SD cards dozzens of times before I finally managed to see the code number.

Its funny as I had not trouble with version 19 which booted up first time, but the code number has now changed with the software version upgrade. 

11

General Discussion / Re: Lee Moore Award Nomination

« on: October 10, 2015, 07:46:35 pm »

Word reaches me that Lee Moore has been nominated to receive an LAA Service Award for aviation safety at this weekend's AGM at Sywell.

With out doubt this design should increase the safety of all light aircraft  - especially if more are fitted to more aircraft.

12

General Discussion / Re: Android

« on: September 24, 2015, 08:24:38 pm »

can someone explain the android route, having set up the software on the pi will the two parts of the hardware just link via the wireless connection and the nav pro/sky demon just take on the supplied data?

is there going to be an update for the android software to handle the barometric pressure sensor?

13

General Discussion / Re: ARF Shield - Digole 5v-3.3v regulator board

« on: September 24, 2015, 08:16:50 pm »

Following a bit of a wait I now have everything but the 40 way IDC but I seem to recall a post regarding the jumper on the ARF shield board does it need linking or not?

14

General Discussion / Re: Enhancement Requests

« on: September 04, 2015, 10:51:49 pm »

I should also mention that the guys at PocketFMS (EasyVFR) are looking at building the CollisionAware
functionality directly into there navigation tool, basically a broadcast NMEA/GPS that PilotAware will listen

This means
1. you will not need to run CollisionAware
2. It should just run on Android

I will mention this to the other vendors, seems like a good approach

Thx
Lee

How are you going with the folks at Sky demon? I intend to use this on my hudl2

15

General Discussion / Re: Questions

« on: September 03, 2015, 12:32:12 pm »

Sorry I have also gone the android route for navigation (hull 2 new for £50 bargin)
Could someone please give some one liner list of parts and where to get - everywhere I have looked they don't seem to have what is on the list, I am about to acquire a raspberry pi b+ (mark 1)

Would it be better to remote the aerial to underside ? of fuselage ? Or would the unit work well enough anywhere in the cockpit

Iang