PilotAware
British Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rastus on August 29, 2015, 09:42:51 pm
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Having been excited by the article I read today in the LAA's mag Light Aviation I thought I would check out that the design as is would work with my set up which is:
Mini Apple iPad with NO built-in GPS, Running Sky Demon, Receiving a GPS signal via Bluetooth from a remote Garmin Glo gps
I hope this is a combination which suits the design and look forward to some advice
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This is exactly my set up. On the ground in my work shop (spare bedroom!), it works okay. In the car/trike, once moving, the GPS location is lost almost immediately. Now it might be just me. Lee is investigating, as he's aware of the problem.
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Thank you for your response.
I hope we get to know the outcome in the near future
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Today I have had a really good test with the PlotAware in the air with fantastic results. With no dropouts from gps at all.
With iPad make sure you first get your wifi hotspot active. Now open collision aware app. And connect. Now leave the app. running with out closing it. Now open sky demon select flarm and you should be good to go.
One question come to mind? Have you installed the latest version of the Pilotaware zip file to your device. Lee altered a time out function within the software last week?
Richard
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Hi Richard
That is great news.
I am pretty sure Paul has the latest version of PilotAware.
I also recall Alan Walker was using a glo on an early version of PilotAware,
and we did see some issues in that early release, but I think this was due
To some other bugs (since fixed)
This is good news and I think we need to continue gathering data
Thx
Lee
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Today I have had a really good test with the PlotAware in the air with fantastic results. With no dropouts from gps at all.
With iPad make sure you first get your wifi hotspot active. Now open collision aware app. And connect. Now leave the app. running with out closing it. Now open sky demon select flarm and you should be good to go.
One question come to mind? Have you installed the latest version of the Pilotaware zip file to your device. Lee altered a time out function within the software last week?
Richard
Good, I'm pleased it's working at your end. Of course, it doesn't help at my end! My "start up" procedure is exactly as described too.
Lee put diagnostic messages which seem to show the DVB dongle & radio unit are working okay. So if it's not them and it's not the GLO, is it the WiFi dongle? But that shows a good (although not always super strong, even when 9 inches between the PilotAware & the iPad) signal in iPad settings...... My iPad is in a LifeProof case (really necessary when flying an open cockpit aircraft).
I will try another software download later
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P,
I will try to carry out a genuine moving (in the car) test later today and report back...... (I.m at work this morning)
Lee seems to think it may be something else.
It will be nice to know if I can simulate the same situation you have.
Richard.
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Ok
After testing this afternoon.......
Using:-
iPad mini first generation wifi only (not cellular) with version 8.4.1 iOS
Germin GLO. Bluetooth GPS receiver.
PilotAware with the latest version installed on the nano card.
Results are after running for 1.5hr and Driving around in the local area a stop (while having an haircut) for 30mins without turning off the PilotAware device, no drop-out of the GPS, fully connected with wifi and Bluetooth with no timeout or drop out.
I will try the same procedures using the cellular IPad mini Second generation, first turning cellular data off. This stops the iPad using the internal GPS chip. So to use the Garmin GLO Bluetooth. This will be tested the next time I get to the airfield.
Sorry P this has not helped you with your problem. But I'm shure you will be able to sort out the problem.
Richard.
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Ok
After testing this afternoon.......
Using:-
iPad mini first generation wifi only (not cellular) with version 8.4.1 iOS
Germin GLO. Bluetooth GPS receiver.
PilotAware with the latest version installed on the nano card.
Results are after running for 1.5hr and Driving around in the local area a stop (while having an haircut) for 30mins without turning off the PilotAware device, no drop-out of the GPS, fully connected with wifi and Bluetooth with no timeout or drop out.
I will try the same procedures using the cellular IPad mini Second generation, first turning cellular data off. This stops the iPad using the internal GPS chip. So to use the Garmin GLO Bluetooth. This will be tested the next time I get to the airfield.
Sorry P this has not helped you with your problem. But I'm shure you will be able to sort out the problem.
Richard.
This is a great data point Richard.
One question, was this using the battery source you have mentioned on other threads for iPad and PilotAware ?
Many Thanks
Lee
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Lee,
Yes, using the internal Garmin Battery.
I did try to find the GLO firm-ware version but unfortunately nothing was found.
Richard
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Lee,
Yes, using the internal Garmin Battery.
I did try to find the GLO firm-ware version but unfortunately nothing was found.
Richard
Hi Richard,
Sorry I was referring to the powerbank you have mentioned previously
Thx
Lee
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Lee,
Yes, using the internal Garmin Battery.
I did try to find the GLO firm-ware version but unfortunately nothing was found.
Richard
Hi Richard,
Sorry I was referring to the powerbank you have mentioned previously
Thx
Lee
Lee,
Just using the power outlet from car with a small USB adapter. I'm not sure of the make it was a cheep eBay item. The charge2 power unit you refer is fitted into the aircraft panel, so not avalble for testing at home. I will test it under the same as described in this earlier post in the aircraft. All my earlier problems did stem from power cables. I'm now using the power lead you suggested in your power test.
Richard
Richard.
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Thanks Richard
That is excellent news
I am now switching my computer & phone off,
forum and email have gone crazy since the LAA article :o
Cheers Lee
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Thank you all for your comments and test results.
As a result of your support I am now going to buy all the components so I can get started, and fly with greater awareness in the future.
Thank you Lee for your superb initiative
Rastus
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I am now trying to prepare myself for what feels like the trickiest bit...the Set-U, although I have yet to receive the regulator.
I have a number of questions. Please bear in mind my setup is iPad without GPS and has a Garmin Glo connected by Bluetooth.
How do you remove the JMP connection?
I have loaded Noors onto my SD and have just prepared to add the Pilotaware download . A lot of the files have the same names so do I just load the Pilot Aware onto the SDcard in addition or replace the Noobs with the ones from the PilotAware download?
On the PilotAware website it talks about getting a download from iTunes relating to how the GPS info is handled....Does this apply to an iPad without internal GPS? If so what is it called?
The last one is to say that I would love to see a fully detailed sequence for the Set up process combined into one place i.e. including identifying which kit is turned on or off etc. in one place.
I have been searching the Blog to collect all the guidance I can, however, by its nature has good info but not all in one place.
Is this reasonable to ask?
Thanks in anticipation
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Hi,
Deep breath!
So firstly confirm you have the 3.3v regulator version of the digole, the JMP can be simply nudged out of the way with a hot soldering iron.
To be honest, it appears I have been the only one unlucky enough to have had the faulty boards
You do not need to load NOOBS, simply unpack the contents of the PilotAware.zip file into the root of the previously formatted SD card
You need CollisionWare irrespective of whether the GPS is internal or external
TBD regarding the setup, but in the meantime, how about here for the info
http://forum.pilotaware.com/index.php/topic,13.0.html
Thx
Lee
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Lee,
Thank your reply which I appreciate. I delayed replying as your first question was about the 3.3v regulator and at that point it had not arrived
Today it did and it looks exactly as the two photos showing both sides in your PilotAware Construction Manual.
The wording on the delivery note is "XBee/Pro Breakout Board 3.3V to 5V MCU Pitch.....3LED Indicator"
I can see JMP on the board.
If it is wrong can it be modified and how, please?
I look forward to your advice
Rastus
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If the JMP is in place, than you can simply swipe it off with a hot soldering iron
I would recommend powering up the board, and testingthe supplies with a multimeter
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That was a swift answer but you are talk to " no electronics person??!!"
I can see the letter JMP but other than that it appears exactly the same as your photo in the build instructions.
Is the one shown there correct or does that need modifying?
Now I am going to guess!
To follow your "power up the board and test the supplies" I wonder if it is a case of 5.5volts across pin10 row 3 and pin1 row 3, and then look for 3.3 volts between pin 9and GRND and also pin 8 and GRND?
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That was a swift answer but you are talk to " no electronics person??!!"
I can see the letter JMP but other than that it appears exactly the same as your photo in the build instructions.
Is the one shown there correct or does that need modifying?
Now I am going to guess!
To follow your "power up the board and test the supplies" I wonder if it is a case of 5.5volts across pin10 row 3 and pin1 row 3, and then look for 3.3 volts between pin 9and GRND and also pin 8 and GRND?
Looking from the back of the Xbee adapter, you should measure 3.3v going into the ARF so that is column 4, row 10, GND column 4, row 1
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Hurrah!!
Thanks for that advice. I now know Diagole regulator provides the 3.3Volts
I have now done the Test Prior to Assembly (6.2) and had the various lights come on.
The blue light on the ARF board came on and then off...... hope that is normal??
When it comes to assembling and soldering the pins on both the Diagloe and ARF you warned about the need to set them up properly.
You may be interested to know the method I used which was both easy and successful, which was to dry assemble the two boards with the pins in their correct places and then held them tightly together with a tight rubber band.
This made for a easy soldering and easy handling and the board to board fit was perfect..........just tyring to put something back after all the help!
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Dry assembly is the approach I take too, but I have a little jig
The blue light is a heartbeat, it should flash once a second
Thx
Lee
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Hello
Have assembled all the bits, confirmed connections and voltages.
SD card formatted using app and copied over latest package.
Loaded up the apps in the order given.
SD allows me to select FLARM (6000 in setup)
But I see nothing shown on the SD display on an Ipad or Nexus when I click on Go Flying - use FLARM.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
regards
Steve
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Sd has traffic filters, have you altered to pick up high traffic ?
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Yes set filter for 40000ft as suggested in an earlier post
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Do you have a monitor connected to the HDMI port, are any messages reported ?
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Have you looked at traffic around you using something like FlightRadar24?
The first time I fired mine up - nothing. No targets. Fired up FR24 and there was just nothing about - it happens round here.
I find FR24 is extremely useful for validating and checking you are seeing all the traffic that is broadcasting ADS-B, and it's nice to see that PilotAware is a bit ahead of the FR24 data - obviously because you are processing the real data, not waiting for it to be processed and sent over the interweb.
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Having got the unit completed I needed to test it, so this afternoon sat under the take-off flight path of Leeds Bradford.
Total disappointment. No other little yellow plane silhouettes on the iPad ( running Sky Demon with Garmin Glo)
No problems with Wi Fi or Flamm connection etc
In the blue line at the top pf the screen it said it was using the services, or words to that effect
I am not using either of the new Upgrade, just the original version
The power was via the car's 12volt outlet / USB fitting. Could see lights on in the R-Pi Case
I wonder about the ADS-B Dongle as I have seen the bragging rites on the blog about some Dongles!
I bought mine from Ali Express, described as : Mini USB-T USB 3.0 SDR & DVB-T receiver RTL2823U +R802 Tuner Black
What do you think needs checking and in what order of likely cause??
Please
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Having got the unit completed I needed to test it, so this afternoon sat under the take-off flight path of Leeds Bradford.
Total disappointment. No other little yellow plane silhouettes on the iPad ( running Sky Demon with Garmin Glo)
No problems with Wi Fi or Flamm connection etc
In the blue line at the top pf the screen it said it was using the services, or words to that effect
I am not using either of the new Upgrade, just the original version
The power was via the car's 12volt outlet / USB fitting. Could see lights on in the R-Pi Case
I wonder about the ADS-B Dongle as I have seen the bragging rites on the blog about some Dongles!
I bought mine from Ali Express, described as : Mini USB-T USB 3.0 SDR & DVB-T receiver RTL2823U +R802 Tuner Black
What do you think needs checking and in what order of likely cause??
Please
Sorry to hear this.
Couple of things to confirm
1. are all of the traffic filters disabled, ie able to view traffic +/- 40000ft ?
2. have you booted with a monitor attached to PilotAware, I would be interested on any messages produced
Thx
Lee
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The traffic filters were certainly set +40000 ft, The aircraft were about 200metres away as they took off and we saw them climb out to beyond 5000 + ft altitude.
I will try your suggest of a boot up with the TV connected.
Thanks
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I found I needed to attach the external antenna to the RTL dongle for it to work on the ground.
Attached screenshot taken today in London where you can see all the incoming airliners lined up nicely for Heathrow.
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I found I needed to attach the external antenna to the RTL dongle for it to work on the ground.
Attached screenshot taken today in London where you can see all the incoming airliners lined up nicely for Heathrow.
I must admit, that is a great shot of all that queuing traffic, reminds me of the M25
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I just love that screenshot!
Dave T
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Lee, have now booted the system as normal and taken a video of the result ( which I am happy to email to you if you wish)
The unusual reports, some of which you have said were just an annoyance are included
/usr/local/bin/mount_unionfs called with var-o rw .......etc.
fail
FAIL Startpar:service(s) returned failure: check root boot.... clean sh...failed?
warn Kernel lacks c groups or memory controller not available.
I was able to select Pilot Aware WiFi, also Pi3 Flamm and showed my position too so it appeared as I would expect it to.
Hope that helps
R
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we get the same fails on all 7 of our units - but they are working
Dave t
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Hi Rastus,
These error messages are fixed but only in an internal build
so now..
You have no (real) error messages, in the boot sequence.
you have all dongles & antennas connected
is your system now working ?
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I have to say I don't understand the implication of "These error messages are fixed but only in an internal build"??
I have had all the dongles fitted as well as antennas when I have done each test
You ask " is your system working now " and I wonder why as nothing has changed since I tested it at Leeds yesterday or am I missing something?
There is virtually no regular or reliable transmitting traffic within 15 miles or more of us to test reliably.
Are there any other checks I can do to check ,say for example, the ADS-B dongle is functioning?
Think I will take it up in the sky tomorrow for the first time but with a low expectation based on the Leeds test and will report back
I wonder about the ADS-B Dongle as I have seen the bragging rites on the blog about some Dongles!
I bought mine from Ali Express, described as : Mini USB-T USB 3.0 SDR & DVB-T receiver RTL2823U +R802 Tuner Black
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At my location we get periods of very little CAT activity even on the airways. When I built the first box, tested it, nothing. No traffic showing at all. So I ran up FlightRadar24 to check, and that confirmed there was nothing within 80 or so miles of us.
So I waited until FR24 had a good selection of traffic, both inbound to BRS and on the airway (usually for us late afternoon) and tested it again, and confirmed it did work. But based on my first couple of tests, I could have sworn it wasn't working.
So now when I test I always check with FR24 to see what traffic is about. Also, it may have been said before, and you may have checked, but if you are running SD, you have set the 'Other Traffic' 'show within vertically' in Navigation Options up to say 50k feet so it doesn't filter most CAT out? The default setting IIRC is 5000' which is much too narrow a band for testing unless you are on the approach to Heathrow.
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Please see this message here, this should help once I get this release up on the web
http://forum.pilotaware.com/index.php/topic,4.msg1021.html#msg1021
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Just reporting in after 45 mins flying around, under West Yorkshire controlled air space, and seeing a number of airliners.
I am afraid there was no sign of them on my iPad not a Scooby-do!
So as not to change parameters as we go I have NOT upgrade my Ipad to ios9.0
I have NOT adopted the upgrade to P upgrade issued a week ago.
SkyDemon said it was using Collision Aware (in the blue)
The Wi Fi didn't drop out
There were no failures of the Sky Demon screen.
It ran for the whole time I was flying
Where do we go from here ?
Am I doing something wrong?
Which elements would stop me seeing airliner outputs ,or stop the images being created if they were being identified?
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Just reporting in after 45 mins flying around, under West Yorkshire controlled air space, and seeing a number of airliners.
I am afraid there was no sign of them on my iPad not a Scooby-do!
So as not to change parameters as we go I have NOT upgrade my Ipad to ios9.0
I have NOT adopted the upgrade to P upgrade issued a week ago.
SkyDemon said it was using Collision Aware (in the blue)
The Wi Fi didn't drop out
There were no failures of the Sky Demon screen.
It ran for the whole time I was flying
Where do we go from here ?
Am I doing something wrong?
Which elements would stop me seeing airliner outputs ,or stop the images being created if they were being identified?
I think the first thing is for me to get this latest upload, and see what information it provides.
If this does not move you forward, I suggest you send your PilotAware to me, and I will debug
the issue, its clearly taking to long to resolve.
How does this sound ?
Thx
Lee
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I just need to be sure what you mean by" Get this latest upload"?
Are you suggesting I send you the screen pics I have from the booting exercise I reported on?
Thx
R
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I am in the process of putting a new release on the website, this is the upload
I am referring to.
Once it is available, it has additional information in the web server which may indicate some issues.
If not, then I sugest you let me take a look at your PilotAware unit
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I am in the process of putting a new release on the website, this is the upload
I am referring to.
Once it is available, it has additional information in the web server which may indicate some issues.
If not, then I suggest you let me take a look at your PilotAware unit
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Just double checking, you have the altitude filter option on SD set to a high threshold?
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The web server on the new Release will indicate if it is receiving any adsb packets
From the dvbt dongle.
It also prints number of gps packets received
Thx
Lee
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Thank you for the new release Lee.
The reboot was without the previous waning and fail message(s).
There was the Kernel lacking groups warning however I did get SDR USB Error Connect ......57600 baud
The WiFi link was made and selected Flamm on the Sky Demon
Then got:
Connect to Sky Demon
Attempting Connection
Error Connect()
Then saw
NAC TCP:Pin 6000
Msg $PLACA,S,NMEA OUT 61*69
I had a several attempts to connect Sky Demon ,all of which failed. I checkedthat both WiFi & Collision Aware were still sound.
Does that lead you to a solution?
Looking forward to your view. R
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Thank you for the new release Lee.
The reboot was without the previous waning and fail message(s).
There was the Kernel lacking groups warning however I did get SDR USB Error Connect ......57600 baud
The WiFi link was made and selected Flamm on the Sky Demon
Then got:
Connect to Sky Demon
Attempting Connection
Error Connect()
Then saw
NAC TCP:Pin 6000
Msg $PLACA,S,NMEA OUT 61*69
I had a several attempts to connect Sky Demon ,all of which failed. I checkedthat both WiFi & Collision Aware were still sound.
Does that lead you to a solution?
Looking forward to your view. R
OK, This is good progress in highlighting the issue.
If you received "SDR USB Error", this points to a problem with the DVB-T Dongle which receives the ADS-B data, and would explain why you see no aircraft.
Can you also point your web browser to
http://192.168.1.1
on the device connected to the Pilotaware WiFi.
This should give some additional info, please take a snapshot and post the picture so I can take a look
Just rereading your post, it looks like previously skydemon would connect, but not show any aircraft, and now it apoears that skydemon will not connect, that is strange ....
Thx
Lee
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Still thinking on this ...
I went back through previous posts and saw msg that you were using garmin glo. Is your ipad cellular or wifi ?
If it is cellular, can you retry your experiment without usin the glo ?
Thx
Lee
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I have a non phone iPad so use a Garmin Glo .
Shall I try upgraing the iPad to ios 9.0 (as it would be my next move if all was working well.......... or stay with it for the moment??
Thx
R
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I ran the experiment that you suggested but unfortunately I was unable to give you a screen shot from the 196.168.1.1 site. Sorry
The reason was that having to use a Hotspot on my phone I decided to make a Bluetooth connection as I thought it was best to leave the WiFi connection on PilotAware but could not make contact.
However I thought I would do a couple of experiments and report what the Tv showed in case you get some more insight from it.
The first was to switch on the Garmin Glo before anything else then go through the normal start procedure.
It all lit up and looked as if it was ready for work, but, of course we don't know if it is going to "pick up airliners"
Glo ON
I then switched the Glo OFF and stated every thing from a new start.
This time the Sky Demon showed the map but with a band "Selecting GPS Satellites" but it didnt. I left the RasPi running then switched off the Sky Demon and then switched it back and the Glo on also.
Everything looked ready to go but again we don't know if it will see in the sky?!
Perhaps I should go and fly again
Glo OFF
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Sounds like you tried the wrong address, it should be
192.168.1.1
Thlee
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No not really I just typed the blog from memory.
I actually was copying the web address from the PilotAware Construction Manual. R
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Another day dawns and all the frustrations, because I couldn't see airliners on PilotAware, have been lifted.
I now can see aircraft operating at Manchester and I am to the East of Leeds.
No longer a PilotAware Virgin!
This was achieved not by me but the superb and cool headed advice I received from Lee.
In the end it was as simple as the power lead not having the capacity to deliver the Oooomph!
(Recommend JuicEbitz on eBay as a power lead supplier ( they can provide the 2.1 spec shown in Lee's analysis on power cables here on the Blog))
A Big Thank You to Lee who has done more than one could reasonable expect, and swiftly
R