Topics

1

General Discussion / PAW and SE2

« on: October 11, 2020, 12:29:58 pm »

Hi all,

This isn’t a comparison post but hopefully some sensible questions - I asked the same question on another forum but it got lost with all the arguing! 

I already own a PAW Rosetta and have just taken advantage of the EC rebate to purchase a SE2.

My thinking is that ADSB out will be mandated in some airspace, somewhere, at some point.

So, my plan is to have the SE2 transmitting ADSB out only (I believe that is possible) and then run PAW to detect everything (as it’s detection capabilities are far superior due to the amount of things it can detect) and have the iPad connecting to PAW.

As I fly rental aircraft, long term fitting of a PAW is not possible.

So, will the PAW have issues with the SE2 - e.g. constantly detect an aircraft on top of myself as it is picking up the SE2 - can something be configured in PAW to prevent this or is that a feature request?

Would there be any affect on signal quality for detection/transmission running both devices in close proximity?

Is it possible to connect the SE2 to PAW so that I could purchase the FLARM subscription from SkyDemon and benefit from that should I be outside the PAW ground network?

Thanks for anyone’s advice.
Rob

2

Technical Support / Power, logging and other query

« on: January 13, 2020, 09:05:34 pm »

Hi all,

Power
I've been using my PAW for a couple of years with a Zendure power bank very successfully. However, on and off I've occasionally received a voltage warning message on the home page. A complete power off and power on has always resolved this and it had got to the point where I wouldn't even check it each time I flew as it appeared to cause no issues. However, back in July 19, I decided to treat myself to the recommended power supply as the Zendure was a couple of years old and I bought a Anker PowerCore 10000mAH power bank (model A1263). I have noticed this raises the same fault as the Zendure did - voltage warning and throttle warning.

I've read much about power causing issues, so wanted to ascertain what issues the above error may cause and should the recommended power supply do this? All appears to work fine just like the Zendure.

I am using my original power cable that came with the PAW classic I purchased - this is now attached to a Rosetta.
See image attached.

Logging
I have noticed on the logging page a continuous (every 5 to 10 seconds) alert stating COMMON: HTTP-config: UNDEFINED - is this of any concern and can/should it be fixed in some way?
See image attached.

Traffic
This was more curiosity than anything due to me other playing about. With my new GPS receiver, indoors, I get full satellite signal very quickly which is fantastic. I was having a look at the traffic page and noticed two aircraft that appeared to have two SQ ID's - is that right/possible?
See image attached

Thanks
Rob

3

Technical Support / GPS - incorrect position?

« on: January 05, 2020, 10:43:05 pm »

Hi all,

Is there any where in the PAW log file to ascertain your own GPS position?

I have recently replaced my GPS dongle due to two issues I experienced in December - the first was lots of GPS dropouts on the flight (think this has been fixed by changing the auto setting to PAW within the config page) and the second was due to a significant position error I saw on SkyDemon. Basically, SkyDemon was reporting Gaydon was on my left/straight ahead when in fact it was on my right.

I originally thought that it may have been a mapping error or caused somehow by the GPS dropouts (is that possible) as I had only just pulled the latest maps the previous day. I have had a map update since then and the SkyDemon log still presents Gaydon to the left/staightahead.

I have not had chance to fly with the new dongle as it would be easy to replicate the return route to Wellesbourne via Gaydon but was wondering if the GPS positions are stored in the track file and if so, how can these be deciphered? I can then just plot the cooridinates on Google Earth and double check everything to ascertain where the problem was. I'm assuming SkyDemon uses GPS coordinates within the log file? Hence if it was a mapping issue, this would appear fixed with an updated map?

I should add that the rest of the flight appeared fine although I was doing an RNAV approach in to Cambridge so was reliant on the onboard GNS430 for a significant part of the flight there and back so wasn't double checking SkyDemon.

Thanks for all your help
Rob

4

Technical Support / GPS dongle issue/dropouts

« on: December 23, 2019, 09:25:10 pm »

Hi all,

I hope you are all well and looking forward to the Christmas break.

Recently while flying, I've started to experience numerous GPS dropouts. I have a Rosetta, but as it was an upgrade from the Classic, I have the original GPS dongle. SkyDemon displays numerous red dots. The Rosetta is mounted on a RAM mount in the rear of a PA28 and the GPS dongle is pointing directly to the sky/ceiling of the plane.

I would like to replace the dongle and was wondering if someone could send me a link to one that can be purchased from Amazon/Ebay that would work perfectly and also incorporate any improvements that may have become available since my classic purchase.

Thanks for your help.

Thanks
Rob

5

Technical Support / Installing new version - Linux 'fun' and backups

« on: July 08, 2019, 11:21:56 pm »

Hi all,

I've been meaning to upgrade to the latest version for a week or so and this weekend I finally found the time to do it. As part of the upgrade, I wanted to backup my configuration and track files and transfer them to the new install. I also explored a way of backing up the whole SD card before wiping it (just in case). This was all performed in a Ubuntu virtual machine running within VMware Workstation and mapping the SD card through. It is not a step by step guide and you need to understand Linux as if you don't, you can do more damage than you can think is possible, but may help someone if they are experimenting (enjoy messing about) like I do:

VMware Workstation
Ubuntu Virtual machine
Plug in SD card and pass through to Ubuntu virtual machine
Copy root | root | cache folder to PAW_Backup on desktop
Copy root | root | servers | PilotAware.cfg file to PAW_Backup on desktop
Unmount SD card from Ubuntu virtual machine
*Make a backup of the SD card
Terminal
sudo apt install pv
Ascertain current disk mappings
df -h
Mount SD card to Ubuntu virtual machine
Ascertain PAW SD card disk mapping
df -h
sudo dd if=/dev/sdb* | pv | gzip > /home/*user*/Desktop/PAW_Backup/PAW_SD_Card_Backup.img.gz   
*represents SD card drive mapping and location specific to your setup
The backup can take a fair while dependent on SD card size - mine was 32GB and compressed to 612MB with gzip - it also takes longer due to copying all information (including empty space) and the mapping through to the virtual machine delays things further
Unmount SD card from Ubuntu virtual machine
Wipe SD card as per PAW instructions and install new version

Mount new SD card to Ubuntu virtual machine
Terminal
Change directory to /home/*user*/Desktop/PAW_Backup/cache folder
sudo cp -R * /root/root/cache - you need sudo for permissions to transfer the files
You can either copy the PilotAware.cfg file using a command similar to above to the correct location or I used sudo nano to modify the PilotAware.cfg file on the SD card and just add the WIFI configuration - my license had just expired so I didn't copy that information and just applied the new license details within the PAW configuration web page
Unmount SD card from Ubuntu virtual machine and boot
Boot PAW and enjoy

If you needed your backup in an emergency:
*Restore backup to SD card
Mount SD card in Ubuntu virtual machine
Discover SD card drive mapping
gunzip -c /home/*user*/Desktop/PAW_Backup/PAW_SD_Card_Backup.img.gz | pv | sudo dd of=/dev/sdb*
This take a very long time but is due to SD card mapped in virtual machine - as with any backup, really only useful in an emergency where time isn't critical but the data/outcome is!

Thanks
Rob

6

Technical Support / SkyDemon unable to connect to PAW - initially and then it works

« on: May 05, 2019, 10:55:14 am »

Hi all,

The last few times I have flown, I've experienced the following issue (on the ground before take off) where SkyDemon waits for connection to PAW and then fails. I should add that the iPad is WIFI only.

I'll detail the steps below:
Setup PAW in the back of the plane and power on - after this, the usual aircraft walk around is completed so a good 10 minutes will have passed.
Open iPad and check it is connected to the PAW WIFI - all present and correct
Open SkyDemon and click Fly and select PAW - SkyDemon displays a message stating waiting for device and eventually times out - maybe 15 seconds later or so.
Open a Safari web page on iPad and browse to the PAW configuration web page - PAW is running and all green lights
Back to SkyDemon and click Fly and select PAW - connects successfully (occasionally I have to quit SkyDemon (apple double tap button and close) before SkyDemon will connect)

I'm not pointing the figure at PAW, but has anyone else experienced this - only starting happening in the last couple of months and is really odd. It's as if the iPad is connected to PAW but doesn't have a 'proper' connection before you browse the configuration page.

Thanks
Rob

7

General Discussion / PAW track log understanding

« on: December 21, 2018, 07:21:13 pm »

Hi all,

Just a quick one - I know I've seen this somewhere before but cannot now find it!

What do all the messages in the track log file indicate - e.g. $PFLAA, $PAWRT, $PGRMZ, $GPGGA etc.

The reason I'm asking is I've been trying new RAM mounts for PAW and positions and don't think I saw any Mode C/S targets today - understandable as the weather was atrocious and I must have been one of the mad few flying.

Anyway, I'm just trying to ascertain is the positioning is good/correct but cannot work out, what is ADSB, Mode C/S etc.

Thanks
Rob

8

General Discussion / PAW on a yoke mount

« on: September 30, 2018, 09:47:04 pm »

Hi all,

I'm looking at attempting to tidy the installation of the Rosetta as I fly in 'share' planes so have no fixed installation option. I usually try and mount the PAW Rosetta via a suction mount to the rear windows, but when you are 4 up, this is virtually impossible as the passengers have a poor view.

My thinking was to extend my RAM mount configuration to include a three ball connector - one would be used for the tablet for SkyDemon and the other could be used to mount the Rosetta on the yoke - this RAM mount would be positioned on the passenger yoke and I'd hopefully have the antenna's just above the 'dash' in this configuration. I'm guessing there are many downsides to this setup as I can imagine banking and climbing/descending would always be changing the antenna positions far more drastically than a window mount as such.

Any thoughts on the idea above or ideas of a better mount option?

Thanks
Rob

9

General Discussion / Smaller PAW antenna - the one that attaches to the PAW bridge

« on: June 27, 2018, 11:50:09 am »

Hi all,

I've seen and read lots of posts with regards to using a smaller ADSB antenna and the one that ships with the Rosetta is perfectly sized for my storage box I transport the PAW in.

However, I'm struggling to fit the PAW antenna (the one that attaches to the PAW bridge) in my storage box - it is slightly too long.

Is there a recommended replacement that is smaller - ideally similar to the ADSB antenna in size? Obviously doing the Rosetta DIY upgrade, I'm not sure if the one that ships with a new Rosetta would be smaller anyway - if so, would someone mind sending me a link to what I need to purchase and I will get one organised.

Thanks for all your help
Rob

10

General Discussion / Rosetta upgrade - completed and some helpful tips - hopefully!

« on: June 26, 2018, 11:37:53 pm »

Hi folks,

I received my Rosetta upgrade kit today and decided to set to work - not knowing what to expect, here are my thoughts and hopefully some helpful tips as I did encounter a couple of issues along the way.

First off, everything is packaged nicely and the guide you download is very easy to follow for all parts!

One of the initial difficulties I had was that I wasn't expecting to have to punch holes in the supplied case - this is not a big deal as the holes are already 'precut' but as I don't have any decent tools this was a little challenge. In the end I used a Stanley knife and slow cut around the holes - when you get your kit you will see what I mean if you opt for this method. As the case is small, it can be a little fiddly.

The next difficulting is that the holes are not big enough for the connectors - all mentioned in the guide. I used a small flat head screw driver and slowly went round the holes in a circular fashion - this took a while but eventually the holes were big enough!

The connectors have screw on parts and a small set a pliers really helps with tightening these up!

Everything else was really easy to put together - the case can be a little fiddly to take apart and but I've found that with all Pi cases!

The next part was installing the PilotAware software and this was where I had my main issue - the guide explains the steps and I won't go over that here but I did find the following:

The guide references SD Card Formatter v4 - this does not appear to be available anymore and only v5 is. v5 does not have the options available that v4 appears to have.

Initially I decided to use a new memory card as I wanted to keep my old PAW functional so I could copy the settings.

I used SD Card Formatter on a new 32GB SD card, copied the PilotAware software and then tried to boot the PAW - I instantly received an error stating that it was unable to resize the FAT partition. Thinking the issue was the SD card, I got my original PAW SD card and did the same - same error. Convinced I didn't have two corrupt SD cards, I set about finding other tools to format the SD card. I found a tool called GUIFORMAT - http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?guiformat.htm and this is the procedure that worked for me:

Formatted SD card with SD Card Formatter - full format - took a long time
Formatted the SD card using GUIFORMAT, set the allocation unit size to 32768 and made sure not to select Quick Format
Format took a long time
Extracted files from PilotAware download and copied to SD card as per PilotAware guide
Waited 15 seconds before ejecting the SD card from Windows to confirm all file copy operations had completed
Booted Pi......
Everything worked and this was using the new 32GB SD card

PilotAware is now up and running in the new Rosetta format - all very painless once I'd got the above sorted.

The only other piece of advice I would mention is to make sure you look at the pictures carefully in the Rosetta upgrade guide - I initially removed the holes in the wrong part of the case - no issue - but parts of the case look very similar to other parts of the case and if you don't pay full attention to the pictures, you will make the same mistake as me! :-) There aren't any issues making this mistake and you do have a couple more ventilation holes!

Good luck!

Thanks
Rob

11

General Discussion / Ordered by Rosetta upgrade and sent the bridge today

« on: June 20, 2018, 09:43:06 pm »

Hi all,

Nothing to noteworthy, but I ordered my Rosetta upgrade yesterday and shipped the bridge back today. Comical thing is, I sent it from Stratford-upon-Avon post office and upon checking the address, it is getting delivered to Stratford-upon-Avon - I was half tempted to drop it in personally, but thought that might be a little rude! The lady at the post office persuaded me to send the item 'Special Delivery' as there is no such  thing as 'First Class Tracked...' - £6.50, I'm pleased to hear that my package will go all the way to Nuneaton and then back to Stratford for delivery - at least I'm getting something for my money! :-)

Looking forward to getting the upgrade although I'm not back in the office until next week, so won't be able to collect the new bits of kit - as the office is in Stratford, you might be able to send my shipment carrier pigeon! :-)

Thanks
Rob

12

Technical Support / PAW failure

« on: December 04, 2017, 04:57:21 pm »

Hi there,

As probably known from a previous thread, I have experienced PAW failure in flight - normally after 30 minutes or so. I was kindly supplied with a replacement WIFI dongle and ADSB dongle and antennae. This appeared to work for 40 minutes or so of circuit flights the other day.

However, this weekend I flew to Cambridge and back - on the flight to Cambridge the PAW failed approximately 20-30 minutes in to the flight - SkyDemon disconnected and the PAW WIFI network was not visible on my phone - I switched to location services and everything was fine. The PAW was located on the 'dash'.

On the flight home, I moved the PAW to the rear passenger seats thinking it may be a heat issue. Again, 20-30 minutes in to the flight, the PAW failed with no PAW network available - switching to location services resolved the issue within Sky Demon.

What are the best troubleshooting mechanisms I have available - it appears that running PAW in my apartment for an hour or so doesn't cause any issues and the unit doesn't fail. What do I need to turn on logging wise to work out what may be happening?

Thanks
Rob

13

Technical Support / SOLVED: PAW WiFi failure

« on: November 18, 2017, 07:15:22 pm »

Hi there,

The last couple of flights I’ve experienced the PAW stop sending data to my mobile (iPhone and SkyDemon) - originally I thought this was because I’d changed from FLARM to PilotAware data connection but today we were doing circuits (upon landing), the PAW stopped sending data to the phone - as we were swapping pilots, I checked the WIFI on my iPhone and it was not detecting the PAW WIFI - I completely repowered the PAW and everything came back to life. However on the flight to Gloucester (full IMC flight), I lost connection about 15 minutes in. Changed to location services on SkyDemon and all was fine. Obviously couldn’t troubleshoot as in cloud!

Any thoughts or any logs I can view? As my PAW has been so reliable, I’m not sure what’s going on! Hopefully it’s not terminal!!

Thanks
Rob

14

General Discussion / Lack of transponder use - Midlands?

« on: October 11, 2017, 11:22:55 pm »

Hi all,

This is just a general query for any one flying Midlands based (Wellesbourne) etc!

Has any one noticed a lack of transponder use in the general area by planes?

The reason I'm asking is that there have been a few occasions recently that I've spotted planes visually but had absolutely no Mode C/S pickup. They definitely haven't been transmitting ADSB/PAW.

I'm just trying to work out if something is wrong/not working on my PAW or people just aren't using their transponder.

I've also had an interesting occurrence on the ground - PAW located on dash in PA28 and Mode S detected from plane behind taxing past me but as soon as they've passed I've had no Mode S detection.

On the dash, the ADSB aerial is at a slight angle as it hits the windscreen - could this be a potential issue? If this was an issue, detecting a plane behind doesn't make sense.

Could the propellor/engine be shielding the signal?

Can the WIFI power interfere with the ADSB signal detection - I think I've turned mine up quite high?

Appreciate the help as it's difficult to test not knowing if other aircraft are transmitting data! :-)

Thanks
Rob

15

Technical Support / Track playback - all detections noted as FLARM??

« on: October 01, 2017, 10:33:57 pm »

Hi all,

I've just been playing back a track from a trip I did to Jersey at the beginning of September. (Can't wait for the scrub feature as I've had it running for 20 minutes and we still haven't taxied! :-) )

Anyway, I decided to download the track file and have a look and noted that virtually every detection appears to be marked as FLARM - I do not have a FLARM mouse installed.

At the beginning of July/August I formatted my memory card and did a complete software update to the latest version but I cannot see why this would adjust the detection level as only FLARM.... One thing I have noticed is that I didn't think the detections have been as good since I did the format but put that down to planes not having their transponders turned on etc (don't get me started on that). However, now I'm wondering if it has something to do with this. I am based as Wellesbourne so could it be the open glider network 'thing'?

Screenshot attached

Any thoughts and is this an issue/bug? Any knock on effects for detection etc?

Thanks
Rob