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Technical Support / Re: Powering Up With No Bridge Antenna
« on: January 27, 2017, 02:46:48 pm »
Thanks, all understood.
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Technical Support / Re: Mode-CS (Beta)
« on: January 27, 2017, 07:49:02 am »
lol! She still climbs at around 2000ft per minute in a Vy climb up to 3-4000' and may be higher in this cold weather we have- not bad for a 1956 model!! Like you say though, I fly her gently, so cruise climbs or if under IFR 500ft per minute only!
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Technical Support / Re: Powering Up With No Bridge Antenna
« on: January 27, 2017, 07:44:08 am »
Don't worry Ian, I'm not losing my marbles!!!
I asked the question as I simply want to turn the unit on to connect and download my track logs, and periodically update it at home. Problem is, I tend to forget the aerials and leave these in the aircraft. I thought because the GPS dongle and DVB dongle would not be connected that this alone would do the job of preventing the bridge being used to transmit, but like Lee says realise it's probably best to go for a belts and braces approach!
I've created a prototype remote aerial holder that I will release pictures of in due course and if there is demand see if I can get batch produced for people. Problem is it works so well, I keep leaving it in situ!
Lee- is it a possibility to have the software disregard and "ignore" the bridge altogether if the GPS and/or DVB dongles are not present? The logic would be that if someone has the unit in that state, they either have serious hardware failures or they are at home upgrading/downloading tracks, and shutting the bridge off totally would therefore protect it?
I asked the question as I simply want to turn the unit on to connect and download my track logs, and periodically update it at home. Problem is, I tend to forget the aerials and leave these in the aircraft. I thought because the GPS dongle and DVB dongle would not be connected that this alone would do the job of preventing the bridge being used to transmit, but like Lee says realise it's probably best to go for a belts and braces approach!
I've created a prototype remote aerial holder that I will release pictures of in due course and if there is demand see if I can get batch produced for people. Problem is it works so well, I keep leaving it in situ!
Lee- is it a possibility to have the software disregard and "ignore" the bridge altogether if the GPS and/or DVB dongles are not present? The logic would be that if someone has the unit in that state, they either have serious hardware failures or they are at home upgrading/downloading tracks, and shutting the bridge off totally would therefore protect it?
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Technical Support / Re: Powering Up With No Bridge Antenna
« on: January 26, 2017, 11:19:51 pm »
Can it do any damage putting one with a higher power rating on?
Pity they're not in the PilotAware Hardware store, I'd be far less paranoid about whether I was using the correct spec device!!
Pity they're not in the PilotAware Hardware store, I'd be far less paranoid about whether I was using the correct spec device!!
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Technical Support / Re: Powering Up With No Bridge Antenna
« on: January 26, 2017, 10:27:31 pm »
B*gg*r! I already ordered Lee's suggestion.
Are we saying that the one I have ordered is not adequate? How does this work? Am I right in thinking that it is in effect a resistor designed to disappate energy from the transmitter, so the higher the wattage quoted the safer the transmitter is?
Are we saying that the one I have ordered is not adequate? How does this work? Am I right in thinking that it is in effect a resistor designed to disappate energy from the transmitter, so the higher the wattage quoted the safer the transmitter is?
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Technical Support / Re: Mode-CS (Beta)
« on: January 26, 2017, 04:59:25 pm »
Your beta is virtually perfect though Lee. I can't say I have seen the opposite happening on climbs, and it is only a short lived blip on descent commencing. And as you say....its a beta!!
I am quite content to keep my DV window shut as I do 99.9% of the time! I only opened it to test my theory, and also learn how it affects my pressure instruments if operating on the alternate air feed i.e cabin pressure)
I am quite content to keep my DV window shut as I do 99.9% of the time! I only opened it to test my theory, and also learn how it affects my pressure instruments if operating on the alternate air feed i.e cabin pressure)
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Technical Support / Re: Powering Up With No Bridge Antenna
« on: January 26, 2017, 04:53:15 pm »
That's fantastic Lee.
Thanks so much. I'll order a couple.
Thanks so much. I'll order a couple.
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Technical Support / Re: Mode-CS (Beta)
« on: January 26, 2017, 07:54:29 am »
I think I managed to outwit the ModeC/S + filter last night. I was night flying in VMC on top of an overcast layer, and I am sure there was not a soul about, futher East Midlands Radar were giving me a traffic service and they were quiet, and nothing seen.
I started a descent from 3500 to 3000, at around 500fpm, and within a few seconds got a ModeC alert, red ring @ -100ft. I swiftly hit the altitude hold and as quickly as it appeared it then disappeared. I had a good look out and was so convinced it was my own ModeC transmission I continued descent. On doing so the same thing happened but within around 2 seconds the warning vanished again.
What I think is happening is that the cabin pressure is lagging a few hPa behind the actual barometric pressure as the autopilot starts the descent, then equalises again. So the transponder is reporting a slightly higher pressure.
I found I can sometimes get the same short spurious -100 below by opening my DV window!!
Not sure if this helps in development. On the whole though, the filter is very helpful.
I started a descent from 3500 to 3000, at around 500fpm, and within a few seconds got a ModeC alert, red ring @ -100ft. I swiftly hit the altitude hold and as quickly as it appeared it then disappeared. I had a good look out and was so convinced it was my own ModeC transmission I continued descent. On doing so the same thing happened but within around 2 seconds the warning vanished again.
What I think is happening is that the cabin pressure is lagging a few hPa behind the actual barometric pressure as the autopilot starts the descent, then equalises again. So the transponder is reporting a slightly higher pressure.
I found I can sometimes get the same short spurious -100 below by opening my DV window!!
Not sure if this helps in development. On the whole though, the filter is very helpful.
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Technical Support / Powering Up With No Bridge Antenna
« on: January 26, 2017, 07:39:07 am »
There were some posts in the past advising not to power up without an antenna as to do so may damage the bridge.
If the GPS dongle and DVB dongle are removed, and the unit powered up with no bridge antenna connected, is this still the case? Or would the bridge be safeguarded as there is no GPS information and so it will not transmit or receive?
If it still is a problem and danger to the bridge, have the team thought of producing a little gadget to screw onto the bridge antenna connector that produces the same impedance/resistance and protects it for when people bring their units home having left antennas in the aircraft?
If the GPS dongle and DVB dongle are removed, and the unit powered up with no bridge antenna connected, is this still the case? Or would the bridge be safeguarded as there is no GPS information and so it will not transmit or receive?
If it still is a problem and danger to the bridge, have the team thought of producing a little gadget to screw onto the bridge antenna connector that produces the same impedance/resistance and protects it for when people bring their units home having left antennas in the aircraft?
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Technical Support / Re: Pressure Altitude (BMP) Status
« on: January 07, 2017, 01:28:43 am »
Hi Peter,
You're quite right, there was GPS signal by the window before the update, and none by the desk post-update. I hadn't realised that would be the cause of what I was seeing.
Had anyone got advice on the best wifi settings to use?
You're quite right, there was GPS signal by the window before the update, and none by the desk post-update. I hadn't realised that would be the cause of what I was seeing.
Had anyone got advice on the best wifi settings to use?
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Technical Support / Pressure Altitude (BMP) Status
« on: December 19, 2016, 10:30:10 pm »
I just updated to the latest version. Prior my pressure altitude status was picking up a QNH 1022 (actually spot on accurate).
Since the update I get the screen below. QNH=1013
Has the update upset my pressure sensor, or is there a change to the settings?
On the wifi front, what settings should I use now? I think the unit has remembered my previous settings of b, channel 9, 100mw should I be using g and 10mw now? I am a little confused.
Best wishes,
Ian
Since the update I get the screen below. QNH=1013
Has the update upset my pressure sensor, or is there a change to the settings?
On the wifi front, what settings should I use now? I think the unit has remembered my previous settings of b, channel 9, 100mw should I be using g and 10mw now? I am a little confused.
Best wishes,
Ian
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General Discussion / Re: Latest Update 20160708
« on: July 12, 2016, 11:27:11 pm »
The altitudes on the ADS-B and Mode S transmissions would match perfectly surely?
If altitudes on a Mode S and ADS-B target change to identical figures within 30 seconds of each other, you could assume that the they are one and the same target, and disregard the Mode S information until there is a disparity in altitude data for longer than a set period.
Complex logic, but just a thought as to how to reduce CAT "interference" ?
Assuming a bearingless Mode S target is also sending ADS-B as well that is. I would imagine nearly all CAT is using ADS-B is it not?
If altitudes on a Mode S and ADS-B target change to identical figures within 30 seconds of each other, you could assume that the they are one and the same target, and disregard the Mode S information until there is a disparity in altitude data for longer than a set period.
Complex logic, but just a thought as to how to reduce CAT "interference" ?
Assuming a bearingless Mode S target is also sending ADS-B as well that is. I would imagine nearly all CAT is using ADS-B is it not?
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General Discussion / Re: What's the status of FLARM ?
« on: June 22, 2016, 05:10:35 pm »
Interestingly, I spoke to a glider pilot the other day, explaining PilotAware, how light and portable it is and was surprised when I found out he and many like him do not use Flarm at all as it is too expensive.
He was quite excited to hear about PAW Classic, and went away with web address details.
I wonder how many Flarm users there are out there, and have a suspicion that at those prices, many may defect to PAW anyway.
Clearly, those not using Flarm, due expense, are very excited and I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see the gliding community adopting PAW in some places.
Have you reached out to the British Gliding Association and British Parachuting Association with details of PAW?
He was quite excited to hear about PAW Classic, and went away with web address details.
I wonder how many Flarm users there are out there, and have a suspicion that at those prices, many may defect to PAW anyway.
Clearly, those not using Flarm, due expense, are very excited and I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see the gliding community adopting PAW in some places.
Have you reached out to the British Gliding Association and British Parachuting Association with details of PAW?
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General Discussion / Re: Extension leads
« on: May 29, 2016, 01:51:09 pm »
Thanks Guys. Sorry Keith, 3m is just too long, I was trying to reduce excess cable.
Thanks JCurtis - that's a great help.
I'm just mindful of wanting to reduce the amount of items on my glaresheild, partly to improve my view and lookout, and to regain a place for my coffee cup again!
Thanks JCurtis - that's a great help.
I'm just mindful of wanting to reduce the amount of items on my glaresheild, partly to improve my view and lookout, and to regain a place for my coffee cup again!
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General Discussion / Extension leads
« on: May 28, 2016, 09:16:01 am »
I noticed the aerial extension lead on the store. It is 3m long though. Is it possible for someone to explain what connectors (presumably gold SMAs), cable and techniques should be used so that users can make custom length cables for their aircraft?
(or buy a 3m lead and chop it down to length?)
(or buy a 3m lead and chop it down to length?)