Messages

2311

General Discussion / Re: Enhancement Requests

« on: August 02, 2016, 09:36:23 am »

Hi Ian,

Yes, I totally agree. A USB 'option' would be good for me too - I just have a bit of a hangup because I used to have PowerFl*rm Core, which relies on a usb stick for configuration and updates. Mine wouldn't read from or write to any of my sticks, yet they kept insisting the problem was with my sticks (what?...all of them...?), not their unit - which I disproved by using my sticks on someone else's unit - so back it went for a refund. With the Fl*rm, there was no way to see what was going on inside except through the USB port. At least with the PAW you can look at the logging and track files - provided you can get them off the Pi of course.

As you say, Lee is looking at updates via USB, so I'm sure he will consider this at the same time.

Regards

Peter

2312

General Discussion / Re: Enhancement Requests

« on: August 01, 2016, 10:44:35 pm »

I just take my laptop down to the airfield, log onto my PAW WiFi and download the track logs straight onto the laptop. Works for me.

Regards

Peter

2313

Technical Support / Re: SOLVED! Mode S Rings

« on: August 01, 2016, 10:53:39 am »

Well done Richard,

I take it you have also been following the discussions re SkyDemon and the rings on this thread - looks like we are making progress!!

http://forum.pilotaware.com/index.php/topic,567.0.html


Regards

Peter

2314

Technical Support / Re: mode s rings query

« on: August 01, 2016, 10:49:34 am »

Hi Lee / All,

Tim Dawson has just posted this on the SD forum. Lee, I presume you will take up his request for examples. Obviously much better coming from you.

"Thanks all. I've done the easy bit which is to make the font size and colours consistent between bearingless and "normal" targets. Inclusion of the ID is slightly trickier though and I don't want to change that code without being able to test it. As far as I recall, PowerFlarm never sends ID with bearingless targets so that codepath will not have been tested.

Perhaps Lee you could provide some example sentences with bearingless Mode S going on? I recall that PowerFlarm never sends information on more than one bearingless target at the same time, does that still hold true for PilotAware?"

Regards

Peter

2315

General Discussion / Re: Connected ng to the correct paw

« on: July 30, 2016, 06:29:49 pm »

Lee always keeps a surprise up his sleeve!! In the meantime as Alan (apparently also known as Pete) and Keith have said above, just remembering the last couple of characters in your PilotAware 'MAC' address, usually works - even when you have 3 or 4 on the go at the same time (don't ask....).

Regards

Peter

2316

Technical Support / Re: mode s rings query

« on: July 28, 2016, 11:27:59 pm »

Pete,

The difficulty is making sure you 'see' the notification of danger aircraft as early as possible. With ADSB and P3i this is easy as they are presented as moving aircraft symbols, which spring to your attention as soon as they appear - principally because they are moving.

With bearingless targets, remembering that not everybody has audio (e.g. early PAW adopters who may still be running PiB based systems and others), it is essential to present the information in a literally 'eye catching' manner, so you see it as early as possible. Lee's initial attempt was to do this using a small aircraft 'piggybacked' on top of your own (best place IMHO to catch your attention). This aircraft changed colour from green/amber/red to indicate increasing threat level as it approached. This was however 'in conflict' with the 'official' FLARM protocol used by SkyDemon, hence why Lee has had to change back and adopt their coloured concentric rings, whether we actually like them or not.

Unfortunately changes to SkyDemon are completely out of our hands, hence our 'polite requests' to Tim Dawson (of SkyDemon) to ask him to help us out.

Regards

Peter

2317

Technical Support / Re: mode s rings query

« on: July 28, 2016, 10:18:51 pm »

Hi All,

I have also added a post on the SD Forum to explain the background, support Brinzlee and politely request that Tim consider increasing the relative altitude text size (and/or add a clearly contrasting background) to make the text easier to read.

We can only await his response.

Peter

2318

Technical Support / Re: mode s rings query

« on: July 28, 2016, 05:07:02 pm »

Ok I will have another look at the SD setting options and if nothing there I will raise it with Tim. IIRC we have had several requests for relative altitude to be reported on audio for Mode S. This would remove the need to look at the screen completely and direct visual scan (and potential avoiding action) automatically. Bit more work for Demi-Lee though!

Regards

Peter

2319

Technical Support / Re: mode s rings query

« on: July 28, 2016, 02:52:34 pm »

Lee,

I have to say, I agree with Pete about the Mode S ring altitude text. As you know, I much  preferred your original colour changing aircraft symbols, but understand why you had to change. I am getting used to the rings but did mean to speak to you about the altitude text which is far too small, and a really bad colour - I really struggle to read it in the plane. If it means getting Tim D to make the text bigger, I would consider that essential otherwise we may need to rethink how we display Mode S to SD. The existing text is almost useless. As Pete says, it is essential, but is so small that it distracts attention for too long trying to read the screen at the very point when you should be looking outside.

Regards

Peter

2320

Technical Support / Re: Mode S Targets in Sky Map

« on: July 26, 2016, 02:17:29 pm »

Steve,

I realise Lee is dealing with your request, but can I just ask what PilotAware software version you are running? I ask because your second screen grab seems to reflect how SkyDemon used to show Bearingless (Mode S) targets several versions ago before Lee made the displays 'Nav System Specific'. In this respect, the system version will be significant.

Regards

Peter

2321

General Discussion / Re: Pilot Aware returned

« on: July 26, 2016, 08:40:51 am »

I have to say that I'm really pleased with PAW.
 On a flight yesterday I had on  one occasion 2 PAW contacts at the same time. I also had ADSB displays of planes within 2 miles at similar levels which I was still unable to see even though I knew where to look.  And my eyesight isnt that bad! Also many bearingless target rings on Skydemon.
I just need to get the audio sorted.

Hi again Brian,

What audio/intercom system do you use?

I also had what could otherwise have been a very close call last Tuesday. I was heading south along the East Lothian coast, approaching Torness power station at about 3,500ft, when I noticed an ADSB contact on SkyDemon at -200ft heading towards me at about 15 miles out. It continued to approach on the same track and level in my 12 o'clock, so I adjusted slightly to the right to increase separation whilst continuing to look for the aircraft, but despite knowing where it was coming from only picked it up on visual at about 1/4 mile out, tracking very close and below me - just where PilotAware said it should be. It was a dark blue low wing GA with a bubble canopy - possibly a Eurostar based at Perth but I can't remember the reg. The point is that it was barely visible against the sea below until it got very close. Without PilotAware I might well not have seen it until it was too late.

Regards

Peter

2322

Technical Support / Re: Heading display of target aircraft in nav software

« on: July 25, 2016, 02:06:16 pm »

On the positive side Ian, you did get a warning which led you to find the inbound target - just not from the direction you expected.

Regards

Peter

2323

General Discussion / Re: Pilot Aware returned reply

« on: July 24, 2016, 03:53:00 pm »

Hi Bobby,

I was an early adopter of PAW, and am an enthusiastic user who has recently purchased a Classic Unit. I tried it out yesterday on a flight to Gloucester, and am pleased to confirm that after making sure the GPS dongle had a clear line of sight to the sky, it worked as intended. I originally had the PAW in a side pocket, and it couldn't find the satellites, so in future, I plan to Velcro it to the top of the console. I haven't connected it to my headset in the aircraft yet , but have connected the unit to headphones when testing at home, to verify the  audio warnings.

Bob,

As an alternative in this situation I would definitely recommend looking to the VK162 remote GPS mouse. I have my PAW mounted under cover in my flex wing pod with the 'mouse' inside the windscreen out in the clear. You could also fit a remote 'Dipole' P3i antenna if needed. Mine is still inside the fibreglass pod, but works great for me. Equally, your unit will probably work fine just mounted on top of the console as you propose.

I also fly from Gamston EGNE (Cessna 182 G-BFSA), and would be happy to meet with you and any other Pilots to demonstrate and discuss the merits of PAW. Perhaps we should meet, if only because we obviously share the same forename 

Thanks for the offer to meet up with Bobby re PAW. I feel his frustration and would love him to see PAW working as intended and as from months of testing, I know it can. I'm now beginning to wonder whether there was in fact a fault with his (now returned) unit. His continuing lack of targets seems strange down in your part of the world as there is usually some ADSB or Mode S about, even if there aren't many PAWs yet, though Sod's law usually dictates not when you're trying to do a demo. I would appreciate any feedback from either of you if/when you manage to get together. If I can be of any help, just ask!

Regards

Peter

2324

General Discussion / Re: G-CEAR

« on: July 24, 2016, 03:26:34 pm »

Interesting. Not sure how PilotAware deals with that one WRT comparing hex and octal entries in the filters - Lee?

Peter

2325

General Discussion / Re: G-CEAR

« on: July 24, 2016, 01:32:24 pm »

Hi Brinz,

Not sure what Txpdr he is using, but it may of course not be possible for the user to re-programme the SDA as 'System Design Assurance' is often set by the manufacturer. Very important however that we all do 'our bit' right. Worth another look at the documentation to see if we are missing something or not stressing the importance of this enough for new users.

Regards

Peter