Radarbox antenna

[dc8-63]

Hello there,
I have an AirNav Radarbox hooked up to the supplied antenna which, sat on my desk, gives me about a 15 nautical mile range around YBBN for ADS-B decoding (or more for flyovers). That's OK, just. I have been hunting around for an external ADS-B antenna (tuned specifically to 1090 Mhz) in Oz but just can't track one down. There is a supplier in the states but he can't ship because the antenna is longer than post will accept. Does anyone know of anyone who can supply an ADS-B antenna in this country?
Ta

[rooster]

Don't know of any in Aus., but there are a couple of smaller ones on Fleabay from the UK available. Check
Here on Ebay

[dc8-63]

Thanks Rooster. That's a new one.

[Finch]

Get the antenna outside and give it a ground plane and it'll give you at least 100nm providing you are in a good spot.
If you really want a antenna just make one, they are really easy. I made a 4 stack folded dipole array for ADS-B didn't take me too long.

[Scannersplitterguy]

Hi dc8-63,
I'm interested in the Airnav Radar box too.
They seem to be fairly expensive.........are they really worth the $$$?
I have PlanePlotter software and it receives plenty of aircraft (I use my UBCT9 scanner), but most of the time the ACARS data doesn't contain (or I just don't receive) location information. ie: the aircraft name appears etc but its coordinates don't appear.
I'm keen to get your feedback.

[Finch]

Hi dc8-63,
I'm interested in the Airnav Radar box too.
They seem to be fairly expensive.........are they really worth the $$$?
I have PlanePlotter software and it receives plenty of aircraft (I use my UBCT9 scanner), but most of the time the ACARS data doesn't contain (or I just don't receive) location information. ie: the aircraft name appears etc but its coordinates don't appear.
I'm keen to get your feedback.

ACARS doesn't carry position position information like ADS-B. ACARS is more for text messaging where as ADS-B carries the aircraft type, location, flight number, direction etc.
Why not see for yourself if it's worth it?
Airnav Box - Tasmania
Thats a airnav box.

[Scannersplitterguy]

Hmm, ok..good point you have raised, finch.
I am curious why coordinate data does come through sometimes though?
Would the pilot/s manually enter this?

[Comint]

Hmm, ok..good point you have raised, finch.
I am curious why coordinate data does come through sometimes though?
Would the pilot/s manually enter this?

There are only a couple of ACARS message types that generate coordinate data.
See Universal Radio ACARS PDF

--
Comint

[Scannersplitterguy]

Thanks for the great info, comint.

[dc8-63]

Hi Finch - did that, and yes it improves coverage, but I'm in a dip so have to go up as high as I can. I'm on to getting a new external antenna that I can whack on a pole.
Scannersplitterguy - is it worth it? Well I guess its about preference. I'm a bit of a nerd with this sort of thing, so thinks so. I have a thing about getting my own gear as good as I can.
There is a real buzz in getting your own set up to do what it's supposed to do. Like on Friday I picked up a Singapore Airlines flyover at 32,000 ft (B777-ER) travelling Auckland-Singapore (there is a major high-altitude air route for NZ-Asia traffic over North Brisbane).
Apart from local traffic, it provides a great network connection (admittedly for an annual fee after one year free). I can hook into worldwide traffic which gives me an insight into movements around my old stomping ground (Manchester).
On questions about ADS-B, while modern airliners use the technology not all provide positionals for plotting. Qantas 737s, for example, register with Radarbox but won't plot. Some Virgin 737s do. International flights/carriers do.
But if it's local traffic you are interested in, the link from Airman http://www.balus.info/Radar.php takes some beating.
And it's free!

[vicscan01]

I do not know if this is still relevant, but I am the Australian Dealer for the AirNav System's RadarBox 2009/2010. We also supply an external antenna, that is tuned to 1090MHz. More information on it can be found at our online shop.

http://www.vscs.com.au/eshop/index.php? ... oductId=12

Thanks
Tim Roberts
VicScan Computer Solutions