New antenna and amplifier

Danielsen · August 21, 2008, 12:22:42 PM

Hi all.
I'm a really new user with AirNav Radarbox and ADS-B in generel. I'm not a very technical guy unlike some of you might be, so I'm not going to make an antenna myself. Anyway, I'm looking for a new antenna and an amplifier to work with and enhance Radarbox.

What I've come up with in my search:
Antenna: http://www.thiecom.de/gp-1090-antenne.html?sid=748038ab6ef6d3efaf85f16dadc03c38 Maybe you could suggest another one for almost the same price? If any better?!

Amplifiers: http://www.kuhne-electronic.de/en/shop/143_Low_Noise_Amplifier Would any of these (which ones) work with RB?

EDIT: I've also found this site and it looks pretty good. Would it still work with an Ecoflex-10 Cable?
http://www.wimo.com/cgi-bin/verteiler.pl?url=radarbox-airnav_e.html

Would I need anything else to make it work?
Any help is appriciated... Thanks!

tarbat · August 21, 2008, 12:42:24 PM

Take a look at the Antenna Kit recommended by Airnav at http://www.airnavsystems.com/radarbox/order.html

It contains:
- GP-1090 Antenna
- 1m low loss cable Ecoflex-10 with N connectors
- Mast pre-amplifier AS-1090
- 10 or 20m low loss cable Ecoflex-10 with N connectors
- AS-1090BT Bias-T for DC-Feed
- 1m Cable BNC/SMA

Danielsen · August 21, 2008, 12:47:36 PM

Ok thanks tarbat. It's the same price level as in the last link (EDIT) I posted.
Will have a look into that. Thanks again! :)

tarbat · August 21, 2008, 12:58:00 PM

Danielson, yes, that looks the same to me.

On a more general question about antenna. Does anyone know if using a GP-1090 antenna and a AS-1090 mast pre-amplifier would improve reception even when used inside a loft space?

I'm just considering whether I can improve reception with a pre-amp, since I can't externally mount.

AirNav Support · August 21, 2008, 12:59:48 PM

It will improve reception however the best improvement is getting it mounted higher.

tarbat · August 21, 2008, 01:11:54 PM

My antenna is as high as it can go now, and I can't mount externally.

I'm looking for something that can help improve reception through concrete roof tiles and concrete block walls. Current range averages around 80 miles. I know, I'm looking for the impossible, but just wondered if a pre-amp would help much.

Danielsen · August 21, 2008, 01:28:40 PM

Thanks a lot! I'm going for the one from AirNav! It's easier and at the same price!

rocket · August 21, 2008, 05:25:26 PM

Mmmm....

As a retailer and definitely not wishing to get into trouble for posting links to my products - and be accused of spamming! Can I please give my alternatives?

tarbat · August 21, 2008, 05:47:55 PM

Quote from: rocket on August 21, 2008, 05:25:26 PMAs a retailer and definitely not wishing to get into trouble for posting links to my products - and be accused of spamming! Can I please give my alternatives?

I'd certainly be interested, particularly if you've got something suitable for mounting inside a loft that may improve reception. Post on this thread, or PM me if necessary.

tarbat · August 27, 2008, 04:43:44 PM

Quote from: Danielsen on August 21, 2008, 01:28:40 PMThanks a lot! I'm going for the one from AirNav! It's easier and at the same price!

Danielsen, did you order one from Airnav, and have you received it yet?

Just wondering, as I ordered last Friday and I'm still awaiting delivery - and can't wait to get it all mounted up and working!!

AirNav Support · August 27, 2008, 10:11:35 PM

PM Your order details and we will check whats going on.

bailey_uk · August 27, 2008, 10:19:02 PM

Im going to be looking at buying an external Antenna soon, and just wondering what peoples view on the 1090SJ mk 2, which is considerably cheeper...

http://www.ssejim.co.uk/26-sseads1090sj.htm

I was advised about the same comanys VHF Antenna too which is on the same website.

James

tarbat · August 28, 2008, 09:41:58 AM

Quote from: AirNav Support on August 27, 2008, 10:11:35 PM
PM Your order details and we will check whats going on.

Support, you can ignore my PM. Parcel just arrived - thanks!

tommyg · August 28, 2008, 11:20:37 AM

James.

Contact rocket, he helped me and i'm getting great results.

tarbat · August 28, 2008, 04:44:35 PM

Well, I've got my Airnav antenna kit installed now, and my immediate reaction is ..................... Looks good!! Antenna is installed in exactly the same place in my loft.

First impressions are that there's more aircraft in the list, and I don't appear to be losing contact with aircraft so often now (the trails have less breaks in them).

One word of warning - all the instructions are in German!!

Now I need to leave it running for a few days to get a decent polar chart. So far no aircraft have flown to the north of me :( This is what I've got in one hour of running.