Radarbox faulty - to return to W&S

[gzerovti]

Looks like I will have to return my radarbox for repair.

It started yesterday when Myflights decreased in number and I was only picking up local 40-50 miles, usually 180NM.

I thought at first it was the Elad but when I removed it from the circuit and tried different aerials it is just the same. At the moment I have the AirNav supplied aerial on my flat roof and I am barely receiving up to 30 NM!

Will give W&S a call in an hour to return.

Terry

[bratters]

Tough luck Terry.

Sounds like another attack of the dreaded SAW filter bug. It's spreading quicker than Mexican Swine flu. On the plus side, you'll find W&S do a good quick job.

However, prevention being better than cure, I wish someone nail down the cause.

[chris10]

Tough luck Terry.

Sounds like another attack of the dreaded SAW filter bug. It's spreading quicker than Mexican Swine flu. On the plus side, you'll find W&S do a good quick job.

However, prevention being better than cure, I wish someone nail down the cause.

Static is a item people do not understand, its in the air, anytime day or night,day, night  winter, summer, outdoor aerials are very prone to static.
Always ground/earth aerials, you will save yourself a lot of trouble.

[daveg4otu]

Much the same as happened to mine (which W&S have just phoned ansd said it's on it's way back to me  now ) ......

As I understand it they are doing some kind of mod to returned RBs to  minimise  the effects of static.

Chris - agree with what you say(earthing) - but as an HF(long wire)  person I have little or no experience of dealing with magmount type antennae ...perhaps, for the benefit of all...you could tell us  the best  way.

[WAL 2T]

Close to where your feeder enters the house, fix a grounding block attached to a deep ground spike(s) - the deeper and the more metal underground the better. Ground your mast too with a short as possible, straight grounding strap. If you're using the supplied RB antenna in an upstairs room then it's not really gonig to be feasible to do this, then again it's far less likely to attract static charge than a larger mast mounted antenna blowing about in the wind.

[bratters]

Much the same as happened to mine (which W&S have just phoned ansd said it's on it's way back to me  now ) ......

As I understand it they are doing some kind of mod to returned RBs to  minimise  the effects of static.

Well, if there is a fix that can be implemented,  that's most encouraging news.

[malc41]

Just a quick question, is this problem happening with the supplied aerial or external ones?

[bratters]

Both apparently, but moreso it would seem if the aerials are used outside.

In my own case it was the supplied aerial on an outside window ledge but I seem to recall a couple of cases of the supplied aerial used indoors. Somebody will correct/confirm that no doubt.

If it's static......well we can all generate that in certain circumstances.

[malc41]

In that case maybe a general warning needs to go out to all users. ?

[bratters]

There have been several forum threads stretching way back however Airnav state that only a very small number of boxes have been affected and no cause for general alarm.

Just lately there seems to have been an increase - maybe the symptoms have become better recognised. Would good weather mean more aerials placed outside?

I have no idea.

[malc41]

Only thing I can think of with the fairly good weather (Bank holiday weekend excluded of course) this is the result of high pressure. Usually get a static build up.

Just a thought if W&S are fitting a mod to returned boxes there must have been a fair few returned?

[daveg4otu]

with the supplied aerial or external ones?

In my case the supplied antenna - on biscuit tin  a flat roof about  8 ft agl

fix a grounding block attached to a deep ground spike(s)

Makes sense - sadly here we are surrounded  by several feet wide concrete paths. Last place I had room for 150 ft of LW and a vast copper earth mat for HF  working ....Oh- well - never mind!

:(

[malc41]

I'll forget the idea of a biscuit tin on my roof then

[bratters]

I'll forget the idea of a biscuit tin on my roof then

Well, if there's some sort of mod. available............?

[CoastGuardJon]

I know I've mentioned it before, but I'm finding the old Peugeot 405 brake disc is a superb base for the standard twig, with the supplied CD disc it was blowing off all the time - hasn't shifted since I've been using the brake disc - no difference in reception.