New to Planefinder/Data Sharing

[Alcone15]

Hello everyone!

Finally got a kit from Planefinder after reaching out to several places to see if that had kits to supply. For now, I have my antenna on the pole mount in my window while I work on getting a decent ladder and an extra hand for mounting on my roof. Im picking up signals at the higher altitudes out to about 190 miles, but I am not expecting crazy distances once I get it on the roof since I am in a subdivision and houses are blocking the horizion.

Hope I get to contribute more and get to know you all here!

 

[foxhunter]

Welcome

Your setup seem to be well maintained, there are a few things you might improve, but let's get your system running for a while first.
Can you give us a little more details about your equipment?

 

[Alcone15]

Welcome

Your setup seem to be well maintained, there are a few things you might improve, but let's get your system running for a while first.
Can you give us a little more details about your equipment?

I have the Planefinder supplied kit that includes:

1 x Plane Finder Radar (PFR) - ADS-B Receiver
1 x 5m Ethernet Cable - in PFR box
1 x Power Supply - in PFR box
1 x GPS Antenna - in PFR box
1 x External Antenna with bracket for pole mounting
1 x Coax Cable
1 x length of Self Amalgamating Tape - to weatherproof the antenna/cable connection

I just need to get this antenna outside and over the top of the roof for better results. Although, I am sure to be impacted by the surrounding trees and houses.

 

[foxhunter]

You're well set up as it looks lioke.

Trees, Houses and even other frequencies (e.g . mobile network) can cause noise, but you will find it out.
i would also check via http://www.heywhatsthat.com/ what's your geographic max range, just to avoid beeing disappointed.

The website is a little odd to use.
Click on "New Panorama", enter your location details (including the height of antenna from ground) and wait until the map is created.
On the map there's a button "Up in the air". Click on it and below the map you can enter values for the altitude of interest.
Once this is done, zoom out of the map and you will see two areas. The yellow one is the lower altitude, the blue one for higher aircrafts (depending on the values you enter).

I've attached an area as example.
This is the max you can get, no way to extend it with equipment except mounting the antenna higher.
This gives you an idea what is possible at maximum.

 

[Alcone15]

Thank you for the website and advice! Below I posted pics of what the site says should be my visibility from 10,000- 45,000 versus what I am actually seeing. I am not surprised especially since the antenna is just leaning in the window. Can’t wait to get this thing up on the roof!










actually

 

[foxhunter]

Yes, for an indoor antenna it is a good range. For me it's pretty similar, i am almost on max range with my equipment and moving it outside could give only a little gain.

Keep in mind that the max range provided by that website is independent from any intereferences you might have. So that is the "real" max range. IF you have a heavy environment, there's nothing you can do about it.