PowerFlarm @ Mifflin

[Evan Ludeman[_4_]]

We had a bunch of PF bricks flying for the first time yesterday. One
is in my cockpit. Notwithstanding my inability to get around the
course (I had distinguished company today), the device appears to be
working well. I had one collision warning of about 2 seconds duration
(it was warranted), and had flarm targets on screen more often than
not, extreme range about 6 miles.

While thermaling, targets beyond perhaps 3 miles would disappear at 5
o'clock and reappear at 7 like clockwork [groan here] and this likely
reflects attenuation of signal through my thick, water filled head
(see "Inability to complete task", above). Range is certainly more
than adequate for anti-collision information.

I'm using the Butterfly 57mm display, and it's small for the task.
the anti-collision display is good, the text associated with benign
targets is hard to read in rough air. Visibility is adequate.

PCAS seems to work fine as well.

-Evan Ludeman / T8

[Steve Koerner]

Thanks for the report Evan. As a contest pilot who's been waiting patiently for PF to come on line, I'm delighted to hear that it finally has.

Was the rectanglar PF display also available at Mifflin?
Does the rectangular display provide better viewing perhaps?

[Paul Remde]

"Steve Koerner" > wrote in message
news:14084208.466.1337266992595.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@pbcqu3...
Thanks for the report Evan. As a contest pilot who's been waiting patiently
for PF to come on line, I'm delighted to hear that it finally has.

Was the rectanglar PF display also available at Mifflin?
Does the rectangular display provide better viewing perhaps?

________________

Steve, Good questions. Yes the rectangular displays for the PowerFLARM
Brick are also being used at Mifflin. The PowerFLARM Brick is supplied with
either of the 2 displays shown in the links below - or without any display
(connected to a ClearNav or LX9000 or Oudie, etc.). The rectangular display
has the same size screen, but the bottom is not blocked by the knob (the
knob only very slightly blocks the bottom of the display in the Display57
version - it really doesn't seem to get in the way of anything). The 2
displays are functionally identical - other than the use of 1 knob on the
rectangular version and 2 concentric knobs on the 57 mm version. The
screens display exactly the same information. The displays are also the
same size as the display in the PowerFLARM Portable - but the user-interface
is a little different than the user-interface in the Portable. I find the
display size to be fine, but I have only flown with a PowerFLARM Portable so
far. I have played with the rectangular and Display57 versions in my
office - connected to my PowerFLARM Portable. Like the PowerFLARM Portable,
the user-interface is extremely simple - it is very easy to use.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/flarm.htm#PowerFLARM-Brick-Display-Rect
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/flarm.htm#PowerFLARM-Brick-Display57

I'm still updating my FLARM page with many new cable accessories. I hope to
have it done later today.

Best regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

[km]

On May 17, 9:19*am, "Paul Remde" > wrote:
> "Steve Koerner" > wrote in message
>
> news:14084208.466.1337266992595.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@pbcqu3...
> Thanks for the report Evan. *As a contest pilot who's been waiting patiently
> for PF to come on line, I'm delighted to hear that it finally has.
>
> Was the rectanglar PF display also available at Mifflin?
> Does the rectangular display provide better viewing perhaps?
>
> *________________
>
> Steve, *Good questions.
>
> I'm still updating my FLARM page with many new cable accessories. *I hope to
> have it done later today.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Paul Remde
> Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
Ive been using the portable for a couple of flights now and so far so
good. Even tried it in a power (Yuk) airplane with good results. Two
questions I have are; Can I remotely mount the portable and buy a
display (Or pipe it into my Oudie) and, Is my flarm going to be
useless for the purposes of dataloggoging/recording ?

[Steve Koerner]

Thanks Paul.

My follow-up question then relates to use with ClearNav. I'd really rather not try to shoehorn something new on my panel if the ClearNav will do the job. Any comments on the ClearNav PF functionality?

[Paul Remde]

"km" > wrote in message
...
On May 17, 9:19 am, "Paul Remde" > wrote:
> "Steve Koerner" > wrote in message
>
> news:14084208.466.1337266992595.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@pbcqu3...
> Thanks for the report Evan. As a contest pilot who's been waiting
> patiently
> for PF to come on line, I'm delighted to hear that it finally has.
>
> Was the rectanglar PF display also available at Mifflin?
> Does the rectangular display provide better viewing perhaps?
>
> ________________
>
> Steve, Good questions.
>
> I'm still updating my FLARM page with many new cable accessories. I hope
> to
> have it done later today.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Paul Remde
> Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
Ive been using the portable for a couple of flights now and so far so
good. Even tried it in a power (Yuk) airplane with good results. Two
questions I have are; Can I remotely mount the portable and buy a
display (Or pipe it into my Oudie) and, Is my flarm going to be
useless for the purposes of dataloggoging/recording ?

_________________________

Yes. The PowerFLARM remote displays work exactly the same with the
PowerFLARM Portable as they work with the PowerFLARM Brick. I have
Butterfly Display57 units in stock and will have the rectangular displays
again very soon.

The PowerFLARM will have flight recorder functionality in the near future.
It will later be IGC approved. The upgrade is easily done using a microSD
memory card.

Paul Remde

[Paul Remde]

"Steve Koerner" > wrote in message
news:33356217.1821.1337270880056.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@pbgm10...
Thanks Paul.

My follow-up question then relates to use with ClearNav. I'd really rather
not try to shoehorn something new on my panel if the ClearNav will do the
job. Any comments on the ClearNav PF functionality?

________________________
Hi Steve,

I look forward to learning more about ClearNav support for PowerFLARM data
from ClearNav in the near future. It is my understanding that the ClearNav
can currently display FLARM traffic. I will have cables on my web site
later today for connecting a PowerFLARM Portable or Brick to the ClearNav's
Nexus board. FLARM very recently published the data output specification
for the output of ADS-B and ModeC/S traffic from the PowerFLARM products.
Therefore, ClearNav should be able to implement software upgrades to support
the display of that data on the ClearNav. I don't know when that will be.

I highly recommend the use of a PowerFLARM remote display mounted as high as
possible on your panel. It is simple, intuitive, urgent and small and it
displays all traffic types. The rectangular version should fit nicely into
most gliders. It can be mounted on the rim of the glare shield cover, or on
a small RAM mount (shown on my web site).

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

[JS]

Just stumbled into this product on segelflug.de to interconnect various devices, including PDAs and Android.
Profits support the XCSoar program.
Jim

http://www.soartronic.com/

We have developed low-cost electronics to
connect FLARM devices, variometers and
loggers with PDAs and Android phones
running soaring computer software like
XCSoar, Winpilot etc. This is a non-
commercial project of glider pilots and
electronics hobbyists, and the original
idea was to support XCSoar development
team.

For more information please visit our web
page or send email us.

[Evan Ludeman[_4_]]

Follow up after another day... of big fur ball thermals... PFlarm
absolutely rocks.

More later, time for a beer.

-Evan Ludeman / T8

[km]

>
> Yes. *The PowerFLARM remote displays work exactly the same with the
> PowerFLARM Portable as they work with the PowerFLARM Brick. *I have
> Butterfly Display57 units in stock and will have the rectangular displays
> again very soon.
>
> The PowerFLARM will have flight recorder functionality in the near future..
> It will later be IGC approved. *The upgrade is easily done using a microSD
> memory card.
>
> Paul Remde
Thanks for the response. I updated the FLARM when I got it (From the
website with the SD Card which was included in the shipment) and I was
under the impression that it would take a hardware upgrade to be
secure. If I can upgrade without new hardware this would be good. I
would like to use it to drive a V7 someday and maybe finish the badges
and a state record.

[Andy[_1_]]

On May 17, 8:19*am, "Paul Remde" > wrote:

>Yes the rectangular displays for the PowerFLARM
>Brick are also being used at Mifflin. The PowerFLARM Brick is supplied with
>either of the 2 displays shown in the links below - or without any display


Paul and other dealers,

My recollection is that the initial brick offering price included the
standard rectangular display, the Butterfly display was an additional
cost option, and there was no price quoted for the brick with no
display.

If that was true, is there now a new reduced price if no display is
wanted, or has the price with the rectangular display been increased?

I'm also curious to know if the brick being evaluated at Mifflin has
FCC approval. I could not find it listed on the FCC approvals site.

thanks

Andy

[Paul Remde]

"Andy" > wrote in message
...
On May 17, 8:19 am, "Paul Remde" > wrote:

>Yes the rectangular displays for the PowerFLARM
>Brick are also being used at Mifflin. The PowerFLARM Brick is supplied
>with
>either of the 2 displays shown in the links below - or without any display


Paul and other dealers,

My recollection is that the initial brick offering price included the
standard rectangular display, the Butterfly display was an additional
cost option, and there was no price quoted for the brick with no
display.

If that was true, is there now a new reduced price if no display is
wanted, or has the price with the rectangular display been increased?

I'm also curious to know if the brick being evaluated at Mifflin has
FCC approval. I could not find it listed on the FCC approvals site.

thanks

Andy

_________________________
Hi Andy,

There were 3 options available for the brick when orders were taken in 2010.
- Bare Brick with no display
- Brick with standard rectangular display
- Brick with Display57 which fits into a 57 mm instrument hole.

You can see all 3 options on my web site. The upgrade price to get the
round Display57 is still not firm. It has been estimated at $150, but may
be as little as $75.
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/flarm.htm

I highly recommend getting a dedicated FLARM display at putting it as high
as possible on the panel - even if you can display FLARM traffic on a PDA or
SN10, etc.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

[Whiskey Delta]

On May 18, 6:37*pm, "Paul Remde" > wrote:
<snip>
> I highly recommend getting a dedicated FLARM display at putting it as high
> as possible on the panel - even if you can display FLARM traffic on a PDA or
> SN10, etc.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Paul Remde
> Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

Is there a rectangular display mount that will "piggy back" onto a PDA
mount such that the display will be sitting just atop the PDA/PNA
device?

WD

[Paul Remde]

"Whiskey Delta" > wrote in message
...
On May 18, 6:37 pm, "Paul Remde" > wrote:
<snip>
> I highly recommend getting a dedicated FLARM display at putting it as high
> as possible on the panel - even if you can display FLARM traffic on a PDA
> or
> SN10, etc.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Paul Remde
> Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

Is there a rectangular display mount that will "piggy back" onto a PDA
mount such that the display will be sitting just atop the PDA/PNA
device?

WD
_____________________
Good question. Not that I'm aware of, but it would be easy to make a plate
and use 3M Dual-Lock fastener tape to make such a mount.

Paul Remde

[Karl Kunz]

Paul, thanks for some good info. One more question, does the brick use the same stub antennas as the portable? If not, can the brick antennas be used with the portable (i.e. remotely)

-karl


On Friday, May 18, 2012 8:50:41 PM UTC-7, Paul Remde wrote:
> "Whiskey Delta" > wrote in message
> ...
> On May 18, 6:37 pm, "Paul Remde"
> wrote:
> <snip>
> > I highly recommend getting a dedicated FLARM display at putting it as high
> > as possible on the panel - even if you can display FLARM traffic on a PDA
> > or
> > SN10, etc.
> >
> > Best Regards,
> >


> > Paul Remde
> > Cumulus Soaring, Inc.
>
> Is there a rectangular display mount that will "piggy back" onto a PDA
> mount such that the display will be sitting just atop the PDA/PNA
> device?
>
> WD
> _____________________
> Good question. Not that I'm aware of, but it would be easy to make a plate
> and use 3M Dual-Lock fastener tape to make such a mount.
>
> Paul Remde

[Paul Remde]

"Karl Kunz" > wrote in message
...
Paul, thanks for some good info. One more question, does the brick use the
same stub antennas as the portable? If not, can the brick antennas be used
with the portable (i.e. remotely)

-karl

___________

Hi Karl,

The Brick units are using a new antenna type. I don't have any photos of it
yet and haven't held one in my hands. I've heard it is a bit large, but
works great. I'm pretty sure it would work great with a PowerFLARM
Portable. But getting one of the Brick antennas for use with a Portable is
not the only fix required for the range issue. It is my understanding that
all Portable units will need to be sent in for hardware upgrades. But that
has not been finalized yet. I imagine it will be very soon.

I already have antenna extension cables for remotely positioning the
existing PowerFLARM Portable antennas. You can see links to them here:
http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/flarm.htm#PowerFLARM-Portable

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

[Evan Ludeman[_4_]]

On May 23, 11:10*am, Karl Kunz > wrote:
> Paul, thanks for some good info. One more question, does the brick use the same stub antennas as the portable? If not, can the brick antennas be used with the portable (i.e. remotely)
>
> -karl


The brick has three antennas: a GPS puck, a TXP/ADS-B 1090 receiving
antenna (dipole) and a Flarm TX/RX antenna (dipole). The two dipoles
are physically similar, but have different connectors. Mounting, as
others have emphasized, is key to performance. I see flarm traffic
out to about 6 miles front and sides, 2 miles or so at 6 o'clock. I
have my antennas mounted using plastic stock cut from cheap Walmart
magazine organizers which is adequate for the moment. At some point
I'm sure I''ll be inspired to do something a little more robust.

Evan Ludeman / T8

[Dave Nadler]

On Thursday, May 24, 2012 9:16:13 AM UTC-4, T8 wrote:
> I have my antennas mounted using plastic stock cut from cheap Walmart
> magazine organizers which is adequate for the moment. At some point
> I'm sure I''ll be inspired to do something a little more robust.
>
> Evan Ludeman / T8

Hey ! That's a very high quality bracket !
See ya, Dave

[Evan Ludeman[_4_]]

On May 24, 9:44*am, Dave Nadler > wrote:
> On Thursday, May 24, 2012 9:16:13 AM UTC-4, T8 wrote:
> > I have my antennas mounted using plastic stock cut from cheap Walmart
> > magazine organizers which is adequate for the moment. *At some point
> > I'm sure I''ll be inspired to do something a little more robust.
>
> > Evan Ludeman / T8
>
> Hey ! That's a very high quality bracket !
> See ya, Dave

It's high quality in terms of electrical properties, anyway :-).

-Evan