On Sun, 19 Oct 2003 04:17:53 GMT, "John Morgan"
wrote:
What would be *really*
good is if they came out with a portable ADS-B for cheap! But since that
won't happen soon - or ever, the only game left I'm aware of is passive
transponder detectors . . .

ADS -B is currently being trialled just north of me around Bundaberg.
There are plans afoot in Australia to fit the entire fleet as our
radar sensors are due for retirement or replacement in 2008. It seems
that fitting the entire civil fleet with ADS-B for free or heavily
subsidised is cheaper than replacing the radar sensors.

We currently have in operation the placement of 20 ADS-B ground
stations so we get radar like coverage over the whole continent above
20000 feet. Radars require too much power and maintenance in remote
locations. Most of Aus is pretty empty, it isn't called GAFA for
nothing.

Mike Borgelt