PowerFLARM Brick ADS-B antenna source?

The link below is to data on the FLARM antenna at 916 MHZ. *I have a good
source for those antennas. *The ADS-B antenna is shorter and for 1090MHZ.
Those are the ones I can't find.

The two antennas supplied with my brick are 98mm long. The only
difference between them is that one is SMA and the other RP-SMA. Both
of these antenna are shown on the data sheet referenced.

Are you saying that some people were provided, or are being provided,
with a different ADS-B antenna?

If so, could this have any bearing on the unsatisfactory PCAS
performance reported by some owners?

Andy

Hi Andy,

Recent FLARM Brick shipments have included a slightly shorter antenna for
ADS-B. I think they had to get them custom made in China.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

"Andy" wrote in message
...


The link below is to data on the FLARM antenna at 916 MHZ. I have a good
source for those antennas. The ADS-B antenna is shorter and for 1090MHZ.
Those are the ones I can't find.

The two antennas supplied with my brick are 98mm long. The only
difference between them is that one is SMA and the other RP-SMA. Both
of these antenna are shown on the data sheet referenced.

Are you saying that some people were provided, or are being provided,
with a different ADS-B antenna?

If so, could this have any bearing on the unsatisfactory PCAS
performance reported by some owners?

Andy

On Oct 15, 11:31*am, "Paul Remde" wrote:

Recent FLARM Brick shipments have included a slightly shorter antenna for
ADS-B. *I think they had to get them custom made in China.


Will owners who were supplied with an incorrect antenna be provided
with the correct one?

Andy

Hi Andy,

It's not exactly that anyone was delivered an "incorrect" antenna. Antennas
cover a range of frequencies. The longer ones should work well.

If you feel strongly that you need a replacement, I recommend contacting the
dealer from which you purchased the PowerFLARM to see if it will be possible
to supply a free replacement. I don't think FLARM has any plans at this
time to replace the longer antennas - because the longer ones should work
fine.

Being a dealer myself, I will be glad to sell any of my customers a
replacement antenna at my cost.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

"Andy" wrote in message
...

On Oct 15, 11:31 am, "Paul Remde" wrote:

Recent FLARM Brick shipments have included a slightly shorter antenna for
ADS-B. I think they had to get them custom made in China.


Will owners who were supplied with an incorrect antenna be provided
with the correct one?

Andy

On Monday, October 15, 2012 7:26:02 AM UTC-7, Andy wrote:



If so, could this have any bearing on the unsatisfactory PCAS

performance reported by some owners?



Andy

Andy,

It would have some bearing, as transponders operate at 1090MHz vs PF centered at 916MHz or so. The "new" shorter ADS-B/PCAS is tuned for 1090. But, when you consider that radio receive function is less critical of antenna matching than transmit, and that the power output of ADS-B and Xponders is much higher than Flarm, I suspect that the short range brick PCAS is more a software issue than antenna.

On my brick, I'm using the short 1090MHz dipole mounted in the nose as on "PK", and PCAS receive is still not great, PF is fine though. On my portable, with rubber ducky antennas and no PF-B antenna, it's just the opposite - great PCAS and just acceptable PF range.

Disclaimer: Only three flights with the brick so far, so brick comments based on only a few hours. Also, all antenna cables are shortened.

bumper

While we're on this, is anyone installing the extra PF antenna that is
supposed to go in the wheel well and let you see gliders directly
below you? (Paul?) Any experiences/options on this one? In a gaggle,
the guy directly below me is one I cannot by definition see.
John Cochrane

Hi John,

Good question. In a day or 2 I will have extra PowerFLARM remote antennas
in stock. They are the same as supplied with the PowerFLARM Brick. I
imagine that one could be mounted in the wheel well. I agree that it would
help improve safety. Once the logger features are working we will be able
to analyze the range in all directions.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

"John Cochrane" wrote in message
...

While we're on this, is anyone installing the extra PF antenna that is
supposed to go in the wheel well and let you see gliders directly
below you? (Paul?) Any experiences/options on this one? In a gaggle,
the guy directly below me is one I cannot by definition see.
John Cochrane

On Monday, October 15, 2012 11:00:00 PM UTC-5, Paul Remde wrote:
Hi John,



Good question. In a day or 2 I will have extra PowerFLARM remote antennas

in stock. They are the same as supplied with the PowerFLARM Brick. I

imagine that one could be mounted in the wheel well. I agree that it would

help improve safety. Once the logger features are working we will be able

to analyze the range in all directions.



Best Regards,



Paul Remde

Paul:
Actually I have a brick, but it didn't come with any extra antennas (only two dipoles). Is it supposed to come with an additional antenna, or do us brick guys need to order that separately?
Thanks
John

Hi John,

The first batch of PowerFLARM Portable units were shipped with a free remote
"FLARM B" antenna. Since then all PowerFLARM Brick and Portable units have
been supplied with only the single "FLARM A" antenna and a single ADS-B
antenna. The 2nd antenna is extra.

The good news is that an extra FLARM antenna is not very expensive. I have
them in stock for $20. They are supplied with a cable that is 6.5" long. I
also sell cable extensions.

Best Regards,

Paul Remde
Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

wrote in message
...

On Monday, October 15, 2012 11:00:00 PM UTC-5, Paul Remde wrote:
Hi John,



Good question. In a day or 2 I will have extra PowerFLARM remote antennas

in stock. They are the same as supplied with the PowerFLARM Brick. I

imagine that one could be mounted in the wheel well. I agree that it
would

help improve safety. Once the logger features are working we will be able

to analyze the range in all directions.



Best Regards,



Paul Remde

Paul:
Actually I have a brick, but it didn't come with any extra antennas (only
two dipoles). Is it supposed to come with an additional antenna, or do us
brick guys need to order that separately?
Thanks
John

On Tuesday, October 16, 2012 12:00:00 AM UTC-4, Paul Remde wrote:
Hi John, Good question. In a day or 2 I will have extra PowerFLARM remote antennas in stock. They are the same as supplied with the PowerFLARM Brick.. I imagine that one could be mounted in the wheel well. I agree that it would help improve safety. Once the logger features are working we will be able to analyze the range in all directions. Best Regards, Paul Remde Cumulus Soaring, Inc.

I'm curious as to how an antenna mounted inside a gear well will work with most modern gliders.
It will be almost completely enclosed by carbon fiber.
It will likely be intermingled with metal landing gear parts.
More likely it will have to be externally mounted and incorporate a ground plane.
Should be a fun install but it could ge a long way toward reducing the 160 degree or so blind spot we have now.
FWIW
UH