FLARM - No GPS

If there was GPS jamming it would have affected the ClearNav and the
Streak, wouldn't it?

Today I removed the unit from the aluminum plate, reloaded the latest
firmware, performed a factory reset and - it still did not work. I had
the unit removed from the ship and had replaced the external antennae
with the rubber duckies. Yes, they were connected to the proper inputs.

The log file appears to show a proper start up with no faults. So where
do I go from here? Is there an internal battery which may have gone
dead rendering the GPS stupid? This thing sat for years before I
acquired it. Is there someone in the US who can repair these?

I've brought home all the files recovered from the PF portable in case
they're of any use to someone who knows how to use them. I've run out
of airspeed, altitude, and ideas all at the same time.

Dan

On 11/25/2016 2:03 PM, Dan Daly wrote:
snip
Was there GPS jamming notam'd at the time?

--
Dan, 5J

On Fri, 25 Nov 2016 18:33:43 -0700, Dan Marotta wrote:

If there was GPS jamming it would have affected the ClearNav and the
Streak, wouldn't it?

Today I removed the unit from the aluminum plate, reloaded the latest
firmware, performed a factory reset and - it still did not work. I had
the unit removed from the ship and had replaced the external antennae
with the rubber duckies. Yes, they were connected to the proper inputs.

The log file appears to show a proper start up with no faults. So where
do I go from here?

Here's a quick list of the interesting stuff in the IGC logs written by
FLARM equipment. This comes from one of my Red Box FLARM logs but a PF
should log much the same data.

The first character on each line in the log is always the record type, so
in the following I refer to a line starting with A as the 'A record'.

The GPS type should be given by an H record. These are grouped together
and should immediately follow the A record. There are typically 10-15 H
records (my Red Box FLARM outputs 14). The one starting with "HFGPS"
gives the GPS type details preceded by the characters "HFGPS" and filling
the rest of the line.

If the GPS is working the log should include an F record from time to
time. This lists the navigation satellites (GPS, Glonass or Gallileo)
that the GPS can see. A new F record is written each time the set of
visible satellites changes. For what you're trying to find out, the F
record just confirms that your PF is seeing satellites

Apart from this, the rest of my Red Box logs are mainly B and L records.

Each B record is a 3D point showing where the glider is at the time the
record was written - no GPS signal means you won't see these in the log.

L records are proprietary to FLARM. AFAIK their formats are not
published so I don't know what they contain. However, its an easy guess
that their contents includes the data used by the FLARM range analysis
tool, i.e. the range and bearings of any other FLARM units yours is
talking to.

I hope the above is some use to you.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

Thanks for the information, Martin.

Here are results from the last IGC file generated by my portable unit:

HFGPSType:u-blox LEA-6A
..
..
..
F19130905101315182021252629

But all of these were recorded while my portable was receiving GPS
signals. Now that it doesn't receive the GPS signals, it does not
create an IGC file... I'm getting the feeling that there's no recourse
but to send it back for testing and repair. I wonder if there's any
warranty for a 4-6 year old unit that was just placed into service a
month ago. Probably not.

Dan


On 11/26/2016 3:11 PM, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Fri, 25 Nov 2016 18:33:43 -0700, Dan Marotta wrote:

If there was GPS jamming it would have affected the ClearNav and the
Streak, wouldn't it?

Today I removed the unit from the aluminum plate, reloaded the latest
firmware, performed a factory reset and - it still did not work. I had
the unit removed from the ship and had replaced the external antennae
with the rubber duckies. Yes, they were connected to the proper inputs.

The log file appears to show a proper start up with no faults. So where
do I go from here?

Here's a quick list of the interesting stuff in the IGC logs written by
FLARM equipment. This comes from one of my Red Box FLARM logs but a PF
should log much the same data.

The first character on each line in the log is always the record type, so
in the following I refer to a line starting with A as the 'A record'.

The GPS type should be given by an H record. These are grouped together
and should immediately follow the A record. There are typically 10-15 H
records (my Red Box FLARM outputs 14). The one starting with "HFGPS"
gives the GPS type details preceded by the characters "HFGPS" and filling
the rest of the line.

If the GPS is working the log should include an F record from time to
time. This lists the navigation satellites (GPS, Glonass or Gallileo)
that the GPS can see. A new F record is written each time the set of
visible satellites changes. For what you're trying to find out, the F
record just confirms that your PF is seeing satellites

Apart from this, the rest of my Red Box logs are mainly B and L records.

Each B record is a 3D point showing where the glider is at the time the
record was written - no GPS signal means you won't see these in the log.

L records are proprietary to FLARM. AFAIK their formats are not
published so I don't know what they contain. However, its an easy guess
that their contents includes the data used by the FLARM range analysis
tool, i.e. the range and bearings of any other FLARM units yours is
talking to.

I hope the above is some use to you.



--
Dan, 5J

On Sun, 27 Nov 2016 10:55:37 -0700, Dan Marotta wrote:

Thanks for the information, Martin.

Here are results from the last IGC file generated by my portable unit:

HFGPSType:u-blox LEA-6A .
.
.
F19130905101315182021252629

But all of these were recorded while my portable was receiving GPS
signals. Now that it doesn't receive the GPS signals, it does not
create an IGC file... I'm getting the feeling that there's no recourse
but to send it back for testing and repair.

If the PF can't read the A and H records and write them to the beginning
of the log maybe its got bigger problems than not finding the GRS
receiver, so at least contacting Flarm or the local rep to report that
your PF is not even writing the A and H records to the log and quoting
its serial number at them may be a good start. After all, it was working
and suddenly now its not.

*** One thought does occur: does the memory stick / SD card you're trying
to write the log to have a write protect switch? If so, it may be worth
making sure that its set to 'write' and trying the start the PF again if
it was write protected.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

Dan- If you decide you want to go with rechargeable and external power, I have a couple of the input plugs in the right size. Give me a shout next time you see me at the airport. Mark M.

If you use external power you do not need batteries in the Portable Powerflarm.

If you do use batteries please read the following.

Rechargeable internal Batteries
The device features an internal NiMH battery charger only active when the device is turned off. When the device is turned off and electrically connected to the vehicle or aircraft battery (either via “Power� socket or power pins on the RJ45 socket), inserted batteries will be charged if the ambient temperature lies within the allowed range for charging NiMH batteries.
If non-rechargeable batteries are fitted to the device, never connect your device to an external power source (e.g. aircraft or vehicle battery)!
The internal batteries may only be charged if the device is resting on a non-flammable, dry base. When the device is being recharged, never allow it to remain unsupervised.
The integrated charging circuit will only charge batteries at an ambient temperature of up to about 40 °C (104 °F). If possible, charge your batteries in a cool, dry environment.

This is all in the manual.


Richard
www.craggyaero.com

Power for the Portable Powerflarm.

Ensure any external power source is only connected in case no or only rechargeable batteries are in the device. External power might damage non-rechargeable batteries (risk of leakage).

Supplied power must be 12 V DC nominal at 500mA (between 8V and 27V DC, 24V DC nominal may require an additional adapter).
This power socket mates with a PP-012 connector (DigiKey part# CP-012-ND or power can be supplied thru the RJ45 port.

This is all in the manual.


Richard
www.craggyaero.com

Richard,

You are the first person to acknowledge the possibility of external
power which I've stated over and over again. I inserted weak
rechargeables simply to generate a log file at home. To repeat for the
last time - the PF Portable is powered externally via the ship's DC bus
in practice and, with external power it does not find any satellites. I
assure everyone, I've read the manual over and over. I've used screws
considerably shorter than the 10 mm maximum stated in the manual. And,
for the last time, I've run the unit with external power, rechargeable
batteries, and alkaline batteries and it still does not find any satellites.

Maybe I can find an external GPS antenna and see if it'll work that
way. I emailed Flarm support on Friday but have had no response. I'll
try again...

On 11/27/2016 6:28 PM, Richard wrote:
If you use external power you do not need batteries in the Portable Powerflarm.

If you do use batteries please read the following.

Rechargeable internal Batteries
The device features an internal NiMH battery charger only active when the device is turned off. When the device is turned off and electrically connected to the vehicle or aircraft battery (either via “Power� socket or power pins on the RJ45 socket), inserted batteries will be charged if the ambient temperature lies within the allowed range for charging NiMH batteries.
If non-rechargeable batteries are fitted to the device, never connect your device to an external power source (e.g. aircraft or vehicle battery)!
The internal batteries may only be charged if the device is resting on a non-flammable, dry base. When the device is being recharged, never allow it to remain unsupervised.
The integrated charging circuit will only charge batteries at an ambient temperature of up to about 40 °C (104 °F). If possible, charge your batteries in a cool, dry environment.

This is all in the manual.


Richard
www.craggyaero.com

--
Dan, 5J