PowerFLARM updates and installation notes

Seems to be my week for obviously dumb questions, but I'll venture forth, nonetheless...

If the cockpit has no carbon, is it possible to mount the PF antenna behind the pilot's head?

My Kestrel 19 has an utility shelf behind my head, with clear canopy above that. Seems to me that there's a clear view of the sky and only fibreglass behind it, so should get good reception all around.

- John
(PF is next on my wish list)

Hmmm...let's see now.

Months behind schedule.

Expensive.

Very picky about installation.

Features that don't work or aren't turned on yet.

Documentation and manuals that may leave you with more questions than answers.

Programming and continual updating required.

Primary tech support located in another continent.

Another battery draw.

My retired-USAF-Avionics-tech Dad's advice given to me years ago circling in my head to "never drive, buy or fly the "A" model of anything mechanical, electrical or both."

-Insert your own concern here-

WOW! Who wouldn't want one???


I've got a "Brick" model (it DOES kinda make you wonder if it's appropriately named, no?) reserved in my name...but right now I'm 90% certain I'll forgo the promised discount, cancel my order and wait for Version B, C, D...or whatever when all the bugs are finally worked out and everything is turned on and operational. For the time being, I'll start using the Zaon PCAS that I just ordered for less than 1/3 the cost of the PF to at least keep me clear of the squawkers.

Sure wish the version used in Europe could just have been used here. Understand that was not in the cards for the USA, still...the hassle-factor of this device has crossed my (admittedly low) pain threshold and I believe I'll join the late bloomers and technology Luddites.

RS

On Friday, June 1, 2012 10:58:10 AM UTC-7, C-FFKQ (42) wrote:
Seems to be my week for obviously dumb questions, but I'll venture forth, nonetheless...

If the cockpit has no carbon, is it possible to mount the PF antenna behind the pilot's head?

My Kestrel 19 has an utility shelf behind my head, with clear canopy above that. Seems to me that there's a clear view of the sky and only fibreglass behind it, so should get good reception all around.

- John
(PF is next on my wish list)

Obscuring the antenna, especially its forward view with a fat head is probably not a good idea. Get those antennas up front on top of the glareshield....

Darryl

For a product specifically designed for gliders, the designers don't
seem to have paid much attention to the form factor of either the
brick or the antenna as relates to gliders. Maybe a shorter antenna
with less gain would be better than a long antenna with no place to
install properly. Also (Darryl may correct me on this) a dual antenna
configuration on the brick (not the dipole) will be very directional,
with most of the signal radiating fore an aft of the plane of the
antennas. So be careful how you orient them. I will eventually get
flarm, but this is just another reason to wait until the bugs are
shaken out. Incorrect polarization of the butterfly display is
another one.

On Friday, June 1, 2012 3:25:27 PM UTC-7, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
For a product specifically designed for gliders, the designers don't
seem to have paid much attention to the form factor of either the
brick or the antenna as relates to gliders. Maybe a shorter antenna
with less gain would be better than a long antenna with no place to
install properly. Also (Darryl may correct me on this) a dual antenna
configuration on the brick (not the dipole) will be very directional,
with most of the signal radiating fore an aft of the plane of the
antennas. So be careful how you orient them. I will eventually get
flarm, but this is just another reason to wait until the bugs are
shaken out. Incorrect polarization of the butterfly display is
another one.

Hi Matt

I suspect the Flarm developers have a good understanding of antenna gain and radiation pasterns (remember the more on-axis gain the less off axis gain and Flarm has to optimize all this to detect threats that may be on the horizon or significantly angled below or above the glider) to optimize their product. The lower gain stubby little antenna of a Zaon MRX by comparison only has to receive relatively powerful transponder signals (compared to the flarm-flarm signals) and how PCAS operates means its only really interesting to work at relatively short range whereas the 1090ES data-in capability of the PowerFLARM means you probalby want higher antenna gain PCAS/1090ES antenna than just for a PCAS only device).

I am not sure what you mean by the "dual antenna configuration on the brick". But maybe I can try to see if I can cover that.

Both the PowerFLARM portable and brick units have connectors for Flarm A and Flarm B antennas. The Flarm A antenna transmits an receives flarm messages, the Flarm B antenna only receives flarm messages. The Flarm B antenna is really intended for mounting in a location to give improved reception in directions that would be largely shielded today when using a single Flarm A antenna (ideally located on top of the glareshield). That shielded direction is mostly rearward (and also below the glider), with areas shielded by the pilot's body and carbon fiber fuselage etc. I see a Flarm B antenna mounted in future under or on top of my glider tail boom (on top to potentially avoid being too close to the transponder antenna). In a configuration like this overall signal sensitivity may or may not be that directional. It might be much more isotropic than a single antenna blocked to the rear by a pilots body and carbon fuselage.

The 1090ES/PCAS antenna next to the Flarm A antenna on the PF Portable will result in some directionality of both antennas (weaker signal towards the otehr antenna -- I'd wild guess several 10% signal reduction) but I am sure that is all well understood as a part of many tradeoffs the developers have to live with.

Or am I missing what you meant?

Darryl

The optimum FLARM antenna installation:
http://www.airforce-technology.com/p...2-aircraft.jpg

Sorry, couldn't help myself.


"Darryl Ramm" wrote in message
...
On Friday, June 1, 2012 3:25:27 PM UTC-7, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
For a product specifically designed for gliders, the designers don't
seem to have paid much attention to the form factor of either the
brick or the antenna as relates to gliders. Maybe a shorter antenna
with less gain would be better than a long antenna with no place to
install properly. Also (Darryl may correct me on this) a dual antenna
configuration on the brick (not the dipole) will be very directional,
with most of the signal radiating fore an aft of the plane of the
antennas. So be careful how you orient them. I will eventually get
flarm, but this is just another reason to wait until the bugs are
shaken out. Incorrect polarization of the butterfly display is
another one.

Hi Matt

I suspect the Flarm developers have a good understanding of antenna gain and
radiation pasterns (remember the more on-axis gain the less off axis gain
and Flarm has to optimize all this to detect threats that may be on the
horizon or significantly angled below or above the glider) to optimize their
product. The lower gain stubby little antenna of a Zaon MRX by comparison
only has to receive relatively powerful transponder signals (compared to the
flarm-flarm signals) and how PCAS operates means its only really interesting
to work at relatively short range whereas the 1090ES data-in capability of
the PowerFLARM means you probalby want higher antenna gain PCAS/1090ES
antenna than just for a PCAS only device).

I am not sure what you mean by the "dual antenna configuration on the
brick". But maybe I can try to see if I can cover that.

Both the PowerFLARM portable and brick units have connectors for Flarm A and
Flarm B antennas. The Flarm A antenna transmits an receives flarm messages,
the Flarm B antenna only receives flarm messages. The Flarm B antenna is
really intended for mounting in a location to give improved reception in
directions that would be largely shielded today when using a single Flarm A
antenna (ideally located on top of the glareshield). That shielded direction
is mostly rearward (and also below the glider), with areas shielded by the
pilot's body and carbon fiber fuselage etc. I see a Flarm B antenna mounted
in future under or on top of my glider tail boom (on top to potentially
avoid being too close to the transponder antenna). In a configuration like
this overall signal sensitivity may or may not be that directional. It might
be much more isotropic than a single antenna blocked to the rear by a pilots
body and carbon fuselage.

The 1090ES/PCAS antenna next to the Flarm A antenna on the PF Portable will
result in some directionality of both antennas (weaker signal towards the
otehr antenna -- I'd wild guess several 10% signal reduction) but I am sure
that is all well understood as a part of many tradeoffs the developers have
to live with.

Or am I missing what you meant?

Darryl

Obscuring the antenna, especially its forward view with a fat head is probably not a good idea. Get those antennas up front on top of the glareshield....

Darryl

Thanks, Darryl... I'll assume that you're not calling me a fat-head