Receiving Range Performance Shrunk

[David Moore]

Hi All,

I run an SBS-1 connected to my PC via USB. For many years the SBS could detect aircraft up to 90 miles away, with all-around coverage. Recently receiving range has diminished to only a couple of miles, it only "sees" aircraft from a limited range of directions and aircraft that used to track now don't.

If i tried re-starting the PC or disconnecting the SBS-1 from the power source for a while, I could restore performance, but in the last few days even that doesn't work. The SBS-1 unit itself seems to be performing - I have red, orange, and green lights showing and I have 3, sometimes 4, blue lights showing.

SBS1 Link Tester says the connection is good. Base station software version is 1.2.4 184, Firmware verion is Beavis3 build 306.

Please can anyone help me to find a way to fill my screen with aircraft again? I would be very grateful for any assistance.

Thank you and regards, David

[Faramir]

Could be moisture in the antenna or cable? If the setup worked well for a long time it's the first thing I'd check.

[Anmer]

Welcome.  As Faramir suggests, it could be moisture.

What antenna do you use and where is it installed?

[David Moore]

Thank you for you replies, Faramir and Anmer.

I use the magmount antenna originally supplied with the SBS-1. It is placed on a high shelf in a ground floor room. I have tried unscrewing, checking & re-tightening the aerial to the magnetic base. I have also checked the connection of the aerial cable to the base unit to ensure tight connection & no foreign bodies in it.

As it is not externally mounted, I would think moisture unlikely, except from high humidity(?)

Thank you, David

[Anmer]

Thanks.  Magmount internally should rule out moisture.

Have you compared your local range to a tracking website, just in case there's no traffic around where you used to see it locally?

Traffic volumes are still way down on what we used to see.

Have you tried a different USB cable?

[David Moore]

Thanks again, Anmer

"Have you compared your local range to a tracking website, just in case there's no traffic around where you used to see it locally?" Sure. The traffic is there. There is a Boeing 737 flying over the house at FL38 now which I can see with the naked eye as well as on the trackers but my SBS can't "see" it.


"Have you tried a different USB cable?". No, but I will look to see if I have one with the correct size and shape & get back to you.

Thanks again, David

[Anmer]

If i tried re-starting the PC or disconnecting the SBS-1 from the power source for a while, I could restore performance, but in the last few days even that doesn't work. The SBS-1 unit itself seems to be performing - I have red, orange, and green lights showing and I have 3, sometimes 4, blue lights showing.

This is the bit that might suggest a USB issue.

Does the BNC connector at the SBS-1 feel loose?

[David Moore]

Still hunting for the correct USB cable, Anmer


"Does the BNC connector at the SBS-1 feel loose?" Not now, solid as a rock. It did get extremely loose, but Moonraker fixed it for me.


Thanks again & I will report back on the results of changing the USB cable in a while, David

[David Moore]

Hi Anmer,

I tried another two different USB cables. Using the first alternative made no difference to the performance. Using the second alternative has restored performance to what I would expect in normal conditions, so thank you very much for the suggestion!

Fingers crossed that the performance remains stable and consistent and that I don't have to return for more help.

Thanks a lot and enjoy the rest of your day.

Regards,

David

[Anmer]

Great, good to hear it's resolved.  Thanks for updating us.

[Faramir]

That's a promising result. I'm happy for you and I hope reception will stay at the good level. Luckily there's the forum and Anmer to help!