Tinkering with your Dongle setup

[Bethsalem]

I just can't leave well alone...

I've attached a picture of my current dongle setup. By attaching an LNA and LTCC 1090MHz filter just in front of this newly revised version of the venerable R820 dongle I have more than doubled my frame-rate, and much more importantly, the number of aircraft on my screen.

For example, using the dongle alone I'm seeing 225 frames per second and 35 aircraft on screen.

With the LNA and filter I'm seeing 550 frames per second and 55 aircraft on screen. 

The total cost of this setup, new dongle, LNA, tablet charger, connectors, boxes and filter, but excluding antenna, coaxial cable and laptop, was about 75 euros including total postage.

Not a bad expenditure for the increase in sensitivity which now rivals my Beast setup, which cost considerably more.

[Attachment deleted by Admin to save file space]

[Radio2.0]

I have the LNA to and its rubbis. There are better one the marked. The are powert by an modified Dongle so the LNA could be next to the Antenna.

[Anmer]

I have the LNA to and its rubbis.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[IanH]

I've got an LNA as well. Not sure that it is rubbish. OK, I did not have any success with it, but I don't know what settings to use on the dongle. Probably overloaded the input to the dongle with the default settings! Didn't have the time to mess around with it.

@Bethy - what software are you using to display the output from the dongle? What settings to you use for the gain with the LNA connected?

I'm off on holiday tomorrow so I'll give the LNA a try again when I come back

[Radio2.0]

I use Auto gain.

[Bethsalem]

I've got an LNA as well. Not sure that it is rubbish. OK, I did not have any success with it, but I don't know what settings to use on the dongle. Probably overloaded the input to the dongle with the default settings! Didn't have the time to mess around with it.

@Bethy - what software are you using to display the output from the dongle? What settings to you use for the gain with the LNA connected?

I'm off on holiday tomorrow so I'll give the LNA a try again when I come back

Hi Ian

On it's own the LNA doesn't do much, so Radio 2.0 has a point. It increases the noise as well as the signal so you are no better off. Likewise, Adam's bandpass filter, on it's own, doesn't improve things either.

However..... if you pair this LNA with Adam's bandpass filter, putting the LNA before the filter, then, boy, do things improve dramatically! Even more so if you set the Dongle's gain around the 30dB mark.

As regards software, I'm using VRS as I haven't yet found a way to combine the Dongle's feed with the Beast's in order to display both on PP.

So in conclusion, LNA and bandfilter used separately equals no noticeable effect on sensitivity.

Combined as antenna-LNA-bandpass filter-dongle-pc, equals getting close to my Beast in terms of range and number of aircraft detected.

[IanH]

Thanks - I've ordered the dongle. Next will be the filter 

[Radio2.0]

if you are interested in filter: http://www.hftechnik.at/produkte/

Likewise, Adam's bandpass filter, on it's own, doesn't improve things either.

In my cache the Filter i now use give a huge different between nothink and filter. 
Before i cant get any Signal from the Airport now i see quite all.

putting the LNA before the filter, then, boy, do things improve dramatically!

In my chase its different. I put the Filter before the LNA. Otherwise i get ~10%.

[Bethsalem]

Thanks - I've ordered the dongle. Next will be the filter 

Adam's still got filters in stock. Also FlightAware are offering a new 1090MHz bandpass filter. I've ordered one and will report on its performance in due course. The CosyCave website is up and running again, and the LNA, both USB and Bias T powered variants, are currently in stock.

[Barnsley Spotter]

Bethsalem,

Are the four way boxes ip65 rated?

Im returning to the dongle whilst the sbs3 is being fixed.

[IanH]

Also FlightAware are offering a new 1090MHz bandpass filter

RTL-SDR dongle has arrived - took about 3 weeks to get here. Already have the CosyCave LNA.

Where on the Flightaware site does it mention 1090 filters for sale?

[Radio2.0]

www.hftechnik.at filter for sale.
or if you want a cheap i can offer you an good for 30€. 

[Anmer]

Where on the Flightaware site does it mention 1090 filters for sale?

They're sold via Amazon.com but appear to be out of stock:

https://discussions.flightaware.com/post181483.html?sid=17697119f91ee9ed66ff21e787acedcc#p181483

[IanH]

Thanks - found them on eBay after eventually finding a link under the Piaware instructions.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141748987047?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Bethsalem]

Bethsalem,

Are the four way boxes ip65 rated?

Im returning to the dongle whilst the sbs3 is being fixed.

No, only IP54, but I could have bought weatherproof, exterior boxes, which were IP67 rated, so you should be able to source higher rated four-way boxes in the UK without much problem from a diy store.