PlanePlotter version 6.4.4.6 now available for download - Released 22nd May 2016

[Anmer]

From Bev at COAA:

Hi,

PlanePlotter version 6.4.4.6 is now available for download by following the link on the PlanePlotter web site. http://www.planeplotter.com/#download

Please read these release notes carefully because this time, some of the changes will require you to make adjustments to your settings in order to get the most out of the program. Those items are prefaced "**Please note**" in the following.

---Usual boilerplate---

Updates are free to registered users.

You may need to exercise your browser Refresh function to force it to show you the new version of the PlanePlotter web page. If you post a message complaining that the web site is still pointing to an earlier version, you pay a forfeit!

You can install the new version over the old one but you *must* close/exit PlanePlotter before installing the new one. Your settings will be preserved. Nic's installer will warn you if PlanePlotter is still running when you try to install the new version.

If you have a version-specific firewall (eg Zone Alarm), you may have to reassure it that the new version is permitted to access the Internet. Be aware that some security systems treat any new file as a threat without any justification except that it is new. Please don't write to me about it; write to your security system provider.
If you have an installation of PlanePlotter running under Wine, this installer may not run. In that case (only), please download : http://www.coaa.co.uk/planeplotter6_4_4_6.zip which will be available shortly and unzip the files into the existing PlanePlotter application directory. Note that this will only work if PlanePlotter is already installed under Wine as it only contains the new executable and not all the other files that are required to run the program.
-----------

New in version 6.4.4.6

This version provides more flexibility in handling and displaying the new message types that PlanePlotter is now handling.

Omit/delete times

The option in Options..Chart..Options that allows you to define the Omit and Delete times by message type, now includes separate entries for each of the new message types that PlanePlotter can display. **Please note** that you will probably want to change some of the default timeouts as some of the new message types have rather greater latency than the defaults.

Download options

The download section in Options..Sharing..Setup that allows you to choose which message types are downloaded from the sharing server, now includes separate options for each of the message types. **Please note** that since there are several new options that will be initially undefined from previous versions of PlanePlotter, you should immediately select Options..Sharing..Setup and tick those options in the download box, that you require.

V window update

The new message types are now displayed in the V window. In the previous release, the newer message types did not display in the V window.

Rep type 18

Reports resulting from DF18 ADS-B messages were deleted prematurely in previous releases. This is now fixed.

New message type 19

ACARS messages originating from Inmarsat, as distinct from received direct by VHF, are now giving a unique report type. **Please note** that if you have a Conditional Expression to apply special treatment to ACARS messages, you may need to amend it to include this message type.

Also in the context of ACARS, previous releases of PlanePlotter had a bug in the treatment of AMDAR format messages. That is fixed in this release.

Shared registrations

The option not to accept downloaded registrations now applies only to ADS-B messages. Specifically, registrations included in SitRep messages are no longer blocked by unchecking the "Accept shared registrations" in Options..Sharing..Setup. This is because those messages do not rely on the database provided some other user, which could be wrong. In the case of SitRep messages, the registration is the only unique identifier of the airframe. Your local database will insert the hex code where possible.

Also in the context of SitRep messages, PlanePlotter now performs the conversion of the flight number between IATA airline code prefixes and ICAO airline code prefixes for a much wider range of airlines, thus improving the match with ADS-B flight numbers.

Profile window

The profile window should now display any of the hex code, registration or flight number alongside the graph for any Interest aircraft, depending on which of those might be available or missing.

PC clock correction

I have added a tool to this release, which I hope will eventually enable me to apply a correction to the PC clock for those handful of users who are either reluctant or unable to meet the clock accuracy requirements for successful sharing. I had hoped that the use of NTP would become universal so that PC clocks were always accurate. It seems that was a forlorn hope in a few cases, so I plan to fix the residual problem another way.

Caveat emptor

There are some significant changes in this release, mainly to handle the new message types the we are now providing. Since the number of combinations of user settings is an astronomical number, it is not possible to test all combinations to ensure that they work as expected. Accordingly, if there are any unforseen adverse consequences, I will endeavour to tackle them as swiftly as possible.

Enjoy!
Bev
COAA

[IanH]

Was running PP 6.4.4.4a but got fed up with the nagging to upgrade.

Just installed 6.4.4.6 and the MLATs have gone.

Reverted to 6.4.4.4a and they are back. Tried 6.4.4.5 and still ok.

With another install of 6.4.4.6 - no MLATs.

So what tick box do I need to adjust? What have I missed?

Or do I just dump PP despite being enthusiastic about it over the past couple of years?

PiAware is doing a good job in my location!

[Triple7]

Ian,

Please read the release notes!

"**Please note** that since there are several new options that will be initially undefined from previous versions of PlanePlotter, you should immediately select Options..Sharing..Setup and tick those options in the download box, that you require."

Here's what I have - note mlats is now an option.

Tim


[Attachment deleted by Admin to save file space]

[IanH]

Bugger it, I'll stay with 6.4.4.5 until they throw me off.

What's the point of MLAT as an option. IT IS THE REASON FOR PP

Edit: Apologies it WAS the reason for PP.

Moving my external antenna to the RasPi to feed PiAware. PP gets what the antenna in the loft provides.

Edit2: Who reads the full release notes? I scanned the text in this post - some mention of MLAT would have been good since it USED TO BE the USP (unique selling proposition).

[Keef]

The bit I'm confused about is:

"**Please note** that you will probably want to change some of the default timeouts as some of the new message types have rather greater latency than the defaults"

With no advice as to what to set!
Better still why not make the defaults useful?

Maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick, but that doesn't seem a helpful note to me.

[cttrondonia]

I for all.
My question is, can the PP connect with RadarBox ComStation?
If yes, how can I make this.

[Anmer]

Welcome.

The ComStation Instructions do not mention the availability of decoded data on a port that PlanePlotter can use.

It's possible that data is available on port 30003.  Can you Telnet that port and see if there's any data?

[cttrondonia]

sorry for my ignorance.
how can i now i have data in a specific port?

[Anmer]

Are you running a Windows PC?

https://support.terranetwork.net/web/knowledgebase/131/Using-telnet-to-check-port-access.html

[cttrondonia]

The data output is in the port 7879 if i have start the radarbox software.
I have make in setings of PP the option:
Mode-S/ASB-B -> SBS1/RBv3 TCP
UDP/IP data from net
UDP/IP local port -> 7879

I  have start the PP and now I have the aircraft in PlanePlotter.