Radarspotting

Mode-S Software => PlanePlotter => Topic started by: Breitling on November 02, 2013, 03:58:20 PM

Title: Beamfinder feature [SOLVED]
Post by: Breitling on November 02, 2013, 03:58:20 PM
I'm using now an unregistered PP copy on my laptop (weekend far from my home installation). Catched some nice ping logs and created my radar.txt file. Beamfinder fix activated, but not even a single beam shown on screen.

I suspect it could be due to my unregistered PP copy. Can anyone confirm please?
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: viking9 on November 02, 2013, 04:26:00 PM
To use Beamfinder you must be able to share data and I think you cannot do so unless you register.

Try emailing support@coaa.co.uk for the definitive answer.

Tom

Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: Triple7 on November 02, 2013, 04:48:43 PM
Why not just register your second copy of PP and then you know it should work with the Beamfinder function.

Tim
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: Breitling on November 02, 2013, 05:09:04 PM
Thanks Tom and Tim. I've just registered this copy and enabled sharing, but still no beam found. Many received pings in the correct radar identifier, but not a single beam on screen. I have to investigate a bit more. I can see them perfectly at my home installation.
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: Triple7 on November 02, 2013, 05:37:30 PM
Have you pressed F12?

Tim
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: Breitling on November 02, 2013, 05:53:13 PM
Yes, cross-checked everything (I hope...)

- Registered PP copy
- radar.txt with correct lines.
- Chart display beams activated (F12), also beam tags.
- Calculate beamfinder fix option checked.
- IID checked on aircraft label, they show some alternate ID's matching the radar.txt defined ones.
- Aircraft selected (double click) on outline screen.

Do I miss anything?
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: Triple7 on November 02, 2013, 06:32:51 PM
Hmm,

It doesn't look like you have missed anything there. Not sure what the problem is  - Beamfinder only works for locally received aircraft.

Sorry, don't know what to look at next, Tom's suggestion of emailing COAA might help, or post on the PP list and see if you get some more ideas.

Tim
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: Breitling on November 02, 2013, 07:46:52 PM
Thanks Tim, email sent right now.
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: fidaeextra on November 04, 2013, 05:53:02 PM
Quote from: Breitling on November 02, 2013, 05:53:13 PM
Yes, cross-checked everything (I hope...)

- IID checked on aircraft label, they show some alternate ID's matching the radar.txt defined ones.



Hello,

I read the various tutorials on the internet, and seen the videos too, but I failed to see any aircraft in those screen not report their position. I have done correctly suggested however there are some aspects that are almost occult ... I ask why You can explain me the paragraph highlighted in red above.

I have another question too, which is the difference of the option to make the log of ping S (or A / C), compared with the "log option identifier radar ping" ..??

from and grateful
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: Breitling on November 04, 2013, 08:40:32 PM
Every mode-S radar has an unique ID code (II-1, SI-12, etc). Each time it illuminates an aircraft, the aircraft includes that ID code in the response. That's what we catch and we can show the ID on the flight tab (chart options, labels).

Thera are three beamfinder methods:

- Beamfinder: you catch mode-S pings and extract the ID code. That code and rotation speed identifies each radar.

- Beamfinder Plus: you catch mode-A/C pings and extract the characteristic pulse repetition interval. That interval and rotation speed identifies each radar.

- Beamfinder Plus S: you catch mode-S pings and extract the characteristic pulse repetition interval.
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: satcom on November 05, 2013, 08:23:09 AM
Hi Brietling

Sorry not to have replied before....tied up with all sorts of PP stuff at present and its hard to keep track of all the posts about PP on the  various groups and fora.

It looks very much as if you have done everything correctly....however it might help if I could see a copy of your radar.txt file and you could confirm where you have placed the file

Thanks

John

Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: Breitling on November 05, 2013, 09:16:34 AM
Don't worry John, I'm talking with Bev at PP support and he is giving me some other ideas too.

Here you have my radar.txt attached. It is placed on the PP installation folder (c:\Program Files (x86)\PlanePlotter)

[Attachment deleted by Admin to save file space]
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: satcom on November 05, 2013, 09:27:02 AM
Quote from: Breitling on November 05, 2013, 09:16:34 AM
Don't worry John, I'm talking with Bev at PP support and he is giving me some other ideas too.


Ah..great stuff....didn't want you to think you were being ignored...hopefully Bev can throw some light on the issue
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: satcom on November 05, 2013, 09:31:55 AM
Me again...

In your radar.txt file remove the semi colon from the radar data line.....
The semi colon is only used to hide a line , ie the name of the site.....

For example VALLADOLID should be

;VALLADOLID
II 13 41.699623 -4.853570 12.097

Not


;VALLADOLID
;II 13 41.699623 -4.853570 12.097
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: Breitling on November 05, 2013, 10:03:14 AM
I know, thanks John. I was testing just the three first radars, that's why the other are "commented".
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature
Post by: Breitling on November 06, 2013, 08:07:38 AM
Solved. The issue was related to the installation path (c:\Program Files, W7). Reinstalled on a different path it works perfect. Thank you all for your support.
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature [SOLVED]
Post by: satcom on November 06, 2013, 08:20:08 AM
Brilliant...and apologies , I should have noticed that path through programmes
We always recommend everything is put straight onto a folder on C drive unless running XP.

Title: Re: Beamfinder feature [SOLVED]
Post by: fidaeextra on November 06, 2013, 11:11:52 AM
Hello to all'

Breitling, the  only beam that see, was the beam of your first location in your radar.txt file?

I have the same problem and my planeplotter is install too in the program files location.  i need re-install I think so

Regards
Title: Re: Beamfinder feature [SOLVED]
Post by: Breitling on November 06, 2013, 12:21:12 PM
Quote from: fidaeextra on November 06, 2013, 11:11:52 AM
Breitling, the  only beam that see, was the beam of your first location in your radar.txt file?

No fidaeextra, you can see any radar beam from any valid line on the radar.txt file. All lines not begining with a semicolon ("punto y coma ; "). Obviously they need to be radars on your area.