Radarspotting

Mode-S Receivers => AirNav Systems RadarBox and ComStation => Topic started by: MikeG1HGD on September 27, 2014, 08:24:18 PM

Title: RadarBox
Post by: MikeG1HGD on September 27, 2014, 08:24:18 PM
Well i got it working - eventually!! Had to download new drivers for Win7, but got there after a bit of swearing.....
Learning curve here i come  :(
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: mhm on September 28, 2014, 01:09:25 PM
Greetings Mike

Please give us you views when you have set up this device. It may help someone else who may buy one
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: tarbat on September 28, 2014, 06:07:08 PM
Quote from: MikeG1HGD on September 27, 2014, 08:24:18 PM
Well i got it working - eventually!! Had to download new drivers for Win7, but got there after a bit of swearing.....
Learning curve here i come  :(

And if you need any help with using Radarbox, just ask.
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: Anmer on September 28, 2014, 06:59:55 PM
Quote from: tarbat on September 28, 2014, 06:07:08 PM
And if you need any help with using Radarbox, just ask.

Thanks for that offer Chris (Tarbat).

For MikeG1HGD, please be aware that Tarbat has invaluable experience of the RadarBox receiver and software and if anyone can help you, he will.
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: MikeG1HGD on September 28, 2014, 07:11:04 PM
Thanks guys - i only had a quick play last night after i had set it up, and have been out for most of today, so again not much time to play with it.

My first thought is that it wasn't that easy to set up - not helped by the drivers on the disk being outdated, which to be fair, with it being a used item isnt that surprising. Thankfully a quick Google provided the source of the updated drivers.

It still wasn't a simple fix though, and i don't know that a compter novice would have sorted it without help. (i have to own up to being a Windows hater here - although i've used it since the days of 3.1, i haven't liked a version of it since XP, and still don't know my way around the "guts" of win7 that i have on my shack PC. I've been a dedicated Mac user for 5 years now, and love them - i only use a PC still because the radio software available for Macs is poor....)

I'm still finding my way around the Radarbox software - my first impression is "yuk" - it isn't pretty is it?! I guess that i had expected it to be as easy on the eye as the web based systems, but to be presented with an almost DOS looking "radar" screen was a bit of a shock - the labels for the aircraft on the screen aren't that legible to my eyes - perahps that is a fault of my monitor to a degree??

I'm going to try to persevere with it for a while, but to be honest i am a bit "underwhelmed" by it and wonder if i may as well just stuck with the web based versions and saved myself a bit of money......(which thinking back is maybe the reason i didn't keep the SBS1ER i had before for longer than i did......)

Being logical, it won't help that i live in a dip, so i am not able to "see" as much of the sky for the signals to reach my antenna - getting one up outside would help of course, and i am in the process of upgrading my antenna "farm" for my HF, V/UHF ham radios and my airband receivers, so maybe the 1090 band needs to be factored into what i'm doing?

Anyway, as i say, i'm not going to make a quick descision to ditch the whole thing - i'm sure i will get some enjoyment out of it over the Winter :-)

Cheers for now, and thanks again for your good wishes and offers of help.

Mike.
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: Anmer on September 28, 2014, 08:08:14 PM
Thanks for the update.

An external, 1090Mhz antenna should make a big difference to your coverage.

What version if the RadarBox software have you installed?  There was a release a few years ago and I don't think any receivers were distributed with updated disks.
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: MikeG1HGD on September 28, 2014, 09:29:21 PM
Thanks Anmer!

I've just checked and the software is V2.01, dated 2008-08-20, and the Firmware is 02.03.1

Hope that makes sense!

Has anyone tried those 1090 antennas that you can buy from the chap on eBay from Slovakia? They seem to be a VERY good price, maybe too good to be true??

Cheers,
Mike
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: tarbat on September 29, 2014, 07:30:16 AM
Quote from: MikeG1HGD on September 28, 2014, 09:29:21 PM
I've just checked and the software is V2.01, dated 2008-08-20, and the Firmware is 02.03.1

v2 is a very old version!  Best to use the latest version, which is a free update.  Use v5 which can be downloaded at
http://www.airnavsystems.com/Radarbox/support.html

Also, to make things easier in the future, DO NOT install in the default folder.  Instead install v5 in a different folder, something like C:\Airnav
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: tarbat on September 29, 2014, 07:39:12 AM
The aircraft label font size can be adjusted in Preferences.

Also note that there is an Airnav Radarbox forum at
http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php

It's not very active nowadays, but has many answers to various support questions over the years that you might find useful.
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: Anmer on September 29, 2014, 07:56:15 AM
Quote from: tarbat on September 29, 2014, 07:39:12 AM
It's not very active nowadays.

You can say that again.

And AirNav ignores all posts that would benefit from its response.  It's even stopped promising a new release "soon".

But if you want to submit a change to the aircraft database, that's where you should post.
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: tarbat on September 29, 2014, 07:57:55 AM
MikeG1HD, with a bit of tweaking of display settings, you should be able to get something like this for your radar map

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/9816247195/sizes/o/
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: MikeG1HGD on September 29, 2014, 08:02:26 AM
Thanks Tarbat, very helpful info there!! I will have a play tonight when I get home from work :-)

I couldn't see the flickr photo i'm afraid - something about not being allowed to view it as it is private (modern technology eh?)

I'm sure with a bit of patience I will get sorted how I would like it to work.

Have a good day.

Cheers,

Mike.
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: Anmer on September 29, 2014, 08:09:46 AM
Quote from: tarbat on September 29, 2014, 07:57:55 AM
MikeG1HD, with a bit of tweaking of display settings, you should be able to get something like this for your radar map

I can't view this image either.  Please check the link url.
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: tarbat on September 29, 2014, 08:14:38 AM
Try this link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/15385716511/
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: Anmer on September 29, 2014, 08:23:33 AM
That works, thanks.
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: MikeG1HGD on September 29, 2014, 08:44:03 AM
Yep, worked for me too - thank you! :-)
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: tarbat on September 29, 2014, 10:49:37 AM
Mike, centred on Coventry this is what you should be able to achieve on the map, using various downloaded outline files from Rod's website at http://www.rodbearden.com/RadarBox/Downloads.htm

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3875/15203036579_62c0394108_z_d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/15203036579/sizes/o/)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/15203036579/sizes/o/
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: Sun Worshipper on September 29, 2014, 12:02:41 PM
Just a word of advice Mike.

If you do join the Air Nav Forums, don't dare be critical of the product or say anything that is detrimental about the company or it's support.  You will be banned.

Don't take my word for it, look back at endless threads on this site and make up your own mind.

From one Coventry kid to another.........welcome to the madhouse!
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: MikeG1HGD on September 29, 2014, 12:05:30 PM
Wow! That is a shed load better than what I have at the moment!

Thank you SO much for that link - I have downloaded the V5 software to a memory stick to save time tonight when I get home, and I think with that plus the link you just posted and a lot of patience I should be able to get somewhere.

Anmer wasn't joking when he said you were the man when it comes to radarbox was he?

Much appreciated.

Cheers,

Mike.
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: MikeG1HGD on September 29, 2014, 12:07:51 PM
Quote from: Sun Worshipper on September 29, 2014, 12:02:41 PM
Just a word of advice Mike.

If you do join the Air Nav Forums, don't dare be critical of the product or say anything that is detrimental about the company or it's support.  You will be banned.

Don't take my word for it, look back at endless threads on this site and make up your own mind.

From one Coventry kid to another.........welcome to the madhouse!

Thanks SW - I had gathered this from a bit of Googling! I will bite my tongue and be very PC if I venture onto their forum. ;-)
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: mhm on September 29, 2014, 01:52:08 PM
Mike

Also be wary of parting with bank details.
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: Sun Worshipper on September 29, 2014, 04:54:55 PM
Quote from: mhm on September 29, 2014, 01:52:08 PM
Mike

Also be wary of parting with bank details.

Forgot that one, doh! ;D
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: MikeG1HGD on September 29, 2014, 05:08:08 PM
Blimey, have I bought a hardware version of the mafia????  ???
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: MikeG1HGD on September 29, 2014, 07:13:23 PM
OMG - that's better! Thanks Tarbat - the V5 software is better (takes an age to open, maybe because it was the first time?) but looks nicer AND i have been able to make the font bigger for the labels - i can read them now :)
Am also "seeing" more planes than before, and haven't changed a thing about the antenna.
Title: Re: RadarBox
Post by: MikeG1HGD on September 29, 2014, 07:25:05 PM
and just to prove it  ;D


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