Hi Nigel,
Count me in for new aerial - I'm currently using one of the suction cup aerials
on the canopy - I presume this will simply interchange.
Dave Shorter
----- Original Message -----
From: nandrews
To: 'Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.'
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 9:57 AM
Subject: [Aus-soaring] larm version 3.05
Hi All,
Please excuse the long email on flarm but this forum is a good word of mouth
news medium and this emails contains important news on Flarm systems, not just
supplied by us but covers all flarm units ( Swiss flarm, LX etc ). Whilst some
prices have been quoted here this is at cost only and a general service to the
flarm community - in other words not for profit.
Those who have OzFlarm or Swiss flarms there is a version update now
available which I strongly recommend using. 3.02 had some issues which have
been well and truly put to bed in 3.05. Behind the scenes we have been doing
quite a bit of testing here, also helped by pilots at the last few comps. 3.05
has a vastly improved vertical separation calculation which has resulted in
fewer false alarms when thermalling. Some other improvements to the sentences
sent out by flarm as well as other tidy ups. You can go to the following link
to get both a full version (if you do not already have flarmtool installed on
your P.C) or an update (for use with an existing copy on your P.C)
www.flarm.com/support/updates/index.html
You will need a serial cable or download cable. Most clubs who purchased
flarms have these or you can make your own or we sell them.
There is also an update available for the OzFlarm display version 1006, this
is not compatible with the flarmtool loader so you need to use the OzFlarm
loader supplied on the CD or available from us on the webpage. The hex file is
attached to this email, if your ISP removed it I can send a CD but you will
need to cover postage. This version is not critical but has the following
improvement which was implemented after the Kingaroy Nats pilots suggested it.
Previously if you were in a thermal or level flight with other aircraft (more
than one LED lit) and an alarm went off, the alarmed LED would flash but
additionally the other aircraft would still be lit, the flashing LED was hard
to see and confused by the other LEDS also being lit. Now if you get an alarm,
only the alarmed LED will be on and the others will disappear for the duration
of the alarm - no confusion. So, the units will run fine without this update
but I recommend using it. For those who do not have access to a P.C in the
field or have problems with the loading there are a few options, at Benalla
there will be an OzFlarm friendly person offering to load OzFlarm - be nice to
him as he is doing this as a favor to others. Also the Easter comps in
Queensland I will be there to update units and clubs also will have someone who
can do this. As a last option if you send the unit back, bubble wrapped in a
post pack with a return post pack I will do it for you here at no charge - even
the ones not bought from us (Swiss Flarms)
So 3.05 is strongly recommended and V1006 for the display is optional.
We have also been doing a fair amount on the antennas and trying other types.
The ¼ wave is really the lowest performance antenna and subject to ground plane
issues, this antenna has been supplied as the default choice as it offered an
easy installation option to get the system up and running with acceptable
coverage. A ½ wave ground independent is the best in the vertical types BUT is
really long, this antenna is around 180mm long and hits the canopy on most
gliders. It is fairly cheap ( around $45.00 ) and offers superior performance
over the ¼ wave stub antenna we use. However, I visited an antenna factory
Yesterday and found a fantastic antenna, it is a clear, on Perspex type -
totally invisible (very tiny lines just not visible) this antenna has a gain of
4db and is both vertical AND horizontally polarized! Means thermalling you have
no reduced signal. They can make it with an SMA on one end, an MMCX male-
female in the middle and soldered to the antenna. As it mounts on the canopy
the inline connector ensures that if the canopy is jettisoned it will break
away. I am trying this antenna on the weekend. These have been used in cars for
10 years in one form or another so UV has no effect on the antenna nor does
heat. The antenna is a boxed quad design - very clever, tunes 820 to 921 MHz -
very broadband and has useful gain. Go to their webpage at
www.laser-antenna.com , it is called laser clear. I am excited because this
will solve lots of issues, like drop outs, antennas in field of view, phase
errors due to thermalling gliders etc. We will be looking at purchasing a bulk
deal - cost only ( plus P&P ) on these so anyone interested please email, I am
hoping to get them for under $45.00. These antennas are near invisible, both
vertical and horizontal and has higher performance which guarantees good
reliable coverage which has been an issue in some installations especially
carbon fibre gliders
I will report on flight performance figures later in the week.
As always Flarm is an aid NOT a substitute for good lookout!
Merry Xmas from the team at RF Developments and have a flarming good year
(Couldn't help myself)
Nigel
"A Queensland Company devoted to Research and Development in aviation
electronics"
Email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web www.rf-developments.com
Ph: (61) 7 54635670 Fax: (61) 7 54635695
**************DISCLAIMER************
The information contained in the above e-mail message or messages (which
includes any attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is
intended only for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed. If
you are not the addressee any form of disclosure, copying, modification,
distribution or any action taken or omitted in reliance on the information is
unauthorised. If you received this communication in error, please notify the
sender immediately and delete it from your computer system network.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Aus-soaring mailing list
[email protected]
To check or change subscription details, visit:
http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
_______________________________________________
Aus-soaring mailing list
[email protected]
To check or change subscription details, visit:
http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
