@MDA, sorry to be a pain, asking another question. I've had a search on the site you dropped a link for the cable, well, I tried searching for the adapter to connect to the dongle, but I could not find one. Do they actually sell them, if they do, could you find it for me please as I am unable to find it. The adapter I'm talking about is this one (https://amzn.to/2MSaSi5)
This one should be convenient https://www.gigatronix.co.uk/coaxia...P1ZBB3D6-150:863de062092bf20b1ee147ec6851329c Pigtail is better in case of thick coax.
Would this connector (2) be the correct one http://bit.ly/2Bj9TSr For this https://amzn.to/2MqCOuq Check out the 'frequently bought together'. The screw connector fits in the connector on the end of the cable, then the small plug bit fits into the dongle.
Everything will fit together. This antenna has 10m long coax with SMA connector https://radarbox24.myshopify.com/co...b-1090-mhz-outdoor-antenna-with-sma-connector Adapter from 'frequently bought together' is MCX-SMA adapter for generic dongle. Extension coax from link has correct connectors (SMA-M/SMA-F) but length is 15m. Total coax length will be then 25m. Order shorter extension .
Thats the same antenna I bought from Amazon.and the dongle I bought is this one https://amzn.to/2o13aK3 And I don't get why you're recomending this connector http://bit.ly/31skHs4 when it's the wrong type for my setup? Things are getting confusing!!!
You don't want the long coax directly connected to the dongle because it's stiff and the MCX connector on your dongle is kinda flimsy. So he's recommending the pigtail he posted 2 posts ago in addition to the cable with the SMA connector. If you're going to that much trouble/expense, you should get yourself a dongle with LNA/filtering. Get yourself the green stick from here: https://www.radarbox24.com/store If you fix the coax in place and make sure it doesn't exert force on the USB or use a short USB cable for the dongle, you don't need the extra pigtail, which is almost as much as the better dongle.
MCX plugs are available only for thin cables. To connect coax like LMR240, LMR400 you will need adapter or pigtail. Pigtail is more convenient but price is higher. Think about the solution proposed by @wiedehopf, buy a better dongle with a built-in LNA and filter. It will improve reception.
Thanks for the info, both of you. I will be ordering the green dongle from Amazon tonight as I am subscribed to Amazon Prime (will get it tomorrow). I will be sorting out the cable issue ASAP (finances restricting). I will measure the distance from the end of the cable, where I will be positioning the antenna so I don't get too much or too little.Then I will place my order. Will I be able to just remove the one I currently have and plug in the new one without having to install or remove any alreadyminstalled software?
I installed bit.ly/RadarBoxDownload on my laptop last night to see what it's like, but I think it needs the dongle to be plugged into the laptop and not the Pi box. So, it's of no use to me as I got the Pi box for the sole purpose of being a flight tracker. Or, is there a way the software on the laptop can connect to the Pi box?
I ended up getting the new dongle on Tuesday and fitted it straight away. It's improved reception, as shown in the screenshot... I was only able to see as far as 100 miles, now I can see 150 miles Things should get even better when I get the new extension cable so I can stick the areial up in the trees (top).
I’m glad you brought this up. Something I’ve been curious about. You mention LMR-400 which is 50 ohm. I thought the receiver wanted to see 50 ohm. But some of the home brew co-linear are using 75 ohm coax and F type connectors. Essentially cable tv hardware which is 75 ohm. Which one is correct? Thanks.. Don.
The 50 ohm to 75 ohm is not important on RECEIVE ONLY, it is only important for broadcast. It's HAM being HAM. Low loss cable, good connectors, and that SDR is minimal. SDR needs 1090 filter and possibly LNA.
