Stratus/Stratux question

Rgbeard

Rgbeard

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rgbeard
Do these things really need to be suction-cupped to the window for them to work well?

If you place them in the back baggage area, out of sight, will they work anyway? Or just really do lousy? Or??

Inquiring minds want to know.
 
I believe remote antennae is an option. Toss it in the back baggage and run the antennae where you want it.

Or toss it in the nice and toasty front baggage and power it with a Stirling engine. :)
 
The tux uses SMC connectors for the antennas which aren't that great to begin with. Remoting them shouldn't be a big issue. Just be careful on air flow around it, the thing is barely holding its own coolingwise to begin with.
 
I know one pilot who has his Stratus mounted and hard-wired under the "dash" with no external antenna. Works fine. YRMV, of course. No way to know without trying.
 
I have a Stratux simply laying on the glareshield unattached. I tired very quickly of charging the battery before each flight so I have a cheap cigarette lighter/charger that keeps it powered during flight. I do keep the battery in the plane for a backup. My only issue with the Stratux occurred when it decided to quit working on a cross country trip. After an internet search I re-flashed the SD card and everything started back working as expected. I now keep a backup SD card in my bag in case of another failure. If you go with the Stratux keep in mind a power source [either battery or charger wire] will need to be attached.
 
I have mine in a Raspberry Pi 3D printed case on the glare shield with USB extension cables to the SDRs, then the short SMC connector cable to the antennas mounted at the windscreen side posts. Power from a battery pack. Had a Raspberry Pi Zero behind the panel with a Ping EFB antenna attached with Velcro to the side windscreen. Power was a 12V to 5v buck converter for the USB power plug. Removed the old setup as the USB buck converter was causing Signal to Noise interference with the Comm radios.
I have talked with a few pilots who have had similar radio interference with the cigarette lighter USB 5v power adapters. If you use one, be on watch for reduced radio reception when it is plugged in.
 
I use a Stratux/battery/suction-cupped to right back passenger window in my Cherokee. The battery I use is very thin and has its own built-in short cable, and it all fits in the RAM mount. Internal fan runs off controller on AHRS module and keeps things cool. When using the AHRS module, orientation and mountzsecurity of the Stratux is important; tossing it on the back seat or glareshield wouldn't work. I use two short attached antennae and an internal GPS module, and have never had any reception or interference problems. Current draw is so minimal that even the small 6000mAh battery I use has never gone below 75% after a two hour flight, but I do carry a backup just in case.
The Stratux, built w/ good components, is pretty amazing. My A&P liked mine so much I built one for him.
 
MuseChaser said:
I use a Stratux/battery/suction-cupped to right back passenger window in my Cherokee. The battery I use is very thin and has its own built-in short cable, and it all fits in the RAM mount. Internal fan runs off controller on AHRS module and keeps things cool. When using the AHRS module, orientation and mountzsecurity of the Stratux is important; tossing it on the back seat or glareshield wouldn't work. I use two short attached antennae and an internal GPS module, and have never had any reception or interference problems. Current draw is so minimal that even the small 6000mAh battery I use has never gone below 75% after a two hour flight, but I do carry a backup just in case.
The Stratux, built w/ good components, is pretty amazing. My A&P liked mine so much I built one for him.
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Your setup - section cupped to a rear side window - is one a local flight training/rental operation uses in multiple aircraft, except the power source is the aircraft.
 
midlifeflyer said:
Your setup - section cupped to a rear side window - is one a local flight training/rental operation uses in multiple aircraft, except the power source is the aircraft.
Click to expand...

I've considered using a lighter-plug USB power adapter and cable instead of the battery or installing a USB jack, but the battery setup is actually easier, less cables, and may be less interference-prone. Throwing a lighter plug adapter in my bag would probably be a good idea anyway.
 
MuseChaser said:
I've considered using a lighter-plug USB power adapter and cable instead of the battery or installing a USB jack, but the battery setup is actually easier, less cables, and may be less interference-prone. Throwing a lighter plug adapter in my bag would probably be a good idea anyway.
Click to expand...
I use a strapped in battery too in the airplanes I fly (which do not have a built-in alternative - I haven't used my Stratux in the past year except to test it periodically). In this case it was the organization which was looking for an inexpensive ADS-B In solution so renter pilots didn't need to deal with it, including checking batteries. Works well.
 
I power my Stratux through the lighter outlet. Extension cable to the baggage area. I place the Stratux on top of my combination step-stool and chock/oil/funnel container (just a 5 gallon bucket with lid), under the rear window. Some of that foam tool drawer padding and it stays put.

I suppose I could run a cigar lighter outlet from my rear mounted battery to the hat shelf and do away with the extension cable. But that might run afoul of some reg, so I left it as is permanently.
 
A1Topgun said:
I have mine in a Raspberry Pi 3D printed case on the glare shield with USB extension cables to the SDRs,
Click to expand...

I hadn't even thought of the idea of extending the USB side of the radio rather than the antenna. That's a cool idea. We'll ignore the fact that the USB "extension" cables you used are likely illegal by the USB standard.
 
My STRATUX is tucked into the corner between the panel and sidewall. I added some tape after it fell out a while back. The antenna is Velcro'ed to the glare shield and it's powered from a two outlet USB. The other outlet powers my tablet which is in a temporary panel mount. My STRATUX case has a fan so I want to keep it in the open and I can see the lights where it is mounted.
 
Mine’s velcro’d to the back left window, short antenna, and powered by the Appaero installed USB Stratus power. Backup battery, of course.

Haven’t checked the stratux site yet, but wondering when they’ll support the new RPi 4 announced yesterday, 6/25.
 
My Stratux seems to work best with a suction cup mount on the rear window of my Cherokee. Didn't like it sitting on the glare shield, although it worked there fine.
 
flyingron said:
I hadn't even thought of the idea of extending the USB side of the radio rather than the antenna. That's a cool idea. We'll ignore the fact that the USB "extension" cables you used are likely illegal by the USB standard.
Click to expand...

I figured the USB side of the SDR is a powered digital signal and not RF it would be easy to extend 18" without signal loss. Is there a law that the SDR's plug into the Raspberry Pi? I don't want the Stratux police coming to issue a citation.
 
I had my Stratux on top of the tank, behind the passenger seat with a partial view out the back window and the usual short antennas. It worked pretty well, but honestly it was enough hassle that I only used it occasionally. Now that the uAvionix setup is in and working great, I suppose I should sell it.
 
There's no electrical or protocol problem, but the A to A cable you use kind of defeats what USB is supposed to be all about.
 
DaleB said:
I had my Stratux on top of the tank, behind the passenger seat with a partial view out the back window and the usual short antennas. It worked pretty well, but honestly it was enough hassle that I only used it occasionally. Now that the uAvionix setup is in and working great, I suppose I should sell it.
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At least as I understand it, the Stratux and Sky/TailBeacon do two different things... the uAvionix device incorporates a WAAS GPS to drive its adsB-out signal, but does not provide that gps signal nor adsB-in to any other device. The Stratux is an adsB-in receiver that, depending up on what you include when you build it, can also provide gps and AHRS information via wifi to most EFBs. How does your uAvionix setup obviate any benefits or functions of the Stratux?
 
MuseChaser said:
At least as I understand it, the Stratux and Sky/TailBeacon do two different things... the uAvionix device incorporates a WAAS GPS to drive its adsB-out signal, but does not provide that gps signal nor adsB-in to any other device. The Stratux is an adsB-in receiver that, depending up on what you include when you build it, can also provide gps and AHRS information via wifi to most EFBs. How does your uAvionix setup obviate any benefits or functions of the Stratux?
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We didn't use the beacon. We installed the uAvionix EchoUAT and SkyFyx, which provides both UAT ADS-B OUT and ADS-B IN via wifi and serial, if you need that.
 
DaleB said:
We didn't use the beacon. We installed the uAvionix EchoUAT and SkyFyx, which provides both UAT ADS-B OUT and ADS-B IN via wifi and serial, if you need that.
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Gotcha. Sorry for not remembering that uAvionix also makes those devices.. my fault.
 
New panel.jpg

Found the picture...My STRATTUX is in the window and tablet running AVARE is in the panel. Both are powered by the USB ports inthe panel. The antenna is on the glare shield with velcro
 
Today's flight was in three segments. The STATTUX didn't transmit in the middle section and I think it was because I started AVARE before I started the STRATTUX I/O app. Has anyone had a similar problem with the sequence of when to start the machines and the apps for ADS-B in?
 
The newer version of Avare has the I/O built in, so I don't use the I/O app any more. Flick the bottom menu bar all the way over and you'll see "I/O", just turn it on there and you can remove the separate Avare I/O app.
 
A1Topgun said:
I have mine in a Raspberry Pi 3D printed case on the glare shield with USB extension cables to the SDRs, then the short SMC connector cable to the antennas mounted at the windscreen side posts. Power from a battery pack.
Click to expand...

I think I'll try that. Mine must have overheated today because it quit sending GPS position, then failed altogether...

I like the idea of keeping the Pi and AHRS hidden away from the heat and remoting all the worky bits up to the windshield/glareshield area...

Let me know if you come up with some nice .STLs!
 
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A1Topgun said:
This is the case I printed:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:922740
But, there are about a hundred on Thingiverse:
https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=raspberry+pi+case&dwh=375d17335ede70c
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Out of curiosity, what did it cost you in materials to print that case? I've built a few for myself and othr pilots, but have always just bought the standard Stratux case, which includes a fan, and it was around $15. Is 3D printing cost-effective, or or is the appeal more its ability to do one-offs and unique personal fabrication as a hobbyist?
 
MuseChaser said:
Out of curiosity, what did it cost you in materials to print that case? I've built a few for myself and othr pilots, but have always just bought the standard Stratux case, which includes a fan, and it was around $15. Is 3D printing cost-effective, or or is the appeal more its ability to do one-offs and unique personal fabrication as a hobbyist?
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Material cost estimate for top and bottom is .83 cents. About two hour print time for each. I built an Anet A8 for about $150 plus $40 for safety upgrades (300W PS, MOSFETS, Power Switch) and it works well, not quite as good as the $3000 one we have at our library MakerSpace, but better price performance.
I also do a lot of one off stuff, ie. end cap for a Thule bike rack, re-engineer a intermittent pellet stove top cover closed switch, etc, yadda, yadda.
 
A1Topgun said:
Material cost estimate for top and bottom is .83 cents. About two hour print time for each. I built an Anet A8 for about $150 plus $40 for safety upgrades (300W PS, MOSFETS, Power Switch) and it works well, not quite as good as the $3000 one we have at our library MakerSpace, but better price performance.
I also do a lot of one off stuff, ie. end cap for a Thule bike rack, re-engineer a intermittent pellet stove top cover closed switch, etc, yadda, yadda.
Click to expand...
Interesting.. hadn't looked at 3d printing seriously in quite a while, and hadn't heard of the Anet A8.. I thought you were talking about an audio power amp! Looks very intriguing... my wife is mad at you.
 
flyingron said:
I hadn't even thought of the idea of extending the USB side of the radio rather than the antenna. That's a cool idea. We'll ignore the fact that the USB "extension" cables you used are likely illegal by the USB standard.
Click to expand...
Temps were incredibly high today in Denver (of course we had hail last week and I turned on the furnace) so I need to move the Stratux to someplace not in direct sunlight. I'm dithering over the antenna extension cable vs the USB extension cable. Any preference/problems for the two? The USB extension cable is definitely cheaper.
 
USB is a digital signal. Antenna extension cable is RF, which is analog. Analog loses signal over the distance of the cable and is more critical of length and type of cable.
 
I don't seen any reason why the USB extension won't work, I was just pointing out that those cables are violations of the USB standards. As long as you don't exceed the USB length limit (about 15') you should be fine. The A-to-A cables are barred because they're afraid you'll cascade them to a length longer than that. The whole point of USB is that if you can stick a plug into a socket, it's supposed to work.
 
New configuration....NooElect SDRs on a 1 meter USB cable. Works great but....the SDRs get somewhat warm because they are no longer inside the Stratux box with the fan running.

Next problem....works with v1.2 but not the latest v1.5b2. Baffling. Even with the previous hardware config, v1.5b2 doesn't work.

Any ideas? I've flashed the SD card, used a different SD card, no change.
 
Any ideas? I've flashed the SD card, used a different SD card, no change.
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Define “doesn’t work”. Have you connected a monitor to see what errors, if any, are shown? If you’re familiar with Linux you should be able to see what’s getting logged. I didn’t see anything in the release notes about any hardware support getting dropped in 1.5b2, but I didn’t dig too deep.
 
DaleB said:
Define “doesn’t work”. Have you connected a monitor to see what errors, if any, are shown? If you’re familiar with Linux you should be able to see what’s getting logged. I didn’t see anything in the release notes about any hardware support getting dropped in 1.5b2, but I didn’t dig too deep.
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Monitor and keyboard.....

Doesn’t work ——-
FF and WingX recognize the device.
Unable to open 192.168.whatever.
No towers or other aircraft in either app

Everything fine using 1.2
 
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