Building and installing a PilotAware ATOM Station to detect and re-transmit glider and
Mode-S MLAT locations and provide Virtual RADAR SERVER December 2020.
Page 8 of 25
•
The Co-Axial cables should then be dressed to the location of the electronics which
should be as close as practically possible. (Take care that you know which cable goes
to which antenna by labelling the loose ends.)
•
A suitable short pigtail is usually required to connect the N-type connector to the
chosen RTL-SDR dongle. This will either be a male SMA or Mcx connector depending
on the RTLSDR chosen.
•
Female N-Type to SMA pigtails are useful as they can then be used as bulkhead
connectors on the side(s) of a larger enclosure for a more professional installation.
Note this will then require male N-type connectors on each end of the main HDF
cables.
Connecting the Electronics
A good tip is to mount the electronic onto a small wall board or box to secure the units
without putting stress onto the components or cables. The cables can then be secured with
cleats. The electronics are connected to the following interfaces. (
The following diagram is
typical only and will vary between installations)
The diagram below is representative only. Your installation may change depending on the
RTL-
SDR’s and connector types used. The following instructions therefore will not be the
same for all installations.
1.
Pigtails are required to convert the N-Type connectors on the co-axial cable to the SMA
or Mcx connectors of the RTL-SDR dongles. This will be bespoke to your installation. In
this example a N-type to SMA converter and a SMA to Mcx pigtail is used .
2.
The coaxial cable connected to the P3i Antenna (shown on the left) is connected firmly
to the SMA connector on the PilotAware Bridge. A pigtail can also be used here for
flexibility.
3.
The Coaxial cable connected to the
FLARM Antenna
is connected to the RTL-SDR in the
top left hand USB slot. An SMA to mcx pigtail is used in this diagram. For an optimal
installation an RTLSDR with a Temperature Controlled Oscillator (TCO) is recommended.
4.
The Coaxial cable connected to the
1090MHz Antenna
is connected to the RTL-SDR in
the bottom left hand USB slot. An SMA to mcx pigtail is used in this diagram. It is not
necessary to have an RTLSDR with a TCO unless the optimum installation is required.
5.
The Ethernet cable is connected to the Ethernet port of the Raspberry Pi, with the other
end connected to a free port on the local router
6.
The Raspberry Pi power supply is connected to the mains supply.
7.
DO NOT AT THIS POINT TURN THE POWER ON.
8.
Make sure that the complete set up is located firmly and that there is no bending
moments causing pressure on any of the components.
9.
Cable cleats and other fixtures should be used to affect a neat installation or the
equipment installed in a suitable enclosure.
10.
The hardware is now set up.
The Diagram below is representative of one installation only and can be implemented in
many ways when you do it at your site.