LX9070 always with FLARM HW? Performance vs. PowerFLARM

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Mana

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Apr 18, 2022, 4:44:55 AM4/18/22
to LXNav Soaring Glider Equipment User Discussion Group

My glider (bought used) is equipped with an LX9070, a PowerFLARM core and an ATD57 air traffic display. I recently added FLARM targets to the LX9070 display (before I only had them on the ATD57) and I see more targets on the LX than on the ATD57!

 

I am puzzled, it’s as if the LX9070 had its own FLARM receiver but with better performance than the PowerFLARM. Do you guys know that it is the case, or is FLARM hardware an option on the LX9070? If it’s an option how can I check its presence?  

 

If there is an internal FLARM, is there a way to select the source to be used, PowerFLARM vs. internal?  

 

If there’s always a FLARM inside the LX9070 I wonder why the glider was equipped with the PowerFLARM – maybe to be able to use the ATD57, or to be able to see ADS-B targets?

 

Here is the wiring diagram of my equipment:

wiring diagram.jpg


Ian Molesworth

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Apr 18, 2022, 5:08:07 AM4/18/22
to Mana, LXNav Soaring Glider Equipment User Discussion Group
Send your serial number to LX and ask them for the build spec. 

I had internal Flarm and had to return it to upgrade to ADS-B in. ( PowerFlarm )  

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cdeerinck

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Apr 18, 2022, 12:32:11 PM4/18/22
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Several variants exist.  For sure, ask LX.  My 9070 has internal Flarm and ADS-B in.
Also, the 9070 has configuration settings to determine what you will see, and what you will hear.
I have no ATD57 experience, but would be surprised if it didn't have the same, so maybe check that too.

Ramy Yanetz

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Apr 18, 2022, 12:37:50 PM4/18/22
to cdeerinck, LXNav Soaring Glider Equipment User Discussion Group
Also each display may be configured for a different range I believe. You can change the range in the LX90xx hardware menu. 
You should be able to tell if your LX has internal powerflarm by checking if flarm antennas are connected to it. 

Ramy

Mana

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Apr 18, 2022, 1:51:20 PM4/18/22
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Thank you all. LX responded very quickly, my LX9070 is not equipped with an internal FLARM.

It is not an issue with the configuration of the maximum range to display, because as can be seen in the 1st picture below, both LX and ATD57 show 2 gliders, then in the next picture the glider the closest to me is not displayed by the ATD57 (but displayed by the LX).

Could it be that the LX displays ADS-B data and the ATD57 doesn’t? (and that some gliders are seen via ADS-B and not FLARM, maybe because of antenna placement)

I have sent an email asking for help to air-avionics


FLARM display.jpg

Ramy Yanetz

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Apr 18, 2022, 2:04:19 PM4/18/22
to LXNav Soaring Glider Equipment User Discussion Group, Mana
There is one more setting which may impact. Each display can be set for how long to buffer the data, ie how long the target remains once the signal is lost. I believe mine is set to 15 sec by default. so it is possible that your setting is different.
I will be very surprised if ATD57 does not display ADS-B as ADS-B was supported since the original butterfly display. However if you have the ADS-R/TIS-B license, it is not clear how well those are supported by the various displays.

Ramy

Mana

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Apr 19, 2022, 4:03:50 AM4/19/22
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air avionics responded and agree with your assumption Ramy: "I think I know the issue: ATD directly stops displaying a target when the signal is lost. LX-9070 waits several seconds. Therefore, if a target reception is lost, in the ATD there is no more display while in the LX it stays for some more seconds. What do you think, could this be the explanation here as well? "

It means I need to improve FLARM reception. I already moved my single antenna from below to above the coaming and it's better but not sufficient,  I will likely add a FLARM booster (the 2nd antenna spot is taken by the ADS-B)

Ramy Yanetz

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Apr 19, 2022, 12:18:11 PM4/19/22
to Mana, LXNav Soaring Glider Equipment User Discussion Group
The issue is with ATD not your antenna. Flarm and even ADSB signal get lost momentarily. This happens all the time especially with carbon gliders. All displays should have buffer , at least 15 seconds. The Target start blinking after sometime when signal is lost for long time. Normally it is a configurable value. I am puzzled that a company such as air avionics  is aware of it and still don’t provide such a feature. It was available even in the old butterfly displays. Please convey this to them. 

Ramy
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