PowerFlarm Core + Libelle 301

Kevin Christner

unread,

Dec 23, 2015, 5:03:08 PM12/23/15

to

Has anyone attempted to mount a PowerFlarm antenna in a Libelle? Any advice?

Thanks.

uncl...@ix.netcom.com

unread,

Dec 23, 2015, 5:38:15 PM12/23/15

to

On Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at 5:03:08 PM UTC-5, Kevin Christner wrote:
> Has anyone attempted to mount a PowerFlarm antenna in a Libelle? Any advice?
>
> Thanks.

Nose is all glass so it should be able to be mounted on the instrument tray without too much pain.
Have fun
UH

dale...@charter.net

unread,

Dec 23, 2015, 6:05:21 PM12/23/15

to

Kevin, I installed a Flarm Core in a 201 Libelle which should be nearly the same. Initially I placed the two antennas (dipole) on either side of the canopy hold down mechanism about 8 inches apart, on little lexan posts. It looked really cool but worked poorly probably because of some weirdness with the nearby metal in the latch. I then mounted one on either side of the cockpit nose with velcro about the level of my knees. It works great, and has excellent range. Try to stay several inches above the rudder cables.
Dale Bush

resi...@sbcglobal.net

unread,

Dec 23, 2015, 6:32:29 PM12/23/15

to

On my Standard Libelle the antennas are in the nose on either side of the cockpit and attached with Velcro. I would say they are just a few inches forward of the instrument tray and right at the widest part of the cockpit section. They are out of the way and seems to work well enough.

Robert

Kevin Christner

unread,

Dec 23, 2015, 7:05:46 PM12/23/15

to

Dale,

How far forward did you mount them?

Looking at the manuals it appears the newer devices use two antennas on a single mount. Are you using a second set of antennas on both sides of the cockpit?

Thanks,

Kevin

Martin Gregorie

unread,

Dec 23, 2015, 7:49:43 PM12/23/15

to

In my Standard Libelle I have a standard FLARM dipole antenna on an
outrigger about 90mm in front of the instrument tray. This works well
enough, with good (6-7km) coverage to both sides and in front and
adequate (2km) rear coverage. The antenna placement is critical: 2-3mm
makes a very noticable difference to rear coverage, probably due to
reflections, etc off the rows of instruments.

There's more detail and pictures (including coverage) here:
http://www.gregorie.org/gliding/libelle/FLARM_dipole_mount.html
http://www.gregorie.org/gliding/libelle/FLARM_install.jpg

Something similar should work with the two PowerFLARM antennae. Put it
this way, If I was to fit a PF I'd try than sort of antenna installation
again, with the wood fitment extended to form a 150-200mm wide cross
piece with an antenna on each end of it.

--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

dale...@charter.net

unread,

Dec 24, 2015, 12:30:44 PM12/24/15

to

I think they are about six inches below the panel bottom and about 18 inches aft of the rudder pedals. Using two antennas gives better reception, as I think only one transmits Flarm data.
Dale

AS

unread,

Dec 24, 2015, 6:56:27 PM12/24/15

to

On Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at 5:03:08 PM UTC-5, Kevin Christner wrote:

> Has anyone attempted to mount a PowerFlarm antenna in a Libelle? Any advice?
>
> Thanks.

Kevin,

I installed PowerFLARM in my (then) H301. The antennas were installed with velcro pads just forward of the step in the cockpit wall below the panel. That is just about as far apart as you can get them in a Libelle and they are both pretty much vertical. Worked great!

Uli

Kevin Christner

unread,

Dec 24, 2015, 9:37:02 PM12/24/15

to

Thanks for all the advice.

Corollary question... If you have gone from one to two antennas did you see significantly improved accuracy?

dale...@charter.net

unread,

Dec 24, 2015, 10:53:27 PM12/24/15

to

I have always had 2.

kirk.stant

unread,

Dec 25, 2015, 9:51:34 AM12/25/15

to

Flarm position accuracy is based on GPS so has nothing to do with antennas. The second antenna (and overall antenna setup) affects coverage and range.

Kirk
66

Kevin Christner

unread,

Dec 25, 2015, 11:03:29 AM12/25/15

to

That's what I was getting at. Wondering if it is worthwhile.

Dan Daly

unread,

Dec 25, 2015, 11:50:51 AM12/25/15

to

On Friday, December 25, 2015 at 11:03:29 AM UTC-5, Kevin Christner wrote:
> That's what I was getting at. Wondering if it is worthwhile.

Try it with one (FLARM A) and run it through the RF Range Analyzer. If you have relatively circular coverage and adequate range, you may elect not to install FLARM B (if you are not grandfathered, this is also at extra cost). If you don't have good circular coverage, you can experiment with FLARM B.

I have an SZD-55 and it gives me a roughly circular 5.5 km, which is good for me. A friend, also with an original CORE, has the same type glider, and had to install FLARM B to get a good all-around view. Antenna placement is fairly critical (distance between antennae, and GPS antennae). 'Verticality' of FLARM and ADS-B is important - set it so it is vertical in flight. This is due to the dipole antenna beamform.

The second antenna gives you a look at parts of the sky the other may not see.

You can do some of this on the ground. Install your system, and then drive around it with a FLARM Portable in your car (airfields have a lot of space to do this kind of thing). Run the range analyzer, or have a buddy drive it around while you observe in the cockpit ranges.

I've installed FLARMs in club ASW-20, ASW-24, Puchacz, own SZD-55, Junior. All work with only FLARM A (but none have carbon fibre and are transparent to RF (except for metal instruments); I run the RF Analyzer whenever an instrument change is made, and a couple of times a year to ensure the 'smiling piece of meat' (me) is protected.

Dan
2D

ifee...@hotmail.com

unread,

Dec 29, 2015, 10:04:15 PM12/29/15

to

A 201 installation:

http://toflylibelle.blogspot.ca/2014/09/adding-flarm.html