dpansier
Well Known Member
I developed an external aircraft antenna intended for data transmission, the antenna designed to be used with a Wilson mobile wireless signal amplifier, the type used in construction vehicles, over the road trucks and boats. (Wilson model 801212, available on eBay for about $260) The Wilson unit wirelessly connects with the iPad 3G and similar devices.
The aircraft Data antenna is similar in size and shape to the Transponder antenna I now offer on my webpage.
The installation in the aircraft requires mounting the external Data antenna, attaching the amplifier box (12VDC at 3 amps), and placing the internal antenna within 3 feet of the 3G device. A few other items are required such as a short section of RG-400 with a BNC male connector on each end, and a BNC Female to FME Female adapter.
My intent of developing this was to supply inflight weather data to the iPad3G / ForeFlight, beyond that, it does not take much thought to see the potential of other data uses for the system, email, text message, flight data, MiWi Hotspots, Etc.
With the iPad accessory market exploding , small wireless keyboards, voice recognition software and the like are available that offer iPad interface flexibility only limited by imagination.
The complete unit is undergoing testing in a RV and so far, the results have been very positive. Testing has taken place up to 10,500' AGL and the iPad / ForeFlight is being supplied with constant data updates to Radar, METARS, TAF's, etc.
This development is experimental in nature and by no means has the system been completely tested in all flight conditions, testing will continue to determine the limitations.
The aircraft Data antenna is similar in size and shape to the Transponder antenna I now offer on my webpage.
The installation in the aircraft requires mounting the external Data antenna, attaching the amplifier box (12VDC at 3 amps), and placing the internal antenna within 3 feet of the 3G device. A few other items are required such as a short section of RG-400 with a BNC male connector on each end, and a BNC Female to FME Female adapter.
My intent of developing this was to supply inflight weather data to the iPad3G / ForeFlight, beyond that, it does not take much thought to see the potential of other data uses for the system, email, text message, flight data, MiWi Hotspots, Etc.
With the iPad accessory market exploding , small wireless keyboards, voice recognition software and the like are available that offer iPad interface flexibility only limited by imagination.
The complete unit is undergoing testing in a RV and so far, the results have been very positive. Testing has taken place up to 10,500' AGL and the iPad / ForeFlight is being supplied with constant data updates to Radar, METARS, TAF's, etc.
This development is experimental in nature and by no means has the system been completely tested in all flight conditions, testing will continue to determine the limitations.