ADS-B weather radar

[walkman]

Originally Posted by 60av8tor

Maybe I'm missing it, but I don't see anyone talking about skirting wx in this thread. Just discussing ADS-B performance

I attempted to use it to cut off 10 miles from my diversion and scoot between two dark green areas with a blob of yellow in each. It got pretty rocky for a couple of minutes. This was on "0" minutes old data where it showed I was in the clear. Wish I'd read that article first. Won't do that again, although I was not close to being at limits, just moderate rain and turbulence for a few minutes.

[walkman]

Originally Posted by vjdslk

Hi Walkman,

What GRT's do you have? I am interested in the Skyradar setup and would like to run it through my GRT also. I have 2 HS screens and wonder if it will work on them, or do I have to upgrade to the HX screens?

Thanks!

Jon D.

I have the HXr which uses USB. I believe the older units need serial data, but I'm not sure. Check with GRT on that one.

[walkman]

Originally Posted by jclark

Jon,
I ***THINK** that in order to connect the SkyRadar unit, you will need a GRT EFIS with at least one USB port. (I don't have the documentation before me so I don't remember the if either of the SkyRadar models can supply data via RS-232.

If your setup ONLY has a serial port available, you have at least TWO choices:
-NavWorx
- iLevil

I have NOT connected a NavWorx using serial but that was the first ADS-B box that GRT made work (two years ago???)

I recently connected an iLevil (SW) via RS-232 and it worked.

If you use USB, a powered USB hub is suggested for all of the GRT products and "required" for the Sport (SX) systems.

Hope this helps.

FYI I do not use a hub.

[BobTurner]

The GRT web site has a pretty good description of what will and what won't work with various model receivers and GRT products.

Something not yet mentioned, I find I like having the NexRad wx for VFR use. On a recent trip we had to pick our way thru several lines of thunderstorms (there were obvious, visual gaps between the storms). In the past I would have feared flying into a trap, since we couldn't really see more than 10 miles or so on the other side of the line. But with the cockpit wx we could clearly see that we would be back in good vfr on the other side of the line.

[Auburntsts]

Originally Posted by BobTurner

The GRT web site has a pretty good description of what will and what won't work with various model receivers and GRT products.

Something not yet mentioned, I find I like having the NexRad wx for VFR use. On a recent trip we had to pick our way thru several lines of thunderstorms (there were obvious, visual gaps between the storms). In the past I would have feared flying into a trap, since we couldn't really see more than 10 miles or so on the other side of the line. But with the cockpit wx we could clearly see that we would be back in good vfr on the other side of the line.

Be careful -- NEXRAD (whether from XM or ADS-B--its the same data) tells you where storms were, not where they currently are due to the latency from when the data was captured to when it was received.

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by Auburntsts

Be careful -- NEXRAD (whether from XM or ADS-B--its the same data) tells you where storms were, not where they currently are due to the latency from when the data was captured to when it was received.

Of course this is true, but with wise use - looking at how storms have progressed, not just looking at where they are - and using the XM to AVOID weather and ensure that you have clear escapes, I still say that Nexrad in the cockpit is probably the biggest advance in cross-country flight safety since the invention of the wing.

I am a weather chicken, and have been sold on Nexrad since I first tried it. If you are using it to penetrate weather, then you're exceeding its design parameters. But folks should not be afraid to use it - wisely.

[Weasel]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

If you are using it to penetrate weather, then you're exceeding its design parameters. But folks should not be afraid to use it - wisely.

well stated Paul.

[Jesse]

While I agree that as a general rule, using Nexrad to avoid weather, not to penetrate it, is best, it is a great tool for knowing the best way through weather. I have used it many times to pick my way through cells, while not maintaining cloud clearances for VFR, but still usually clear of clouds. When a cell is moving, or a line is moving, you can see trends quite well and can stay close to the downwind side of cell that you know is moving away from you, you can be surprisingly accurate with the known latency (5-10 minutes on average).

I do understand there are times that it just isn't accurate, like in Vic's example, but it usually is much better than that.

I'm not saying I use it to pick my way through a squall line, but poking through a front with decent sized holes is much better with Nexrad than hearing ATC say there is a widespread area of moderate to heavy precipitation from 9-3 o'clock and 10 miles.

[scard]

Time for me to pipe up I guess. We recently ditched XM for foreflight/stratus. It is a significant shift. We do miss the XM just a little bit. What I really need is for foreflight to work up radar animation! Big time. Having to do the mental gymnastics of movement from a series of images that you looked at in the last hour sucks. They also need to do some kind of caching of the last xxx of data, probably within the stratus. Having to wait for re-acquisition of new data every time you bring the ipad out of sleep is silly.
Maybe I just need to go apply for a job. They have an office around here somewhere.

[60av8tor]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

Of course this is true, but with wise use - looking at how storms have progressed, not just looking at where they are - and using the XM to AVOID weather and ensure that you have clear escapes, I still say that Nexrad in the cockpit is probably the biggest advance in cross-country flight safety since the invention of the wing.

I used it in this manner on the way to OSH from Indiana. Heading NW with a line of storms around Chicago heading SE. Looking at the radar at my fuel stop I could see the general movement of the line and figured with some deviation to the west and my travel time, I could circumvent and get behind the line of storms and get into Wisconsin. The nexrad gave me the comfort of following the line to ensure it was continuing its general path and to ensure nothing was popping up behind it.

I would never think of threading the needle with cockpit weather, but for larger strategic decisions and updated in-cockpit decision making, I agree that it is a huge asset. Without the XM, I'm not sure I would have departed from my fuel stop. Things you do once - pushing weather is one of them. Thankfully my once was done in a helicopter and I was able to sit in a field a wait it out.

On a separate, but related note, my iLevel/ADS-B worked just fine on my commute from Ga to Sc Sunday night. Not sure why I had issues on the opposite leg Friday afternoon. Still difficult for me to get used to the reduced picture vs. the XM - many small rain showers showing on the XM that did not show at all on the ADS-B (larger cells with yellow/red did match more or less, however).