[UK-CONTEST] Aircraft Reflection Path Plot (off topic)

[Ken Eastty]

Web based 'radars' derive their data from receivers like the SBS units and
as I understand it Mode S transponders don't transmit position data, only ADS-B
does this.

Apparently only about 75% of airliners are fitted with mode B transponders
(plus very few small aircraft&  helicopters flying to N.Sea Oil Rigs).
Therefore it's not always evident what's responsible for the reception of some DX signals
when there's no tropo enhancement.

Many observations of 'ANG from here seem to indicate that the signal is stronger when there's
a 'cloud' of airliners over the Lancashire coast as opposed to a single aircraft the actual path
mid-point. I guess that lots of curved reflectors work better than a single surface but a
Concorde might have worked better(if only). The orientation of the aircraft appears to make little difference.

If (when) Eyjafjallajokulleruptsagaincausing another grounding fiasco
and that coincides with a VHF contest I would expect to see best DX worked
being much reduced unless there happens to be a good tropo opening at the same time!

Wouldn't Watson-Watt have enjoyed playing with these toys?

73...

Ken

G3LVP





Your SBS will plot aircraft that FR24 won't see, for various reasons. A lot
of the propjets and small twin airliners, plus lots of executive and light
don't have Mode B (broadcast) and the web based radars don't see them. So
it'll be a little while before your box is redundant.

FR24 is fine for AS contacts as it generally see 99% of the big jets.

Bob G8HGN