Bluetooth signals from the empennage

[bradp]

Hi all,

Now that many of us have a mini-internet network and all sorts of random wireless connectivity in the cockpit, I wanted to ask if anyone has had issues with signal strength / dropped connections?

Thinking about selling a GDL 69 that sits on the shelf and replacing it with a GDL 52R and potentially moving a FS210 from blind mounted behind the panel to the avionics shelf in the back.  Need to make more room. 

Thanks and take care,

Brad

[ArtVandelay]

My FS210 is installed on the roof above the hat rack, covered by the plastic interior piece.


Tom

[carusoam]

Some discussions have occurred regarding BT from the back...

The antenna on some big G devices were pointing 90° away from the target...

Signal strength was a problem in the front...

Best regards,

-a-

[EricJ]

The wall between the baggage area and hat rack and the rear avionics shelf is aluminum, so it'll be an rf shield between the cockpit and the avionics shelf, i.e., it'll attentuate signals quite a bit, especially bluetooth.   I'd do some testing on the ground first with devices just placed about where you want them, everything closed up, and see what you get.   e.g., put a couple BT devices in the front of the cabin and the other end in the avionics bay, close up all the hatches, and see if they can maintain connection.   That won't guarantee connectivity for all BT devices, but it might give you an idea if it's a complete bust.    I'd expect a high degree of impairment if nothing else.   BT really needs short range and not a lot of attenuation in between terminals.



 

 

[MBDiagMan]

It’s all about proper antenna orientation.

[N201MKTurbo]

16 minutes ago, bluehighwayflyer said:

On that note, I guess if reception is poor you could always build one of these ... a BlueSniper rifle.    They reportedly have a range of up to a kilometer.   Think about that the next time you are using legacy pairing or sometimes even SSP to pair your older device to your cellphone prior to a sensitive conversation.  

He has nothing on the long distance WiFi guys:

http://www.cisar.it/images/2016/27HighCapacityLong.pdf

 

[bradp]

I like the youtube of the dude who's hired to hack into the physical security of large corporations - has a proximity badge sniffer that reads IDs sitting on a park bench. 

[larryb]

It may or may not work, depending...

 

In my J I had a FS210 mounted in the avionics bay. My normal configuration was rear seats removed to allow for more baggage. BT connectivity worked fine. One day I put in the rear seats and also a lot of baggage and the BT would not connect. There was enough stuff in the way to block the signal.

 

In my K I have a GDL52R mounted in the avionics bay. To date, that has worked perfectly with no BT connectivity issues whatsoever. The rear seat is out. I have had a lot of baggage back there, enough for a 3 week cross country vacation. All good. I have not tried it with the seats installed.