Why did metars quit displaying in ForeFlight?

[RobertE]

I’ve got a Garmin GTX 345 that sends data via connext (Garmin’s Bluetooth signal) to my iPad that is running ForeFlight.  I used to get what I think is FIS-B data displayed with ForeFlight (NEXRAD, traffic, metars, ...) but now I seem only to get traffic.  Anyone know what might have happened?  Thanks.

Edited January 2, 2020 by RobertE

[kortopates]

Did you verify that on your map overlay settings that you have ADS-B nexrad etc selected and not internet?
Not sure how to in FF, but you should be able to go to an Ads-b status page to verify how many Ads-b towers you are receiving from (you don't need any to receive air to air traffic).


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[midlifeflyer]

Where are you not getting METAR data? On the Map as a symbol? On the Map Pop-Up when you touch the airport? On the Airport page, weather tab?

if you are getting it in the latter two but not the first, you probably accidentally turned off some overlays,

if you are getting traffic, it doesn't sound like a problem with the GTX connection (which does happen from time to time)

Edited January 1, 2020 by midlifeflyer

[takair]

I have recently noticed some long delays in getting METAR updates on the airport weather pages.  It seems like the updates used to be at almost the same frequency I would see on WiFi.  During a number of recent flights, I will see delays of as much as an hour or more.  I have even resorted to pulling out the iPhone and looking at it on a cellular network, where the update is more frequent....if I have coverage.  Can’t figure out if it is my out of production NavWorx ADS-B, ForeFlight, or the network.  I pulled out my old portable ADS-B to try it on a future flight.  The graphic weather seems to update adequately, which is kind of counterintuitive to me.  Will be interested if others have seen variations in these update rates.

Edit:  Needed to refresh my METAR knowledge....they update every hour....I guess what I can’t figure out is how and when Foreflight updates and why one device is different then another.  In other words, how does one know if AdS-B is actively providing updates other than a stale time stamp?  

[RobertE]

To be clear, I’m not getting the typical flag symbols on the map by airports with reporting capability that, when you touch those airports, the weather shows up.  I am getting all traffic so it does seem that the gtx345 is communicating with my iPad.  
 

Someone suggested I check the FF overlay settings to confirm I’m getting ads-b data but I see no such choice in the overlay section.  Maybe I’m missing something, of course. Thanks for the help everyone.

[takair]

  On 1/1/2020 at 3:25 PM, RobertE said:

To be clear, I’m not getting the typical flag symbols on the map by airports with reporting capability that, when you touch those airports, the weather shows up.  I am getting all traffic so it does seem that the gtx345 is communicating with my iPad.  
 

Someone suggested I check the FF overlay settings to confirm I’m getting ads-b data but I see no such choice in the overlay section.  Maybe I’m missing something, of course. Thanks for the help everyone.

Expand  

In the top left, on the map page, is the layer setting icon.  Tap that to see your selections.  I usually set it to ceilings to get a feel of how airports are trending.  Zoom out to see if they are showing up.  Here too, in recent months, I seem to be seeing fewer airports showing up consistently.  Not sure how the system determines what to prioritize, and when.  If you are not seeing anything, you may have layers set off.  Maybe a screen shot of what you have set would help.

[RobertE]

OK.  When next in the airplane I’ll check.  
 

FF works differently for me in the cockpit than on the ground.  The “traffic” layer option only shows up in the cockpit (I’m guessing because it needs to be receiving the Bluetooth signal via connext from the gtx345?).  Sitting here on the ground getting WiFi there is no choice of activating “traffic”.  In the aircraft as soon as my avionics is turned on traffic is activated.  In the past, whenever traffic is activated I got all the FIS-B data (metars, pireps and the like) whose recent disappearance was the basis of my question.

[carusoam]

@RobertE,

When you get a chance...

You can edit your thread title...

Took me a while to figure out what was missing...

Looks like Siri wanted you to look out for metal planes...

Best regards,

-a-

[Marauder]

  On 1/1/2020 at 4:50 PM, RobertE said:

OK.  When next in the airplane I’ll check.  
 
FF works differently for me in the cockpit than on the ground.  The “traffic” layer option only shows up in the cockpit (I’m guessing because it needs to be receiving the Bluetooth signal via connext from the gtx345?).  Sitting here on the ground getting WiFi there is no choice of activating “traffic”.  In the aircraft as soon as my avionics is turned on traffic is activated.  In the past, whenever traffic is activated I got all the FIS-B data (metars, pireps and the like) whose recent disappearance was the basis of my question.

Robert - I think you need to determine whether you are truly receiving full ADS-B or not. You may be seeing traffic but not full TIS-B or ADS-R that comes from the 345. Also, I don’t receive full ADS-B service until I am airborne and usually over 1,000’ AGL.

On my Aspens, it is pretty easy to see I am not receiving FIS-B weather. I will get this white screen (unless I turn off the NEXRAD from the FIS-. You can see that I am still getting traffic even though I am not receiving FIS-B. It really sounds like you are not truly connected to the 345.




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[buddy]

I have a 345R and ForeFlight on my iPad and what I do is I go into my settings and turn Bluetooth OFF before start up. Once you start the engine and turn on your avionics master give it a few seconds then go to settings, turn on Bluetooth you’ll see your 345 and just hit connect. Try that it works for me.

[EricJ]

I'm not a FF user, but if the 345 is your only ADS-B-in source and you're getting traffic, then, as you mention, you must be connected to the 345.   If there are no active towers where you are or the 345 isn't connected to them, you'll still see whatever traffic is directly sensed, but won't get any of the TIS or FIS services, like METARS, winds aloft, etc. 

There are some significant chunks of territory in the southwest where you're just not in range of a tower.   My IFD shows a red-x box when it isn't getting TIS-B input, but I'll still see whatever traffic is directly received.   

[kortopates]

  On 1/1/2020 at 7:13 PM, buddy said:

I have a 345R and ForeFlight on my iPad and what I do is I go into my settings and turn Bluetooth OFF before start up. Once you start the engine and turn on your avionics master give it a few seconds then go to settings, turn on Bluetooth you’ll see your 345 and just hit connect. Try that it works for me.

Buddy, have you tried going into Manage Paired Devices and setting your iPad connection to always automatically re-connect? Depending on what your 345 is wired too, this is done from the Connect page on the GPS or the 345 directly. But on your -R I am not sure how to get to that if it isn't wired to a GPS but should be accessible. Anyway it’s worked flawlessly on units wired to a GPS and standalone units for me.


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