MyRadar apps

[Piloto]

Since I dropped my XM\WX subscription two months ago I have been using MyRadar apps on my Samsung S3 (4G LTE/ATT) in-flight with very good results up to 9,000 feet (have not tried higher) on my routine flights from FXE to ORL. What puzzle me is how well this application works when compared to others at altitude. The resolution, quality and update rate beats that of ADS-B WX. I am wondering if others had the same experience with it. MyRadar is a free apps. It is almost instantaneous when you use it. It also shows the weather movement. Try it and let me know.

 

José

[Bennett]

Jose,

I've had it loaded on my iPad and iPhone for some time, using Wi-Fi. I haven't tried it in the air, but I will on my next flight using AT&T LTE, or 3G/4G. Not NextRad, but check out

RadarScope, as an iPhone application. Real time radar sweeps.

[carusoam]

I think 4G could be rolling out with wide coverage including some decent altitudes...

Best regards,

-a-

[Hector]

Interesting! I use the app all the time but have never tried it at altitude. I always assumed I would not get a good enough cell connection. Will try it next time

[Piloto]

Jose,

I've had it loaded on my iPad and iPhone for some time, using Wi-Fi. I haven't tried it in the air, but I will on my next flight using AT&T LTE, or 3G/4G. Not NextRad, but check out

RadarScope, as an iPhone application. Real time radar sweeps.

 

Thanks for the RadarScope tip but at $9.99 is beyond my budget. I look for freebies.

 

José

[carusoam]

José,

I'm using AOPA' s FlyQ, but I don't know if it works at altitude...Free to all members I believe.

Best regards,

-a-

[bd32322]

I believe there was some issue with multiple cell towers responding to device data requests  - this happens when you are at 9000 feet and in the range of multiple cell towers. The carriers did not look upon this kindly.

 

If it works - great - but I am going to suspect the carrier will send you a nice letter sooner than later

[yvesg]

Since I dropped my XM\WX subscription two months ago I have been using MyRadar apps on my Samsung S3 (4G LTE/ATT) in-flight with very good results up to 9,000 feet (have not tried higher) on my routine flights from FXE to ORL. What puzzle me is how well this application works when compared to others at altitude. The resolution, quality and update rate beats that of ADS-B WX. I am wondering if others had the same experience with it. MyRadar is a free apps. It is almost instantaneous when you use it. It also shows the weather movement. Try it and let me know.

 

José

José, I am trying it now however the blue ball (my position) is set right when I start the app but does not move to follow me. Do you get this too?

Yves

[Piloto]

José, I am trying it now however the blue ball (my position) is set right when I start the app but does not move to follow me. Do you get this too?

Yves

 

Yes I got the same behaviour. I think it is related to the S3 GPS not tracking. I had seen this before on the ground and was able to get it tracking again by either turning the GPS function off or the whole phone. Will check it again on my next flight. Did you get WX at altitude and at what altitude?

 

José

[Piloto]

I believe there was some issue with multiple cell towers responding to device data requests  - this happens when you are at 9000 feet and in the range of multiple cell towers. The carriers did not look upon this kindly.

 

If it works - great - but I am going to suspect the carrier will send you a nice letter sooner than later

 

A cell phone at altitude will not jam or interfere the cell phone network. A cell phone needs to log in first (so they know where to call you) before it links with a cell. The problem at alitude is that the airborne phone receives multiple cell towers with the same frequency group that on the ground would not happen because of limited reception range. This causes mutual interference at the airborne cell phone receiver making it unable to log in to an specific cell tower. On ocassions you may get a connection due to the cell tower location geometry.

 

José

[yvesg]

Yes I got the same behaviour. I think it is related to the S3 GPS not tracking. I had seen this before on the ground and was able to get it tracking again by either turning the GPS function off or the whole phone. Will check it again on my next flight. Did you get WX at altitude and at what altitude?

 

José

I only tried this on the ground riding the bus back from work. The aircraft is in the paint shop for another week:-(

Yves

[bd32322]

A cell phone at altitude will not jam or interfere the cell phone network. A cell phone needs to log in first (so they know where to call you) before it links with a cell. The problem at alitude is that the airborne phone receives multiple cell towers with the same frequency group that on the ground would not happen because of limited reception range. This causes mutual interference at the airborne cell phone receiver making it unable to log in to an specific cell tower. On ocassions you may get a connection due to the cell tower location geometry.

 

José

I am no expert at this but another way of looking at it from the network providers point of view is that a high flying cell phone is logging into multiple towers at once in quick succession. This is theoretically taking the place of other subscribers who may want to use those towers. So a network provider may not like this. If they are smart, they will deny service from some towers (i hear thats the case)