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HomeHomeDiscussionsDiscussionsiFly Owners Q&AiFly Owners Q&AWhat is the import of "Tower Idle" message?What is the import of "Tower Idle" message?
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7/5/2016 11:39 AM
 

I think this is something new in v9.7? I notice that I sometimes get a "Tower Idle" message in the ADS-B Instrument.

I know what Receiving means. (I think.) I know what "Out of Range" means. I don't know what "Tower idle" means or why it's important.

I seem to get it when I momentary lose a tower. (As opposed to when I'm connected to a tower but the tower isn't transmitting anything? (Do towers ever go idle?))

Even if a tower is idle, if I'm connected to it, does it matter to me that the tower is "idle"?

 
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7/5/2016 4:34 PM
 

Here is what our various ADSB messages mean:

1. No Heartbeat = iFly software is not getting any data from the ADSB device. This could indicate a config issue, or a problem with the WiFi connection.

2. Out of Range = iFly software is talking to the ADSB device, but the ADSB device isn't getting any data from a ground station. This could be normal (such as when you are on the ground) - but if it's happening a lot in the air, it could indicate an issue with your ADSB antenna. (Note: You may still receive air-to-air traffic data when this message is showing, but your wx data will not be updating)

3. Tower Idle = The ADSB device just recently stopped getting ground messages. This could be normal - either there isn't any new data to send, or you have descended out of range of the station. This message will change to "out of Range" after 5 minutes.

4. Receiving = All is well - iFly software is talking to the ADSB device, and the ADSB device is receiving data from the ground station.


Walter Boyd
President, Adventure Pilot
 
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7/5/2016 10:12 PM
 

Thanks, Walter, for the quick response.

Hmm ... I'm thinking that the "Tower Idle" message could be eliminated, replaced by "Out of Range" after 2 minutes of "Idle" time. (Isn't this the way it was prior to v9.7 betas?) Although I appreciate the thinking behind the "Tower Idle" message, all I really care about is whether I'm Receiving or Out of Range of a Tower. As it stands now, the "Tower Idle" message seems to be an indeterminate message, which might mean I'm Out of Range, but we don't know for sure. I would rather be told that I'm not receiving an ADS-B Tower sooner rather than later. No harm - as soon as messages start coming in again, the Instrument will change to Receiving.

And other users say ... ?

 
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7/5/2016 10:32 PM
 

I would prefer to know if I am out of range or if there is no data being transmitted to me. If I am out of range, I know not to expect to receive anything until I fly closer to a tower or higher. If idle, I know I should be receiving data momentarily where I am. Maybe I'm flying around an area and not really getting closer to a tower. I don't see a downside. At least I think that is what I prefer, if I understand it correctly.

 
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7/6/2016 8:24 AM
 
OldPilot, go back and re-read Walter's list. Your understanding is incorrect. The only difference between "Tower Idle" and "Out of Range" is whether or not 5 minutes has passed since the last receipt of data.

iFly can't truly know whether you're in range or not. It only knows it's not receiving a signal from the tower...it can't possibly know why.

Could the text be changed to something like, "ADSB lost for x minutes"? It's worthwhile to have an idea of how long it's been since the last update.
 
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HomeHomeDiscussionsDiscussionsiFly Owners Q&AiFly Owners Q&AWhat is the import of "Tower Idle" message?What is the import of "Tower Idle" message?