Birds Landing on Base Antenna

Javad

Administrator
Staff member
JAVAD GNSS
5PLS
John Evers reported when a bird landed on his base antenna it affected the signals from base.
Please share your experience on this subject as we are trying to solve this issue. Simulate this with a piece of meet.
No dead fish or dead mouse please!!!
 

Nate The Surveyor

Well-Known Member
Kinda funny you mention this! My T2 looks like polka dots, where bird droppings landed on it. (Permanent stains!) Suggest you consider the ingredients in bird poop, when selecting plastic for base stations. I hate to say this, but it looks like c**p! Maybe the t3 will have a better shell life!
 

Adam

Well-Known Member
5PLS
John Evers reported when a bird landed on his base antenna it affected the signals from base.
Please share your experience on this subject as we are trying to solve this issue. Simulate this with a piece of meet.
No dead fish or dead mouse please!!!
I have noticed a significant reduction in bird droppings on my LS base compared to the T2. I think the sound and vibration the LS makes during base file collection (waas collection) deters the birds from setting on it.
 

Nate The Surveyor

Well-Known Member
I've already put some thought into this... A small fence (has to be made of neutral plastic) or a cone, on the top of base station gps antenna would be good. Even a rubber cap, that hinders bird landings, would be nice. I really hate to find that a bird has incorporated my base, as part of his route, as he circles around, collecting food, and taking it to his babies! I sat and watched this a number of times.
 

John Evers

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Javad,

I have also had a farmer park a hay wagon near my base, blocking out almost half of the sky. Fortunately I know how to drive a farm tractor and solved the problem. The satellite count of 7+8 was an adequate warning of what my situation was, however a warning of the abrupt change in what the base is receiving would have been more clear for most users.

(Sunday morning humor)
Unfortunately my son and I I ate the all of the Wagyu steaks last night. We are fresh out of testing materials. Also, my feral cats will not cooperate and sit on the base like I asked them to. I could bring down (permanently) a pigeon or starling for testing, but I am very sure that Michael Glutting would not appreciate that. (nor my wife).
(end humor)

I think a trained bird such as a parrot that can not fly would be the perfect test candidate. It would also make a nice picture for an advertisement.
 

Javad

Administrator
Staff member
JAVAD GNSS
5PLS
At least put a thin plastic cover, like the thin one you get in a role in super markets to put carrots inside, to cover the unit not get birds poop on the unit.
My question was: what would happen to the signal from the base if a bird sit on it for a while.
 

Nate The Surveyor

Well-Known Member
I've been covering it with a bag, for a long time. It does get hotter, that way. But, it also keeps it dry. My t2 case is compromised though.
N
 

John Evers

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Javad,

I am very much surprised by what I have just revealed to myself.

I can not imagine that accuracy would be un affected by a bird on the base.

I can now claim that a bird on the base, will not affect your ability to obtain a fix though, or the speed at which the fix is obtained.

My first test was with a real bird, of which I will not mention the suspected species. This bird was not going anywhere in a hurry, and had zero detectible affect on the ability of the LS to obtain a fix.
Img_7081.jpg


Because this bird was a little low on the "meat index", I looked around for something else to simulate a bird. The only thing I could come up with was a muddy pair of shoes. I figured, that this pair of shoes was much more of an obstacle for signal reception, than any bird ever would be.

Img_7083.jpg


With this pair of shoes sitting on the base, the LS was obtaining a four engine fix in less than one second. The color orange for "float" was not even being displayed when the engines were reset. Straight to all green.

Unless we get a real bird for testing, I think this puts the issue to bed.
 

Javad

Administrator
Staff member
JAVAD GNSS
5PLS
Hi John, what are those lip sticks on your right shoes?
I was just wondering what a bird can do. I cover my base with my hands and I don't see any effect. That is why I brought the subject to the attention of all to see what other experiences other people have.
The lip sticks on your shoes is a secret between us. Ok?
 

Javad

Administrator
Staff member
JAVAD GNSS
5PLS
I've been covering it with a bag, for a long time. It does get hotter, that way. But, it also keeps it dry. My t2 case is compromised though.
N

Nate, put some tiny holes in the bag for the hot air to get out but the birds objects do not come in. I hope this helps.
 

Nate The Surveyor

Well-Known Member
My t2 case is cracked... (2nd time) so, I've carefully sealed it with silicone sealant. I hope silicone does not modify the way the signals behave. It's just around the sides/bottom of the green plastic.
 

Javad

Administrator
Staff member
JAVAD GNSS
5PLS
Hi John, what are those lip sticks on your right shoes?
I was just wondering what a bird can do. I cover my base with my hands and I don't see any effect. That is why I brought the subject to the attention of all to see what other experiences other people have.
The lip sticks on your shoes is a secret between us. Ok?

Shawn please do not try to have a bull sitting on your base T3.
 

John Evers

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Hi John, what are those lip sticks on your right shoes?
I was just wondering what a bird can do. I cover my base with my hands and I don't see any effect. That is why I brought the subject to the attention of all to see what other experiences other people have.
The lip sticks on your shoes is a secret between us. Ok?
Javad,

That is not lipstick. That is the manufacturers logo. It says "North Face". Those "were" very nice shoes. They "were" waterproof, and lasted a year. Now they are kayaking shoes. No lipstick on my shoes, as my wife of nearly 30 years does not wear it.
 

Casey

New Member
Javad,

That is not lipstick. That is the manufacturers logo. It says "North Face". Those "were" very nice shoes. They "were" waterproof, and lasted a year. Now they are kayaking shoes. No lipstick on my shoes, as my wife of nearly 30 years does not wear it.
Shoes?
 
Top