Actually, the cable type is more important than the length in this case. Replace it with RG6 coax, if not that already.
can you tell me why the v3 is better than the v4 for receiving 1090? What happens if you put a Uputronics 1090 LNA (w/ filter) right next to the antenna? does that make the v4 more serviceable?
As far as I can remember, the main difference between the v3 and v4 is the built-in converter for HF in the v4. Whether that causes some other issues for ADS-B reception, I don’t know.
Other than that, the v4 uses a different driver, and some people did not notice this detail in the early days, which made they think they had a bad v4.
I did a write-up of the differences when it was first released - I can’t remember off-hand the significant factors
For general use, the V4 is an improvement, but not when used at 1090MHz
Both the V3 and V4 benefit from an amp (or filter /amp)
Edit:
Found the post
@caius highlighted the relevant graph
Instead of RF scan by rtl_power, a much faster method (which has additional advantage of giving a visually better plot), is to use Windows software SPECTRUM. It takes only few minutes to scan the entire band of DVB-Dongle.
To conduct this test, there is no need to plugin DVB-T/RTL-SDR/FA Prostick dongle in Windows Computer. The dongle can remain plugged into RPi and SPECTRUM can access it if “VirtualHere Server” is installed on RPi and “VirtualHere Client” is installed on Windows.
Spektrum - How-to Speedily Scan RF Noise in band 24MHz ~ 1800MHz
SPEKTRUM ON WINDOWS PC, DONGLE ON RPI
Scan 1 of 3 - FA Antenna + Generic DVB-T (no internal or external filter)
CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE LARGER SIZE
Scan 2 of 3 - FA Antenna + ProStick Plus (Only Internal filter of ProStick Plus. No External filter)
CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE LARGER SIZE
Scan 3 of 3 - FA Antenna + ProStick Plus (with internal filter) + External Filter (FA Light Blue)
CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE LARGER SIZE
Using one of those LNAs in combination with the filter appears to be a success. I’m not really getting much more range, but my message rate is up about 30%. I can follow aircraft much closer to the ground on their approach to my local airport.
Success!
Not sure if you described the entire chain from the antenna to the receiver already?
Just in case you want some more hints.
Picture of how the antenna is mounted is also useful to give suggestions.
Now is the time to try different gain levels. I suggest 48db and down. Higher than 48dB will likely make things worse. I also suggest you avoid the auto-gain setting in Piaware.
Next, if possible, move the antenna around. Just 1 ft left/right/higher/lower can make a big difference if the antenna is still indoors.
FYI…the filter should be after the antenna and before the LNA.
1 Like
Including an internal battery is a bit odd /interesting.
QC is a bit lacking - two screws chewed out and two missing
1 Like
It indeed boggles the mind the picture they used on the listing.
The other common thing is that I have never received items like these with the washers and nuts on. They are always in the package, but loose. I wonder why that is.
As for the battery, they are good when the LNA is used in the field. The battery lasts for hours. If not needed, it’s just a matter of opening the case and removing it.
Is the provided battery rechargeable?
If not rechargeable, then of what type & size?
Yes, the battery is rechargeable.
This is a good feature for field use.
On Aliexpress it is still available for about US $6.50, and free shipping for orders US $10 or more. So if ordered 2 for a total of US $13, will get free shipping.
Make sure the vendor says the battery is installed, if that is what you want, as not all vendors ship the LNA with the battery.
That’s a good price. As I said, I got mine from Amazon, when they were on sale for US$5.
They have two options, one does NOT say “battery”, while other says “battery”. The writup does not clearly mentions “battery included”
Click on screenshot to See Larger Size
I would think the one mentioning battery, the battery is included, but check other vendors to see if they are more forthcoming with the information.
As for the free shipping over $10, this is common. Sometimes an item is $9.99, but I do not need 2, so I look for another vendor that lists the same item for $10.01. 
Stick with the “Choice” vendors, they are usually better than the others.
1 Like
Mine arrived that way too. I wonder if it’s so they can claim it’s not fully assembled, and that makes it fall into different tax categories in some places?
1 Like