Tracking Aircraft... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2021, 11:33:43 am
content: I've just been playing around with my new modern digital radio, listening tolocal AIR bands.(My ancient collection of valve/tube radios just doesn't cut it! haha...). In my area, it's all un-controlled airports, usingmainlyCTAF on 126.7 Mhz. Today, there's at least 3 aircraft including water-bombers S/E of us controlling bush-fires!Of interest though, (I'm sure most people know it!?) there are many websites like...www.flightradar24.comthatshow real live aircraft positions for anywhere in the World! That above site needs a subscription, but can still be usedfor free for 30-mins, but you only have to refresh the page to keep adding 30-mins. (If you Google their site, you willfind links to an Android Mobile version '.apk' you can download for free and install yourself!).Below, it's showing a few of the aircraft I mentioned above. (You click on one to see it's details & tracking...Do a search for JFK or O'Hare and zoom out. Be amazed at the quantity of Aircraft!!!

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2021, 11:46:46 am
content: search EBAY for "SDR Realtek RTL2832U & R820T"I can happily receive ADS–B traffic with the whip antenna just sitting near my window.Very fun if you are interested in this sort of stuff. You also get to see flights that are not reported on FlightTracker etc. like Surveys

author: Beamin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2021, 04:52:17 pm
content: Quote from: NivagSwerdna on January 02, 2021, 11:46:46 amI have a sdrplay where you can use google maps with another piece of software and track adsb too. You can build an antenna out of coat hangers less then a foot in length, much more fun then watching the internet. The software also shows a real pic of the plane date of manufacture and other things. You would be surprised how many executives are flying around in their companies private planes. Why drive if you're rich? You can see planes as far as your antenna will let you but its a good 40+ miles. You can see medivac and police helicopters too.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2021, 09:24:49 am
content: I have a setup at home that Flightaware sent me for free. It's kind of neat, basically a RPI based SDR that picks up the ADSB signals.Old pic, but this is what the local interface looks like:The hardware:Don't turn it on...Setup in the attic:It's mostly set and forget, but it's kind of fun to check the interface whenever I hear a really low flying plane or something.In fact by looking at these old pics it solves the mystery of what that tablet pen I found the other day is for.

author: AlbertL
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2021, 05:51:48 am
content: ADSBexchange.comis a good site. It sometimes shows flights that don't appear on other sites.

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2021, 11:27:08 am
content: Quote from: AlbertL on January 05, 2021, 05:51:48 amThat looks good!!

author: Sal Ammoniac
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2021, 07:55:22 pm
content: You can also track flights worldwide on HF via HFDL. There are 15 ground stations around the world and all you need to track flights is an HF receiver and software.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Frequency_Data_Linkhttp://www.chbrain.dircon.co.uk/

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2021, 07:59:51 pm
content: Quote from: AlbertL on January 05, 2021, 05:51:48 amI'm feeding there too but the script to do so is kinda odd and often stalls. But when it does work, I'm basically the only one feeding for my whole region, it's kind of funny to see all the planes show up as soon as I start the script.