Flightaware ADS-B reciever  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 01:12:40 am
content: Saw an ad where they will send you this device for free, it basically listens for aircraft transponder messages which is known as ADS-B, it's a fairly new protocol that is used to make it better to track airplanes. The site takes data from various sources including people that setup this device, so decided it was something neat to play with and ordered one. (it's free).The antenna should be outside as it's better to have line of sight, but for now I put it in the attic given it's winter and I am in no position to start erecting a mast or drilling anything as it would be too cold to do that. So I just built a rudimentary antenna stand and put it in the attic, and I'm actually getting a decent amount of data. At least for high altitude aircraft. I got some that are at least like 300km out!Screenshot of interface.Stuff out of the box. I had originally tested it with the small desk antenna that is supplied and was picking up decent stuff even with that.Don't turn it on, take it appaaaaart! I did not want or really need to go any further than that, but basically it's a Raspberry PI and the LCD module just plugs into the header pins. Then there is the radio module that is USB.Antenna on stand ready to go in attic,Installed.While I'm here, I got rid of a mouse that was in the traps. That setup alerts me if a trap goes off and there had been one in there for a while that I just never bothered to go up for.The unit setup in my server rack: (pulled it out to show)My goal is to eventually put a mast outside, probably when I build a shed, I'll put the mast on the shed or something. Though given the reception I get with it in the attic I might just leave it there, now that I ran the wire and everything.This also gave me an idea, someone had posted about a Balloon they sent up around the world, wonder if you could put an ADS-B transponder on something like that. Not sure if the FAA etc want people doing that though as it will create lot of "noise" but on the other hand it would also allow them to avoid stuff like that. Could even put it on drones etc.

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 01:53:37 am
content: For terrestrial UHF communication, you normally want an antenna as high as you can get, to get a wider horizon. But to receive signals from aircraft, you only need to get your antenna up high enough to have a clear view of the sky. Inside an attic is probably less than ideal, because the roofing materials and attic walls may attenuate the signal a bit, depending on what the walls and roof are made of. It's obviously working for you. It might work a bit better if you could get it outside just above the roof.Google's loon balloons have been equipped with ADS-B, but as far as I know, most balloons are not so equipped. ADS-B requires a fair bit of power. Some people doing balloon experiments have equipped them with APRS trackers. APRS is a system using packet radio on Amateur (ham) frequencies to send various types of data, often GPS coordinates, but it may also include various telemetry signals. APRS doesn't require much power, and the packets can be sent very infrequently if it's desired to save power. To transmit APRS requires a ham radio license.Info on Google's loon balloons and their use of ADS-Bhttps://www.flightradar24.com/blog/keep-your-eye-on-the-hbal-tracking-project-loon-balloons/Info on APRS tracking of balloonshttp://community.balloonchallenge.org/t/hab-tracking-methods/669http://www.arhab.orgGeneral info on APRS (it's mostly used for terrestrial vehicles, not aviation)http://www.aprs.orghttp://www.aprs.fi

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 02:11:47 am
content: Yeah in summer I will probably put it outside on the roof or something. I plan to build a shed so will probably put it on that roof as I don't feel comfortable drilling in the house roof. Now that it's winter it would definitely be a bad time to drill in the roof and any tar/sealant I put won't cure properly.

author: kalyan93
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 01, 2017, 01:50:20 pm
content: hello

author: PointyOintment
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2017, 09:58:31 pm
content: Hello kalyan! (We have an introductions threadhere, in case you would like to introduce yourself.)On topic, this thing is free, you say? (Though presumably there are restrictions like it remains their property and you can't just take the Raspberry Pi for your own purposes…) At the local hackerspace we have wanted to have something like this for a while. Being near the airport, arriving and departing planes fly over us all the time and it would be cool to have a display in the space that shows info about them. I will look into this.

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2017, 10:19:05 pm
content: Quote from: PointyOintment on March 01, 2017, 09:58:31 pmJust go to FlightAware's website and fill out the form.

author: raspberrypi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2017, 12:19:28 am
content: Quote from: nidlaX on March 01, 2017, 10:19:05 pmCool! I filled out the form and said ADSB woks well here, I hope they send it. Plan on making one of those coax multi element antennas.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2017, 12:55:22 am
content: Yep if you're in an area where they feel they could use more coverage they'll send you one. Not sure what their decision factor is. I imagine they'd want the equipment back if you stop feeding for a while but not too sure.Still feeding with mine, range is pretty good despite the antenna being in my attic with the roof covered in snow. I'm also feeding to adsb-exchange.com, which is interesting as I'm the only one in my area that is feeding so I'm literally in charge of a chunk of northern Ontario lol.My setup has not seen summer yet though, so I'll see how it goes with it being in the attic when snow starts to melt generating lot of water on the roof, or when trees start to get leaves. If it's still good reception I might just leave it there.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2017, 01:34:58 am
content: Hey that's cool. I've been receiving ADS-B for years, I built a receiver early on, then those RTL-SDR dongles came out so I've been using one of those.

author: raspberrypi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2017, 01:42:36 am
content: They wouldnt send me one. eeeeer...Anyone know how to do this with sdrplay and windows? I have a pi too, but seems like all the instructions are for more advanced users.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2017, 01:45:28 am
content: Quote from: raspberrypi on March 03, 2017, 01:42:36 amThey do have an image called Pi Aware, and they tell you what hardware to buy. I think it's basically a SDR dongle. The rest is up to you, you ca get their official antenna/cable/filter etc or experiment on your own. Some people have made their own antennas and stuff.On similar subject I've been wanting to setup an APRS receiver too, need a ham license to actually transmit or feed, but would be cool to just have a real time local map of what it's picking up. Need to read up further on it. Did not find much as far as Linux goes but I'm sure there's something similar to Flightware. I do want to look at actually getting my license though, been reading and watching videos on and off about ham radio and it definitely sounds fun to get into, even just the packet side of things. It also sounds like it can get expensive fast."I don't need this 1,000 radio, but if I'm going to buy one may as well buy a good one..."

author: raspberrypi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2017, 04:58:17 am
content: I got it working and its picking up flights, but how do you "see" the cock pit view. is flight simulator X the microsoft one? Will this work in the free trial? I would pay 24.95 (first time paying for software I think in about 20 years!) if this thing works...