Adding new Mode-s codes to SBS Reporter

[Mark16]

Hi guys, I was wondering if there was a way to add new "unseen" codes to my SBS-1. The reason is that next spring I may get down to LHR, where I haven't been to for nearly 20 years. I want to take my stand alone laptop and SBS-1 remotely and spend 8 hours+ sat in the field at Myrtle Avenue for a full days spotting. But, before I go want to enter the Mode-S details into SBS Reporter so I don't spend most of my time looking at my keyboard and phone for look ups instead of looking at the approach, as there will be obviously a lot of new aircraft being added all day long. My idea would be enter the codes, airline, type, reg, etc  before I go and new logos to suit before I go.  Is this possible ? as the last time I did something like this I used GAS Auto-populate in 2008(ish) and went back through my old log books to find matches from 2001/2002  LHR trips and entered the details in Reporter and to my User Tag "Seen" list, but GAS Auto-populate is no longer running, so I could no longer get ahead of the game for when I went next spring. I don't mind the work in finding all the details (Reg, then Mode-S and then adding all the details manually), I just need to know if I can add the codes first and then able to fill out the rest.

Regards, Mark

[Anmer]

GAS SBS-1 Populate (and autopopulate) is working, albeit with some server-side database anomalies (read the whole message thread).

See:

https://radarspotting.com/forum/index.php?topic=12732.msg52335#msg52335

If your sqb databse on the laptop is only being used for the trip (and you retain your master database elsewhere) you could import s92driver's populated sqb file:

https://radarspotting.com/forum/index.php?action=tportal;sa=download;dl=item496

Or you can add new records to an sqb database using an sql editor such as SQLite Personal.

[Mark16]

Thanks for that, I had read the posts about it, but understood it to have some glitches with ICAO codes, etc. Mind you as it has the basics of what I need, starting with my missing codes and also adding new codes, I could spend the time going through them and sorting them out editing as I go.
Many thanks, it is very much appreciated.

[hispeedbypass]

Hi Mark I'm with you on this, I've just come back from LHR end of Sept and use the same system as you intend to.
Like Anmer (who is brilliant at supporting us!) I have over the years found the ideal route to both edit and add new files via SQ Lite and then to process in BS Reporter.
If you'd like any additional help or questions answered I will try to be of help.
I use a laptop (with 4 additional batteries) for a fulls day spotting and you will accumulate a large number of registrations the in the Session tab of BS Reporter will reveal.
I had over 3400 logs for the day, of course some are repeated but it still left me with around 850 to edit if you include light a/c etc.
I hope my previous post goes up for you that was a little more detailed if not this one introduces me
Julian

[Mark16]

Hi, great I thought over the years that there would be more than me wanting something like this.
As an aside note, I noticed you said about spare batteries for the laptop. I believe I have found a way around this. I also like camping, etc and bought a Jackery Explorer 240 UK, it is small solar charged power pack, that can charged by a solar panel, mains and 12 v car.  I bought it for camping use as my Mrs using a sleep apeona machine, so it can power it via 12v, instead of mains and also back up incase of a home power cut for her machine. I didn't intend to use it for spotting, HOWEVER..lol, it was rude not to try it with my laptop, considering the cost, well that's what I told myself.

I did a test at home using a Dell 12v lead from my Jackery to my laptop, as the wattage on 12v is smaller then 240 mains, I got just over 8 hours continuous laptop use while plugged into the Jackery use at 21 watts, with still 2 hours remaining on laptop battery when Jackery unplugged and just running on laptop battery. That test was in the house, so not recharging the Jackery from sunlight, etc. just what the Jackery Explorer 240 was storing at 100%. Outside my small foldable 100w solar panel can recharge the Jackery to keep the battery topped off and make the laptop last a lot longer providing the input (sunshine) wattage is higher than the wattage output to the laptop, so say 60 watts of solar going in and 21 watts going to the laptop on a nice day.  it gives me the ability to go extended mobile with my laptop and if I am a hotel during the night, just plug the Jackery into the mains for a full recharge and the Mrs plugs her sleep machine into the mains.


Have a look at the Jackery 240 or 500 (UK) versions, to see if it suits your needs, they have a UK store on Amazon. The UK version obviously has different plugs to USA, where Jackery is based and Europe, so check you look at the Jackery 250/500 (UK) and there are reviews from "Van life" people on Youtube who use it for living in their vans permanently. I have just adapted its use.

[egnx]

You could also use the Mode-S Tweaker to add new and edit existing records in the BaseStation.sqb.

You can get a copy from this Forum's Software page.

egnx

[Anmer]

You could also use the Mode-S Tweaker to add new and edit existing records in the BaseStation.sqb.

Good point, I'd overlooked that option.  Thanks.

Mode-s Tweaker can be downloaded here

[Mark16]

Hi Guys, back again. Can you tell me more about the Mode-S Tweaker  before I do anything with it , and what it does exactly. I have spent the last few weeks on and off going old school and underlining over 6,700 reggies in the Airline Fleets book, as I like a manual back up in case I lose my Basestation files and have the time to do it.

Back to the Mode-S Tweaker. Could I add the codes/reggies on to my Basestation files of aircraft I haven't detected such as JAL B777's, etc so I could do an airline list of airlines that use LHR and work away adding the codes/reggies, etc by finding the Mode-S codes first and then the rest of the details before I go and also, if need be, re-add the info should my Basestation files be lost ?

[Anmer]

The Mode-S Tweaker app displays data from a Basestation.sqb file together with associated bmp files from the BMPFlags and OperatorFlags folders.

I've attached the PDF Help file which is also available in the Mode-S Tweaker Zip.

Mode-S Tweaker also allows for a new Mode-S code to be added to the sqb file.  And for individual aircraft records to be edited, including newly added ones.

By the way, "Reporter" is basically a viewer for the Basestation.sqb file, your aircraft database.  Tweaker is an alternative with enhanced features.

[attachment deleted reduce file load]

[mhm]

You could always buy adu software with updates
https://adusoftware.co.uk/

[Anmer]

You could always buy adu software with updates

Mode-S Tweaker's free 

[s92driver]

You could always buy adu software with updates
https://adusoftware.co.uk/

Many other databases are available and most/all come with some sort of sqb interface module.  There's cheaper options than ADU as well 

[Anmer]

Mark16 asked specific questions about Mode-S Tweaker which I tried to answer.  Now everyone else's promoting alternatives.  We're going off topic. 

[s92driver]

Mark16 asked specific questions about Mode-S Tweaker which I tried to answer.  Now everyone else's promoting alternatives.  We're going off topic. 

I wasn't promoting any other product.  I was simply trying to counter the promotion of a product   

Agreed, off topic.  Time to stop.