Hello

[dongle]

Good day!

I've hankered after doing some ADS-B decoding for about two years, but have balked at spending anything on the idea because I have too many expensive hobbies already. I've been a radio ham for about thirty years and lately have graduated towards digital modes because of local radio noise from neighbours PLT networking devices.

About a fortnight ago, I read a website article about certain TV dongles being able to be used for ADS-B decoding, so I bought one for £25 and loaded the necessary Linux driver and software. It worked right from the start, though only with limited range with a roughly made quarter wave antenna I had lashed up and placed on a downstairs windowsill.

After some experiments with antennas and lashing up a pre-amp, I am running Virtual Radar for Linux and tapping into the linux netbook over the network with a Windows PC running a Plane Plotter trial. The results are far better than I had any right to expect.

[Anmer]

Welcome and thanks for sharing your experience.

It might encourage others to play with the inexpensive option. 

[shakysen]

Welcome to the Mob Dongle enjoy it .A great bunch of guys

                                                                                            Shaky

[IanH]

Nice work. I reported on my efforts here with a dongle receiving ADS-B about a month ago.  it worked by not very well. But having an SBS-1e I did not pursue it further, instead listening to ATC using SDRSharp.

Trouble is I don't know anything about antennae 

[mhm]

  The fun now starts, divorce by xmas.

Enjoy the hobby, feel free to ask, but dont mention Ships the boss gets tetchy

[dongle]

Thanks to all for the welcome.

I replied to the first two comments last night in another post which has been moved to Self Assembled and Home Made outfits.
http://radarspotting.com/forum/index.php/topic,1697.0.html

[IanH]

The fun now starts, divorce by xmas.

I disagree.

A bit like when I was a kid, upstairs in my bedroom listening to airband radio and watching the approach to LHR (lived near outer marker to what was then 28L/28R) my mum knew where I was. Not hanging on street corners.

Now my wife knows I'm in my study watching the virtual radar, listening to airband. Not in the pub.

Did I ever grow up?

Ian

[kdt1]

Welcome Dongle