Spotting military aircraft

[TTECH]

Ok I think I will order one then

Regards,
TTECH

[TTECH]

Just ordered a dongle. Can't wait to test it out.

[TTECH]

Is it actually possible to listen to AM airband radio with the r820t dongle?

[Bethsalem]

Yes, with the correct antenna. The R820T dongle can search between 28MHz and 1750MHz approximately.

[TTECH]

Ok thanks for the reply.

[Keef]

The SDR# software is what I use for listening to airband with a dongle.

http://rtlsdr.org/softwarewindows has a guide, if you look under the 'Automated Installer' section there is a link to a download.

There is also a frequency manager plugin which allows you to set it up as a 'scanner' http://www.sdrsharpplugins.com/.

Cheers,

Keef.

[TTECH]

Thank you.
I'll take a look at it.

[TTECH]

I managed to get the R280T dongle working on my laptop.
What's the best way to start now?

[Bethsalem]

This is a good place to get hardware, software and advice from to get your dongle receiving aircraft.

http://rtl1090.jetvision.de/

[TTECH]

Thank you.
Is PlanePlotter free when feeding data?

[Anmer]

To share data you need a one-off PP licence.  If you feed "regularly" as an approved Ground Station, you get free MLAT.

[TTECH]

Okay I think I'll also have to pay for MLAT then.
I can't have always my computer turned on.

[TTECH]

I have managed to set up the R820T dongle with PlanePlotter and it works!
I am now approved as Master User.

But my main goal is not reached yet: seeing ALL aircraft flying around me, +-10km at any height.
There are ULM planes flying around my house but I can't see them on PlanePlotter.
Mlat is configured and turned on so maybe there not enough Mlat users around me.
Sharing is also working and my receiver has succeeded all the network tests.

Should I try the Beamfinder method or am I doing something wrong?

[satcom]

If you are unble to locate a/c using manual mlats then there are not enough ground stations around you
Remember that your rtl dongle does not provide useable data for the mlat system
at present.
That may change in due course

[TTECH]

Why doesn't it provide usable Mlat data?
I have configured everything for Mlat.

Will the Beamfinder method work better in my case?