Light aircraft, Helicopters and bizjets etc....

[craig7653]

As I sit and look at my SBS-3, the screen is very nice and busy and colourful etc. In the aircraft list I see all the airliners along with the other stuff like bizjets, helicopters and light aircraft along with the RAF and USAF stuff. Just recently I noticed on the Flightradar24 app that most things seem to be showing on the map. Obviously not military stuff, but bizjets and small airliners that only show in the aircraft list on the SBS show on the map of flightradar24. Now as I understand it the flightradar24 is only the same as the SBS. Its an ADS-B receiver in someones garden which picks up the signals to a computer and then is relayed to the flightradar24 team somewhere who in turn display the information on the app for all to see. Now, what I'm wondering is if they can show the aircraft position on  map why can't I do that on my SBS instead of them just appearing in the list? Have I not got something checked or unchecked. I've had my SBS quite sometime now, and seeing as it cost be the best part of £800 with aerials etc i'd like it to be the best it can. Thank you in advance.

[Anmer]

Now, what I'm wondering is if they can show the aircraft position on  map why can't I do that on my SBS instead of them just appearing in the list?

We're seeing non-positional aircraft plotting on the FR24 map because it's deployed it's own receivers in Europe and the USA and can determine the aircraft position using MLAT - Multilateration.

Where there are enough FR24 supplied receivers, they can "plot" the position of the aircraft by establishing a precise "fix" using the aircraft's Mode-S transmissions.  The process is more complex than I've described but it can plot many of the aircraft that you see in your Basestation list but not on its map.

There's nothing wrong with your Basestation, except that the SBS-1/3 can't contribute to the FR24 MLAT plotting.

I must add that PlanePlotter offers a MLAT service too to which the SBS and some other receivers can contribute, though not a RadarBox.

[craig7653]

Thank you 

[satcom]

Hi Craig

PlanePlotter  has been providing an Mlat service for the last five years for those interested in the non plotters.
Coverage across the UK is fully established down to about 200 feet and includes military a/c

[Anmer]

In view of Satcom's promotional post, I will add that Flightradar24 MLAT is free.

PlanePlotter MLAT is only available to those who have purchased a PP licence at Euros 25 plus VAT.  For those not approved Master Users (regularly sharing "raw" data to PP) there is an additional annual MLAT fee of Euros 12 plus VAT.

Just to clarify. 

[satcom]

Thanks Mike.....saves me "promoting it "  I should add that for people like Craig , with an SBS3 or indeed any other receiver than the radarBox , if he uploads raw data , Mlat is free .... plus he sees all biz jets* mil etc [ * even those on the BARR list] and he can decide which a/c he wants to mlat , unlike FR24 which only shows those a/c determined by the web server. Plus of course he can tailor PP to however he wants to see it , adding his own  home brewed filters , alerts etc.

Dont get me wrong , I ain't knocking FR24 I pay the £25 annual subscription to it myself for the Pemier version so that I can see it without annoying adds and pop ups , its perfect for the less discerning enthusiast.

One other point...if Craig used PP to also send his data to FlightAware , he could then get a free subscription from them....usually $90 a month 

[Anmer]

its perfect for the less discerning enthusiast.

After 8 years of radarspotting, I suppose that's one way to describe those of us who prefer free, easy to use websites to over engineered alternatives. 

[viking9]

The other problem with FR24 is that (correct me if I'm wrong) you cannot see waypoints and airways or use your own maps such as TACAN routes so it really isn't much good for mlatting Mil, light ac, helicopters and bizjets because you don't have much idea where they are going.  PlanePlotter really is unparalleled in that respect.

[Anmer]

The other problem with FR24 is that (correct me if I'm wrong)

You can add waypoint and outline files to the RadarView option which is free for all FR24 feeders.

[IanH]

"over engineered alternative" perhaps but until recently there wasn't an alternative. Didn't take me long to cough up my 25 euro one-off payment so I could MLAT the position-less aircraft that make up a considerable percentage of flights over here.

Would I do that now? Would I even buy a receiver, even a dongle at £12? I can't answer that since I'm hooked on owning the hardware, but as a newbie .......... 

Ian

[satcom]

What we have to remember Mike is that PlanePlotters "overengineering"  pioneered the way over the last five years...a path which other web based services are struggling to emulate.

Its over engineering has also provided functions which original SBS users were crying out for but never got ...a network / Mlat / plus many additional features .
Kinetic have failed to provide full SDR scanning...you can get that through PP....you can also see cleared to altitude data , upper air temps , adjustable QNH , Wind Rose and direction , True Air Speed , BeamFinder both Node S and  Mode A/C etc...etc...plus of course outstanding free support 

[menhams-j]

I have picked up some biz jets a microlight and military aircraft
mostly A330's and A310's on my SBS-1ER basestation it would be
great to pick up other aircraft I am not bothered I just look out the window menhams-j

[Anmer]

You should "pickup" all aircraft within range of your antenna that are using Mode-S on 1090 MHz, both those sending positional data and those that are not.

But you won't see non-positional aircraft plotting on your BaseStation map.

[menhams-j]

On my basestation I mostly pick up aircraft
on the west the east as far as Edinburgh 30 miles north of glasgow south right down to the Isle of Man I pick a lot of aircraft up.
My aerial is on my front bedroom window I would extend my range if it was on the roof
at the moment I cannot afford this it would be good if basestation could pick up all types of aircraft. my aerial faces west I stay in cumnock  Jim Menhams

[G4UMW]

..it would be good if basestation could pick up all types of aircraft.

Basestation does pick up all types of aircraft (with the exception of most gliders). The problem is that not all of them transmit the positional information that enables them to be displayed on your virtual radar screen; even these should be shown in your aircraft list.