Dongles on Android

[LX-LGN]

No it doesn't charge and reading through a couple of things from reviewers oin amazon there aren't many ones that do charge and read etc.

[shakysen]

Mine charges any USB mini device's including.Sat Nav, Raspberry pi. hamup converter

[Anmer]

Do these help?

http://shop.valarm.net/blogs/news/9042179-micro-usb-host-otg-y-cable-with-micro-usb-power-charge-for-android-phones

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Port-Micro-USB-Power-Charging-OTG-Hub-Adapter-Cable-for-Samsung-Galaxy-S5-S4-/271641277647?pt=UK_MobilePhones_MobilePhoneAccesories_MobilePhoneDataCables_JN&hash=item3f3f14f4cf

Looks like OTG phone/tablet "charging" cables are device specific for now.

[Triple7]

I've ordered the one from eBay and will post my findings when it arrives. I'm not holding out too much hope as I want to use it with a Hudl2. I took the view that power is power and the micro USB connection is the same, so we'll see what happens.

Tim

[LX-LGN]

Well then folks.

I plugged the dongle into the cable attached antenna and plugged them into my Sony Xperia SP.

As I already had the app installed on the phone it comes to life straight away. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bs.Avare.ADSB.Pro&hl=en_GB

I was on the station at Selhurst in South London and my eyes did widen a bit when the dongle picked up aircraft from just west of Reading, Stansted, almost to Gatwick (there are a few large building in the way in central Croydon) and as far wast as Colchester.

The app does what is says on the tin: It received ADS-B data!

The aircraft are plotted on an inbuilt map (although you have to always zoom in to your location which is a bit frustrating)

Other than the map is a data button. This shows lots of info but NOT the aircraft reg. just the HEX.

The aircraft are not "logged" anywhere on the phone which to me is a bit of a disappointment. I suggested on the apps Google Play page that a way of logging OR if you select an aircraft it logs to a text/log file would be a very useful enhancement. Especially as the identification is the HEX you at least could check the aircraft later.

There are a few other things I'd like to see included in the app but for the price of £1.56 what you get is a nice little bit of kit. It's not something I would always be using (I have FR24 Premium app on the phone too) but it is a nice little bit of kit to have as a back up and also for the time my premium lapses .

Ease of use 7/10
Value for money 8/10
Features 7/10

Can I recommend it?  Yes - Nice little bit of kit to use as a back up or if you happen to be at an airport

[Breitling]

Did you need to root the phone?  I've read somewhere it was necessary.

[Anmer]

Thanks for the review, very interesting.

But can it compete with an FR24 or Planefinder app which give us registrations etc?

[LX-LGN]

Nope it was downloaded ... then plug and play. Worked just fine for me.

[LX-LGN]

Thanks for the review, very interesting.

But can it compete with an FR24 or Planefinder app which give us registrations etc?

Thanks.

tbh no that is not to detract from it. I don't like planefinder (got the free version) and I really like FR24 Premium. But there have been times I have no 4G connection (even places where 3G is an issue) so this would be an advantage to someone in a poor 4G area.

[Breitling]

Does it show non ADS-B traffic (just Mode-S)?

[Triple7]

I've ordered the one from eBay and will post my findings when it arrives.

Well the OTG cable has arrived and as I suspected, it doesn't charge the Hudl - the charge light comes on for about half a second and then goes out again. Oh well.....

Here's the one I bought:

EDIT Shaky reported the link upset his security software so here's a better one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Port-Micro-USB-Power-Charging-OTG-Hub-Adapter-Cable-for-Samsung-HTC-Galaxy-Tab-/261632310201?pt=UK_MobilePhones_MobilePhoneAccesories_MobilePhoneDataCables_JN&hash=item3cea803bb9

Tim

[IanH]

You are using the charging connector I hope, not one of the 3 x USB? 

[Triple7]

Yes Ian, I am 

Tim

[Breitling]

During this Christmas holidays I tried the Android app on my phone with a chinese dongle and a simple  OTG cable. Located at the northern spanish shore in a place between Oviedo and Santander, on a hill top (380m ASL), with a huge mountain range to the south but clear 180º view to the north. Standard whip antenna trimmed to 68 mm (1/4 wavelength).

I'm impressed with the results. Max distance: 282 nm. Received frame counter reached 4 figure numbers in just a few seconds. I leave proof of the event with some pictures and screenshots.

[Anmer]

Thanks for sharing that experience.

Good to see your grandson made it out to visit you this Christmas.