SBS-3 and ACARS

[Chris-G0WTZ]

Kinetic is delighted to announce the availability of a Beta release of the ACARS decoding and display is available from our website.
The new firmware provides internal ACARS decoding on any of the the 4 SDR channels and the latest BaseStation software release provides not only a display of ACARS data but a socket stream interface as well.
This release cements the SBS-3 as the finest product of its kind in the world.
A tripple A product providing ADS-B, ACARS and AIS plus a multi channel SDR receiver. All in one box. Outstanding.

see the support download area of our website www.kinetic.co.uk

Enjoy 

[kdt1]

Sounds pretty cool Chris, may have to invest in the SBS3


Any pictures Of the ACARS in action?

[Mature68]

Hi Chris

Thanks for that just what i been waiting for,updating as i type lol


Brian

[Mista Uzi]

Thanks Chris

This is the firmware upgrade I have been waiting for.

Upgrade and working fine.  Using SDR1 &2 with 131.45 and 131.55 in Melbourne, Australia.

A rough comparison, running this alongside PlanePlotter ACARS Decoder and ACARSD, there appear to be quicker and more decodes.  Far from scientific, more noticed by eye.

As this is a beta upgrade, a request.
I would prefer to see the ACARS window as a separate tabbed window rather than a floating window.  perhaps a button adjacent to the show all / interested buttons.

Would be nice to have a window showing basic data and the open tab expand to show message content.

Also a facility to record logs, preferably in a  24 hour period in airmaster format.

I see the data is sent via port 30008.  Is there any addons or future development to be able to use that?  At this stage I can't see where that data can be used.

In all I think this is a great enhancement to the SBS3, I am really impressed with the display frequency column.

I am sure as this feature develops we may even see county flags and logos start to be incorporated!


Manyb thanks to the development team.  Initially I am very happy to see this.

MD

[Mature68]

Chris

Well do the team all working great  good job done.

Brian

[Anmer]

Hi Brian

Your signature says you have an SBS-1 and not an SBS-3?

Is this working with the SBS-1?

[Anmer]

This release requires an SBS-3 firmware update as well as upgrading to Basestation version 170.

You will find the required files in the Download area of the Kinetic website under "Beta".

http://www.kinetic.co.uk/newsite/basestationdownloads.php

There are four downloads from which to choose:

- SBS-3 Firmware & Basestation + ACARS
   This is a Zip file containing:
   2-page PDF "BaseStation 170 Firmware 115.pdf"
   SBS-3 Firmware File "L_0109_0000_0115_R_SBS3.kff"
   Basestation version 170 "Basestation.exe"

- SBS-3 Firmware with ACARS
   SBS-3 Firmware File "L_0109_0000_0115_R_SBS3.kff"

- SBS-3 Basestation with ACARS
   Basestation version 170 "Basestation.exe"

- SBS-3 ACARS Documentation
   2-page PDF "BaseStation 170 Firmware 115.pdf"

You only need to download the Zip file to get all three files at once.

However, there is a missing file that you will need to upgrade the SBS-3 firmware.  This is the uploader file and you may already have this if you've previously updated any SBS-1e(R) or SBS-3 firmware.  This file may be called:

   "progUSBLattice.exe" or "SBS3FirmwareUploader.exe"

If you don't have this Firmware Uploader you can download it from the Kinetic Downloads section under the SBS-3 tab.

To upgrade the SBS-3 firmware:

1. Close Basestation
2. Remove all antenna connections from the SBS-3
3. Connect via USB not Ethernet.
4. Place the firmware and uploader files in the same folder
5. Right click on the firmware file and select "Open With"  and then navigate to the firmware uploader.

The firmware update will commence in a DOS/Command window and will take about 8 minutes to complete.  During this time make sure there is continual power for the PC, either mains or via a fully charged battery.

To upgrade to Basestation 170 you just need to replace the current Basestation.exe in the appropriate folder.  You may like to save a copy of the current exe before replacing it.

When the update is complete the DOS/Commands window will close.  Reconnect the antennae, launch Basestation and check Help->About Basestation to check that it's showing the latest firmware.

In my case About Basestation showed I was using Basestation 170 but the previous firmware version 114 and not 115.  This needs further investigation.

[Anmer]

In my case About Basestation showed I was using Basestation 170 but the previous firmware version 114 and not 115.  This needs further investigation.

After a second attempt upgrading the firmware, it still showed as 114.

But removing the USB cable and reattaching it now shows 115.

[Anmer]

I think I've tuned the SDRs correctly but there's not a single ACARS message displaying in the message window?

Using the supplied whip radio antenna on a top floor position.

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[Anmer]

I take it all back, having seen a post on the Kinetic forum.

The messages populate the ACARS message window from the botton, necessitating a scroll down 

Not the cleverest bit of "usability" I've come across!

But no "message text"?

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[Anmer]

Hmmm, not a single message since the previous ones at 13.02?

Something's not right.

[MIXISM]

 , Mine appears to be working.  I love the action. But I don't see any ACAR position update on the radar screen.     should I?

Later,

[Anmer]

, Mine appears to be working.  I love the action. But I don't see any ACAR position update on the radar screen.     should I?

Later,

As far as I know, none of these SBS-3 decoded ACARS messages will plot anything on the Basestation map.

Getting some messages would be nice though. 

[MIXISM]

 You might check your primary freq setting. hope that helps because tyou have help me in the past with fat fingers. 131.55   
Later

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[Roadrunner]

Just checked mine again using 131.525 and 131.725 and got about 6 different aircraft but while changing the size of the window from the corner to full window and back I have lost every plot on my main screen!. I have now waited for 5 minutes for my machine to reload. Checking the debug screen it has loaded everything but is failin g to even look for a connection to my local IP addreess as is normal........