Radarspotting

Other Software => ACARS => Topic started by: cavewood1962 on July 09, 2023, 03:26:07 PM

Title: black cat acars decoding
Post by: cavewood1962 on July 09, 2023, 03:26:07 PM
can any one help how to set up and use blackcat acars decoder what equipment i need and how to set up from a radio
Title: Re: black cat acars decoding
Post by: Anmer on July 09, 2023, 03:51:43 PM
Do you have a link or any more info about the decoder?
Title: Re: black cat acars decoding
Post by: aviaction on October 11, 2023, 12:28:48 PM
I have posted Black Cat above.
Basically using scanner earphone out to computer Sound Line In.
Then run program
I have found 131.825 has most activity (Northampton UK)
Set volume gain level so green bar in software is about halfway with scanner volume at about 1 o'clock.
Squelch off
Best scanner for acars is Bearcat BC355 or one of that series. available used quite cheaply

Been monitering Acars since buying the Lowe Airmaster 2000 decades ago . Only just getting back into it as running that alongside SBS seems useful.

Alternative way is use an RTL USB Dongle with freeware - plenty of info on here and elsewhere

Have a book somewhere "Understanding ACARS" which was uploaded to the old SBS forum, Not sure if Anmer might still have a PDF copy
Title: Re: black cat acars decoding
Post by: rikgale on October 11, 2023, 12:55:11 PM
I have attached a copy of my frequency pi chart from ACARSHub - this should give a good idea of more active frequencies for ACARS and VDLM2. But you seemd to be on to a winner with 131.825

Source: https://www.cornwallvrs.com/acars/stats
Title: Re: black cat acars decoding
Post by: aviaction on October 11, 2023, 02:06:05 PM
Black Cat has ACARS frequency list included but misses out a couple.

this popped up this morning. BA flight Phoenix to Heathrow.

(https://i.ibb.co/7tKf2Qb/G-YMMO-Acars.jpg)  ;D