Good day!
I've hankered after doing some ADS-B decoding for about two years, but have balked at spending anything on the idea because I have too many expensive hobbies already. I've been a radio ham for about thirty years and lately have graduated towards digital modes because of local radio noise from neighbours PLT networking devices.
About a fortnight ago, I read a website article about certain TV dongles being able to be used for ADS-B decoding, so I bought one for £25 and loaded the necessary Linux driver and software. It worked right from the start, though only with limited range with a roughly made quarter wave antenna I had lashed up and placed on a downstairs windowsill.
After some experiments with antennas and lashing up a pre-amp, I am running Virtual Radar for Linux and tapping into the linux netbook over the network with a Windows PC running a Plane Plotter trial. The results are far better than I had any right to expect.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pepgu1pqw0s/UIgzGMtyLsI/AAAAAAAAEPs/zxilZm9uAwo/s800/plane%2520plotter%2520view.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JLKiVn3qRjs/UIJfSMqfxEI/AAAAAAAAEOo/jk-CU2_CBTU/s800/adsb%2520pre-amp%25205.JPG)
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Welcome and thanks for sharing your experience.
It might encourage others to play with the inexpensive option. ;D
Welcome to the Mob Dongle enjoy it .A great bunch of guys
Shaky
Nice work. I reported on my efforts here with a dongle receiving ADS-B about a month ago. it worked by not very well. But having an SBS-1e I did not pursue it further, instead listening to ATC using SDRSharp.
Trouble is I don't know anything about antennae ???
;D The fun now starts, divorce by xmas.
Enjoy the hobby, feel free to ask, but dont mention Ships the boss gets tetchy :-\
Thanks to all for the welcome.
I replied to the first two comments last night in another post which has been moved to Self Assembled and Home Made outfits.
http://radarspotting.com/forum/index.php/topic,1697.0.html
:)
QuoteThe fun now starts, divorce by xmas.
I disagree.
A bit like when I was a kid, upstairs in my bedroom listening to airband radio and watching the approach to LHR (lived near outer marker to what was then 28L/28R) my mum knew where I was. Not hanging on street corners.
Now my wife knows I'm in my study watching the virtual radar, listening to airband. Not in the pub.
Did I ever grow up?
Ian
Welcome Dongle