Radarspotting

Hello all

A former user here who wants to return.

Having just stumbled across my old SBS-1 kit during an attic clear-out, I have decided it would be good to get back into radarspotting now that I'm retired and have more time.  The SBS-1 hasn't been used for close on 10 years and I have forgotten everything I ever knew about how to use it (software, configuration etc).  Can someone advise on whether i should -

• try to re-activate my old kit and, if so, point me in the direction of an idiot's guide to set it up under Win10/Win7; OR
• switch to a FlightAware Pro Stick and Raspberry Pi

(either way I would want to install a decent external aerial this time rather than reverting to the default mini item that came with the SBS-1).

I would like to contribute data to FR24 and with this in mind I wonder if the second option would be better - presumably the RPi can be left running 24/7 and located in the attic, whereas the SBS-1 would need a PC to be left powered up 24/7?

Any help and advice most welcome.

Mike

Welcome Mike.

If you want to share your data with FR24 or FlightAware, an RPi and SDR receiver is your only option.

You can still use BaseStation to track and log your local traffic by installing ModeSMixer as a "go between" to use the data from the RPi.

But if you want to give yout SBS-1 a try, just download the BaseStation CD file from the Kinetic website and install it on your Windows 7 or 10 PC.  All I would recommend is you install in a bespoke folder rather than the default in Program Files.

Hi Anmer

Thanks for that useful information.  I'll have a look at the BaseStation software and see if I can get the old SBS-1 working standalone while I order up a RPi, SDR dongle and a good aerial/co-ax.

Mike