Flight tracking hardware and antenna

[Charlie98]

I've been using FlightRadar24.com for a while, it's pretty neat. I'm wondering what it would take to gather the components for an ADS-B receiver, most particularly the antenna required. I live in a community with a HOA and I can't have a big antenna...

I've looked at some of the equipment required, but can't really get the skinny on the best setup nor the minimum antenna required.

 

[Plan.B]

If you want to listen to air radio voice traffic you can do so with any vhf radio that receives frequency: 108-137 MHz, and mode: AM. Simple and inconspicuous antennas for this frequency range are easy to make, and cheap to buy, as they are relatively small. Mount them as high as possible. Use good quality coax.

I use a Yaesu FT-7900R and a homebrew copper pipe j-pole or ladderline j-pole, each designed for best TX at 146 MHz (about 5 feet long), mounted vertically at about 35 feet, connected with LMR400UF. Although not specifically designed for air band, this setup works well for voice AM reception, and is relatively inexpensive.

I'm not familiar with the ADS-B setup. Is it designed for receiving digital modes? As long as you know the frequency, you can figure out the best antenna size for TX. RX only is easier, can be larger or smaller and still be effective. Verticals are omnidirectional, so they are the easiest to deploy. Any help, or am I off base?

 

[John Connor]

I'm a member over at www.Radioreference.com and they will tell you everything you need to know about doing this. I would personally use a SDR (Software Defined Radio). It's a lot cheaper and all you do is tune in 1090 MHz.

 

[John Connor]

If you want to listen to air radio voice traffic you can do so with any vhf radio that receives frequency: 108-137 MHz, and mode: AM. Simple and inconspicuous antennas for this frequency range are easy to make, and cheap to buy, as they are relatively small. Mount them as high as possible. Use good quality coax.

I use a Yaesu FT-7900R and a homebrew copper pipe j-pole or ladderline j-pole, each designed for best TX at 146 MHz (about 5 feet long), mounted vertically at about 35 feet, connected with LMR400UF. Although not specifically designed for air band, this setup works well for voice AM reception, and is relatively inexpensive.

I'm not familiar with the ADS-B setup. Is it designed for receiving digital modes? As long as you know the frequency, you can figure out the best antenna size for TX. RX only is easier, can be larger or smaller and still be effective. Verticals are omnidirectional, so they are the easiest to deploy. Any help, or am I off base?

You are off base. LOL! Not even on final.

 

[John Connor]

Here you go. Buy one of these SDRs and use plane plotter. Tune to frequency 1090 MHz.

http://www.nooelec.com/store/software-defined-radio/tv28tv2.html#.UaWZhHPn-Ag

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Realtek-RTL...iver-Tuner-FM-DAB-PAL-F-adapter-/300838890703

http://www.coaa.co.uk/planeplotter.htm

If you buy the right connectors on Ebay I would get a discone antenna. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...Xdiscone.TRS0&_nkw=discone&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Run RG-7 cable.