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**Oblivian** · 2012-11-21, 03:26

Noone here has got the tv tuner cars going yet I don't think.

As for free feeding SW, it depends on how the card talks to the PC. All the SW out there rely on a COM port or ethernet connectivity. So as long as the data received is able to be pointed to a COM port it will be fine to use ADSBscope (free).

If it is for local viewing only and the SW can't talk to it... you will be stuck.

Got a link to the SW they use with tuner cards?

/edit nevermind

Just realised they are USB devices and not PCI cards.. should be setup as a standard COM device

**Oblivian** · 2012-11-21, 03:36

Actually, some more googling seems the cheaproute, may not be the best route.

Looks like most the programs are made for linux, and you need to put some in-between software to decode the packets int readable AVR format before passing it on (other devices do this onboard with chips/software)

**Anmer** · 2012-11-21, 08:17

I bought a dongle a couple of weeks back just to see how it performed and what was needed to use it to decode and present Mode-S/ADS-B data. It was from a UK supplier with next day delivery and cost Euros 38 (GBP �30).

Since I run a "Windows PC, the first task was to install Linux so I could use GNURadio (for the radio) and Gr-Air-Modes (to decode the Mode-S/ADS-B data).

I started off by installing VirtualBox on a Windows PC to create a partition for Linux. Then I installed Ubuntu.

Not only did this take nearly a day to install, I couldn't have achieved it without a detailed tutotrial prepared by one of the Radarspotting.com forum members. IanH's step-by-step guide was essential reading and I'm sure he'll publish it in due course.

When Ubuntu was eventually installed, next came GNURadio followed by gr-air-modes. These were quicker and simpler.

Finally I installed Virtual Radar Server under Windows as that can use port 30003 data from a nominated IP address, in my case the VirtualBox.
One could also use PlanePlotter.

The result, using the small supplied antenna, was one aircraft tracked for about a minute. The aircraft was genuine so I was able to determine that the setup worked.

But my external antenna feed terminates upstairs (next to the router) and the PC is downstairs. All my other Mode-S receivers are upstairs next to the router and I "connect" to them either via Ethernet or using a Silex USB hub.

The dongle has a PAL connector and I've ordered a BNC/PAL adapter. But the dongle doesn't work with the Silex USB hub so I'm stuck at the moment, unable to compare the dongle against the specialist Mode-S receivers using the external antenna. I also suspect the data may "overload" the dongle.

Conclusions so far?

I paid nearly GBP �30 for one of the better dongles, based on the E4000 chip. I'm now told the newer R820T chip dongles are more sensitive than the E4000 at 1090 MHz (Mode-S/ADS-B frequency).

Setting up Ubuntu is a long and tedious process, made worse by having to install it a second time when it failed to load correctly a few days after the first install.

There are alternative, specialist Mode-S/ADS-B receivers available for less than Euros 80 (GBP �65) which will be much easier to setup and use.

If you have plenty of spare time and have an inquisitive mind and some Linux skills, the dongle is an inexpensive challenge. But decoding 1090 MHz data is variable and I suspect not as good as a specialist receiver.

I will now try an alternative Windows based decoding software and see if I can get better results using a laptop upstairs so I can compare the dongle to other receivers off the same external antenna.

Others have had more success, particularly when mobile.

But for the average "radarspotting" enthusiast, the dongle may prove too much of a challenge.

For more shared experiences, there's an active section on the Radarspotting forum:

http://radarspotting.com/forum/index...oard,51.0.html

**GregHudson** · 2012-11-22, 09:05

Originally posted by Oblivian View Post

Actually, some more googling seems the cheaproute, may not be the best route.

Looks like most the programs are made for linux, and you need to put some in-between software to decode the packets int readable AVR format before passing it on (other devices do this onboard with chips/software)

G'Day Oblivian.
Installing Ubuntu (again) is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. It failed last time, and I know less than nothing about it (which is probably why it failed to install). However, having said that, it was on a totally blank HD in an Acer Notebook - which might have been the real reason for the failure ;-).
I want to set this up in a totally Windows environment ALA using the Virtual Radar Server as mentioned above by Anmer.
Now on to his msg...
Regards, Greg.

**GregHudson** · 2012-11-22, 13:21

G'Day Anmer.
I have no desire to go thru attempting Unbuntu for a 2nd time - it failed once and I'm not touching it again.
What does interest me though is your comment ''I will now try an alternative Windows based decoding software''
Which software are you using to do that - and where can I get it please ? (hopefully open source?)
Also, what external antenna are you using ? / db Gain ?
How long is your coax run?
What impedance / RG# coax are you using ?
And what connectors ?

Thanks, Greg.

**Anmer** · 2012-11-22, 17:08

Hi Greg

Apologies for the delay in replying, been out today.

The software I'm going to try is this from Junglejet. You need to join his Yahoo Group to get the files:

http://radarspotting.com/forum/index...3.html#msg6933

I have an external antenna from Wimo in Germany:

http://www.wimo.com/framesetp_e.html

It's the GP-1090 with AS-1090 preamp.

There is a 10 metres of Ecoflex 10 terminating at the Bias-T with N-Type. From Bias-T short fly lead to RF Systems SP3 splitter.

But, for the dongle I have only used the supplied antenna with PAL connector.

**GregHudson** · 2012-11-24, 00:24

G'Day Anmer.
I checked out the German WIMO web site (thanks for the link), and the cost of a complete antenna/coax/preamp setup from them seems very reasonable.
Assuming it will feed into the dongle (when it arrives) I should be well on my way.

I guess the next logical step is to find a microADSB from somewhere...

Regards, Greg.

**Anmer** · 2012-11-24, 08:27

One word of caution Greg.

I have yet to test my dongle using the external antenna (I'm awaiting a connector). I do have concerns that it might overwhelm the receiver.

**GregHudson** · 2012-11-26, 00:56

Originally posted by Anmer View Post

One word of caution Greg.

I have yet to test my dongle using the external antenna (I'm awaiting a connector). I do have concerns that it might overwhelm the receiver.

G'Day Anmer.
Do you have any kind of AGC Gain Control or auto attenuator (if these things exist)?
Also, what type of connector are you going to use ?

I have 2 dongles on order, one has a female PAL connector, the other is a female MCX (I assume) connector.
I assume both dongles are going to be 75 ohm, which is not going to match the 50 ohm impedance of the coax (RG58u) or the antenna (SAN-1090) - which from memory, means a loss/reduction of signal.
Searching, I located this:
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...ctrum-analyzer

My new Mobile One SAN-1090 arrived this morning, but I don't yet have a receiver to plug it in to :-(
I also have to figure out how to mount it - no instructions included.

Regards, Greg.

**Oblivian** · 2012-11-26, 01:02

Originally posted by GregHudson View Post

My new Mobile One SAN-1090 arrived this morning, but I don't yet have a receiver to plug it in to :-(
I also have to figure out how to mount it - no instructions included.

Regards, Greg.

2x 'D Sackel' style clamps around the metal base direct to pole, or an L bracket with a hole in the bottom for the antenna to poke into which is then bolted to the pole. The bottom nut should unscrew without affecting the cable and give you ability to put a plate between and re-attach

**GregHudson** · 2012-11-26, 01:39

Originally posted by Oblivian View Post

2x 'D Sackel' style clamps around the metal base direct to pole, or an L bracket with a hole in the bottom for the antenna to poke into which is then bolted to the pole. The bottom nut should unscrew without affecting the cable and give you ability to put a plate between and re-attach

G'Day Oblivian.
I think the L bracket is going to be the only option - the antenna does not have a metal 'base' / mount to use D clamps.
It has a large nut, then a spring, then the fibreglass tube. It looks like it should be mounted on a roo/bull bar on a car or truck!
(See pic - click for larger image)
SAN-1090.jpg
After unscrewing the nut, it won't slide off over the N connector on the end.
And, even if it did, and I had a hole in the bracket big enough for the N to go through, the hole would then be too big for the 1/2 inch threaded section I need to screw the nut onto.

The only thing I can think of is to hacksaw a 1/2" slot into the L bracket, slide the antenne in, then screw it tight with the nut - which seems like a weird way to do things to me.
There's no installation instructions, and no reply to tech support at Mobile One (as yet).

Regards, Greg.

**Jarod** · 2012-12-13, 17:14

Hello all!

I am using:

- Hardware:

Receiver:
RTLSDR RTL2832U with R820T Tuner: http://x264.nl/dump/rtlsdr_antenna.jpg
For 1090MHz of course not using RG58 coax, but in my case some white tv/dvb-t/satellite coax. (Still could do better.)

Antenna:
Homemade groundplane antenna: http://x264.nl/dump/ads-b-antenna-gr...ane-proper.jpg
Calculator: http://www.csgnetwork.com/antennagpcalc.html
Design: http://ketil.com/la2dna/antenner/PMR...ne_antenna.htm
(Setup cannot be used 24/7 due to mast not being permanent and only up when the wind is calm. And there is so much else to do with the RTLSDR.)

- Software:

ADS-B decoder:

http://sdrsharp.com/index.php/a-simp...-using-rtl-sdr
A new gui version has been released: http://sdrsharp.com/downloads/adsbsharp.zip
This decoder is still in heavy development, but first tests make it better than rtl1090.

- Virtual Radar Server and Flightradar24 Feed
http://www.virtualradarserver.co.uk/ version 1.1.2 ( http://www.virtualradarserver.co.uk/...RadarSetup.exe )
http://feed.flightradar24.com/ beta 26 (2.26) ( http://feed.flightradar24.com/updates/226/fr24feed.exe note I changed 225 to 226 which is not on the page )

a) run adbs.exe (runs on tcp port 47806)
b) run virtual radar server, connect data source to tcp port 47806
c) run inside virtual radar server via options: rebroadcast server, format BaseStation, port 30003
d) run fl24feed.exe and connect to tcp port 30003

Result: http://x264.nl/dump/adsb-flightradar24.jpg
T-EHAM7 is me!

**GregHudson** · 2012-12-14, 12:16

G'Day Jarod.
Finally a step-by-step guide on how to do it on the cheap ! I'm impressed.
Well done. I'll be giving this a try ASAP.

Thanks, Greg.

**juangelb** · 2012-12-14, 22:15

Hi people.
I dont know if this was already posted.... It is about RTL1090, some people developed a software to do this...
I am at this time doing some testing with RTL 2832U (not yet R820) and RTL1090 plus Virtual Radar and it is working.
Waiting for arrival two R820...
Software link : http://www.hamradioscience.com/rtl10...on-de-website/
Not sure if this is/will be supported by FR24, and wil be gratefull is some advice about this.
Cheers - Juan

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Cheapest way to feed FR24 / Anyone using RTL-2832u-R820t usb dongle ?

Cheapest way to feed FR24 / Anyone using RTL-2832u-R820t usb dongle ?

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