ADS B boxes vs planefinder.net

[louisiana_jeeper]

What advantage does having a ADS B box vs using planefinder.net??
Should I see military aircraft on either one, on both, or on niether??

I have been considering the ADS B boxes for a while now but had some other priorities in line first.

Neglecting all the hype out there, which has slowed me down also, what readily available packaged box is the one to get?? (I know there has been considerable negetative comments posted by supporters (maybe employees) of one company about the other so please stick to facts as you have first hand experience)

Hope my statement does not get this locked but if it does mod help me edit and repost what I need to know to fit guidelines. Tnx.

 

[chief21]

Jeeper -

I do not yet own an ADS-B receiver (although I am interested), but here is my understanding...

Planefinder (and similar sites) solicits the outputs of individual receivers from across the world (from volunteer receiver owners), interconnected via the internet, and combines them into the display that is seen on their web site. If they have adequate coverage (ie - volunteers) for your area, then you don't really need your own receiver... you can just monitor the web site.

However, if the volunteer coverage in your area is not adequate, or if you wish to monitor both ADSB and mode-S air traffic in your immediate vicinity (out to about 200 miles, depending on your antenna and location), then you would need your own receiver set-up.

It is also my understanding that most US military aircraft may use limited mode-S, but do not transmit their location (ADS-B).


Regards,
John

 

[kma371]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)

Excellent response.

For both if you, if cost is the issue, there are MircoADSB receivers for $100 available.

Search other threads for reviews and input from other users. I have one and I LOVE it.

 

[louisiana_jeeper]

So far I have had a lot of enjoyment with planefinder.net. I am still trying to sort out my long run interest before making any move. Also there has been a couple of real productive responses via the sites e-mail and private messaging features. I really appreciate those folks for their responses.

I don't like the software that comes with the box I am leaning towards should I end up getting one. Fact is what I want is a 2d map background because if I was stuck with a vector scope presentation I would be spending a lot of time converting the display to a map here. I have not used radar since I was doing communications and power cables in the offshore oil industry some 35 plus years ago. 3D would be of no real value as long as I could retreive altitude data from targets and that seems to be the case. I have worked with engineering prints long enough when I see an elevation on a drawing it is understood.

One of the main reasons I am looking at ADS B is my hearing is not what it once was but I have a desire to stay in the radio hobby a while longer. I am also studying digital modes on HF and V/Uhf. There is so much out there for me to learn and enjoy I am sure it is only a short while before I make some move on either or more likely both. Several places comments have been made that planefinder.net is only as good as the available data. How do I know if it is filled in where I live is there a listing somewhere I can see of contributers????

Looks as though I have some more learning to do before I jump on something. Both of the major players in the ADS market today are not beyond my reach when I decide. I have been putting in my hobby account without taking out for some time now.

More replies would still be greatly appreciated especially on the lines of alternate software that works with the boxes.

 

[kma371]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)

Also Check out planeplotter. It's more customizable than planefindet.

 

[morfis]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)

Also Check out planeplotter. It's more customizable than planefindet.

...and it can also be used as the primary display for most of the available hobby ADS B/MODE-S units

 

[CalebATC]

Jeeper -

I do not yet own an ADS-B receiver (although I am interested), but here is my understanding...

Planefinder (and similar sites) solicits the outputs of individual receivers from across the world (from volunteer receiver owners), interconnected via the internet, and combines them into the display that is seen on their web site. If they have adequate coverage (ie - volunteers) for your area, then you don't really need your own receiver... you can just monitor the web site.

However, if the volunteer coverage in your area is not adequate, or if you wish to monitor both ADSB and mode-S air traffic in your immediate vicinity (out to about 200 miles, depending on your antenna and location), then you would need your own receiver set-up.

It is also my understanding that most US military aircraft may use limited mode-S, but do not transmit their location (ADS-B).


Regards,
John

John, for not being a user, you know quite a lot!

Well said- military do use something like ADS-B to be tracked, but nothing we can see, and probably won't, if ever be able to see in the future. Military do use Mode-S, but in America, it's really only some transports, some tankers, and some other general flights. Occasionally you catch a E-8C, or a E-4 or something interesting like that.

With the DPD antenna, you can usually do about 200 miles for high level aircraft, if your in the flatland area. Some people have logged some that are greater than 250 miles though! My max is 120, but I live in the mountains, so.

I'd go for the MicroADS-B, or the SBS-1Er. The SBS-1Er even has a built in FM radio, and a AM UHF/VHF aviation radio! The MicroADS-B is just like it sounds like... small!

 

[morfis]

For tracking military aircraft ...do a web search and learn about 'multilateration' and then have a look at the features of PlanePlotter software.
In the UK and Europe there is sufficient density of of people who have paid for PlanePlotter and are sharing their actual received data (in my case using a Kinetic SBS-1ER and two Aurora Eurotech units) to allow accurate positional info of military aircraft to be plotted.

 

[chief21]

CelebATC -

Thanks for your comments. Actually, I have a MicroADSB on order but they apparently take forever to get. My thinking is that I can experiment with a fairly cheap "box" before I decide to upgrade to a larger model with more (?) features.


Morfis -

I've been reading about the Aurora Eurotech boxes and I see that you have two (!) of them plus a Kinetic box. How do you like the Aurora's and how do they stack up against the SBS1er?? Please elaborate on your set-up.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

John

 

[ampulman]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)

Also Check out planeplotter. It's more customizable than planefindet.

Wasn't familiar with planeplotter, so went to the website for a quick scan.

Am I correct that this is a stand-alone product, i.e., does not operate via a web connection, but requires one type of receiver? If so, can a scanner be used?

Thanks.

Amp

 

[DaveNF2G]

Amp, not quite right.

PP can operate as standalone with your own ADS-B receiver and/or ACARS receiver. However, it is more useful online as it can also receive data from other users. This functionality requires a low-cost paid registration.

PP can be used with any of the current ADS-B boxes.

A scanner would be useful for ACARS, but not for virtual radar tracking.

 

[poltergeisty]

Where can you buy a MicroADS-B ? Looks like a kit?

 

[kma371]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)

Where can you buy a MicroADS-B ? Looks like a kit?

MicroADSB.com

 

[ampulman]

Amp, not quite right.

PP can operate as standalone with your own ADS-B receiver and/or ACARS receiver. However, it is more useful online as it can also receive data from other users. This functionality requires a low-cost paid registration.

PP can be used with any of the current ADS-B boxes.

A scanner would be useful for ACARS, but not for virtual radar tracking.

Thanks for the 'quickie'.

 

[morfis]

I've been reading about the Aurora Eurotech boxes and I see that you have two (!) of them plus a Kinetic box. How do you like the Aurora's and how do they stack up against the SBS1er?? Please elaborate on your set-up.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

John

The Kinetic product is more mature, has a large user base and a very active user community. Aurora is relatively new but support is growing.
The Aurora is better for use with planeplotter as it offers full raw data output whereas the Kinetic (and Airnav) don't.

I have never been fond of Airnav products - generally overpriced and with poor support. In tests at my main location an Airnav unit received significantly less traffic than either of the others (when connected to the same aerial system - home made aerial/amp, Stridsberg active coupler, LMR400 cabling) and I subsequently sold the Airnav box.
I will probably buy two more Aurora units later this year for other locations and have a MicroADSB dongle on order to see how that compares at my main location

In all cases I prefer to use Planeplotter over the supplied software for the GUI

 

[poltergeisty]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)



MicroADSB.com

I already been to the web site but where do you buy the kit??? There is no link.

 

[kma371]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8G4 Safari/6533.18.5)



MicroADSB.com

I already been to the web site but where do you buy the kit??? There is no link.

If you were there, you gotta read it. There are instructions.

 

[poltergeisty]

If you want to buy it, please email me: miro@mnet.bg

In small font no less.

 

[SYOTT]

In small font no less.

For once... the fine print pays off!!! LoL

 

[AZ645]

I've been using Micro-ADSB for a afew months, I've very Happy with it, I have been using the Sprut software that came with it. I was wondering if anyone has any addresses for the client servers in order to see traffic from other parts of the world. Also any recommendations for software to use. Planeplotter seems difficult to set up with MicroADS.