KG-ACARS Looking for info and sharing mine !

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KD5WEK

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May 11, 2007
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Good morning everyone,

I am looking to see if anyone out there is using KG-ACARS ? I have stumbled upon this digital mode quite by accident and so far am enjoying it. Day two actually

I was able to get it up and running using the included english instructions but am looking for a bit more info, possible tweaks, how to get the database manager running that is shown on the page, and some general knowledge regarding its use. I did try using the english instructions there but am running into an issue when attempting to run the exe file for the DBM.

I get back..
Run-time error 339 : Component xLView.ocx or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid.

I currently am running this on a laptop connected to my BCD396T with a 3 element yagi aimed out towards ABIA / AUS on 131.5500. Currently inside and yes I know I will have to get that outside to potentially get better reception, this is just a try and see if I like it kind of thing before commiting to installing an ext antenna. Anyone recomend a good antenna for this use ?

I do get decodes from the planes however compared to the map screen I rarely get the planes info displayed there ?? I have been playing with the scanners volume, leaving the squelch open, and also the volume levels for the laptop as well and am to a point where I am not overloading the software, the nice little red indicator shown as OVR in the top right of the window..

Considering I am seeing the ????? that the others have mentioned I would guess that relates to the missing Japanese language pack, however I was able to locate in the original directory a gif listed as right-click-menu, that is very helpful as it lists the selections in english there.

With a bit of tinkering over the last couple days I have been able to locate a selection, third in from the left along the top bar that allows you to enter the tail number of the aircraft you are getting info from and have noticed that after doing so if I get another hit from that tail number it does popup that menu showing it, so I must be doing something correctly I think ?

Here is a sample of what I am seeing from this morning,, The last one actually caused it to display on the map screen WOOO HOOO !!

Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 7:54:57 AM]
XA0001 (HZMEJ1) [15:3:M22A] MODE:2
(2N30325W 97309259144400-61(Z
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 8:37:20 AM]
XA5012 (N901SB) [Q0:5:M25A] MODE:2
<<< Link Test >>>
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 8:39:28 AM]
WN1282 (N271LV) [32:0:M16A] MODE:2
:;0424GP-
KYM6WKGE8WA-593:Z5WER5B9U-Z
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 8:39:49 AM]
XA5012 (N901SB) [Q0:6:M26A] MODE:2
<<< Link Test >>>
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 8:39:58 AM]
XA5012 (N901SB) [Q0:6:M26A] MODE:2
<<< Retransmission Message >>>
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 8:40:06 AM]
XA5012 (N901SB) [Q0:6:M26A] MODE:2
<<< Retransmission Message >>>
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 8:40:11 AM]
WN1282 (N271LV) [_:1:M17A] MODE:2
<<< General Acknowledgement >>>
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 8:40:15 AM]
XA5012 (N901SB) [Q0:6:M26A] MODE:2
<<< Retransmission Message >>>
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 8:40:23 AM]
XA5012 (N901SB) [Q0:6:M26A] MODE:2
<<< Retransmission Message >>>
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 8:40:47 AM]
XA5012 (N901SB) [Q0:6:M26A] MODE:2
<<< Retransmission Message >>>
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 8:40:50 AM]
XA5012 (N901SB) [Q0:6:M26A] MODE:2
<<< Retransmission Message >>>
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 8:42:14 AM]
XA5012 (N901SB) [44:7:M27A] MODE:2
POS02,N29387W097482,399,KDAL,MMTO,0131,1442,1621,009.4

Not entirely sure of all the data some I can see is position related at the time the info was sent..
POS02,N29387W097482 LAT/LON

Can anyone else decypher the remainder ?
399,KDAL,MMTO,0131,1442,1621,009.4

I was under the impression it was usually ALT / TEMP / WIND ??

So any others out there currently using or enjoying ACARS ???

Adam
 

KD5WEK

Member
Joined
May 11, 2007
Messages
35
Got some nice plain text info here recently as well ! Some very detailed info from a second flight that actually showed up on the screen..

Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 1:15:10 PM]
UA0654 (N831UA) [5Z:1:M34A] MODE:2
/C4 IAHSNA 60MILES EAST OF SPURS
...WIND 265/128
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 1:15:28 PM]
UA0654 (N831UA) [5Z:2:M35A] MODE:2
/C4 IAHSNA FL360


Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 1:35:11 PM]
AA1996 (N955AN) [H1:5:F15A] MODE:2
#M1BPOSN30187W096044,TORNN,193510,370,TNV,193522,VUH,M53,261137,259/SP8433
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 1:35:24 PM]
AA1996 (N955AN) [H1:6:F16A] MODE:2
#M1BPOSN30172W096031,TNV,193523,370,VUH,194542,PEGLG,M53,262136,258678F
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 1:36:50 PM]
AA1996 (N955AN) [H1:7:F17A] MODE:2
#M1BPOSN30085W095530,TNV,193650,370,VUH,194542,PEGLG,M54,263133,257/SP7A24
Lch------------------------[1/31/2013 2:05:12 PM]
 

open-sky

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Messages
22
Location
Graz-Austria
Hello here on this forum!
I`m new here on this forum,my location is in europe (austria) this is the reason for my broken english,sorry!
the real reason of logging in on this forum was to found enthusiast for airradio listening on HF and VHF band decoding Acars messages with the free KG-ACARS program (I dont find users for this program in europe!!!) and monitoring aircrafts with the airnav radarbox, I hope it is allowed to communicate across the atlantic ocean on this forum,if anyone is interested to exchange experience please do it!
with the best regards from the other side of the atlantic open -sky
 

KD5WEK

Member
Joined
May 11, 2007
Messages
35
Day three finds me with a nice capture.. I am looking this over and I see several pieces of interest here,

Departing RJAA (Tokyo NRT) to (KIAH Houston) nice flight !

Guessing the A and B lines are engine information as based on this being Boeing 777-224 and the flight number indicating Continental Airlines.

Am also a bit curious about the last couple lines as well..

Anyone else want to lend a hand on looking at this ?

Lch------------------------[2/1/2013 12:54:07 PM]
CO0006 (N78017) [B9:4:L64A] MODE:2
/KIAH.TI2/046KIAHA04F2
Lch------------------------[2/1/2013 12:54:29 PM]
AA0244 (N883NN) [SA:7:S43A] MODE:2
0EV185351V
Lch------------------------[2/1/2013 12:55:30 PM]
CO0006 (N78017) [H1:0:D25D] MODE:2
#DFBCLBB02CON78017UAL6 RJAAKIAH010213 135CL082621 84623176CAL10128
1369002530201
9002480201
9820 122 -5532015755030)..10201020
A00159116 75100 -01 797
B00161122 69800 -04 804
945 945 9451054 822018707719 11 11
945 945 9451054 823518659720 8 7
84300 82201002
82914 82351002
10180 000)40940 122 635536600000000
10178 000)40940 122 626533700000000
00130750410053472870420730075
00400780750092762850790520078
20010 1931946915030)..10201020
A00162114 37500 00 839
B00163119 37100 -03 845
970 970 9701051 824215051719 17 16
970 970 9701052 824514983719 13 13
84410 8238
83154 8245
6749 000)33017 20 546536500004000
6749 000)32954 20 539531800000000
0006075041005 3 380410760075
00531000770072922970830670100
Lch------------------------[2/1/2013 12:55:41 PM]
CO0006 (N78017) [H1:1:D26A] MODE:2
#DFB651B02CON78017UAL6 RJAAKIAH010213 135DC185507
461763176CAL10128
136 5-
125
NORMAL 99
INVLD2
INVLD2
INVLD2
INVLD1
 

majoco

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Messages
4,278
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New Zealand
Not all Acars messages go to ATC as you have found - a lot go to company offices and engineering establishments. Specific engine and airframe data is not something that a company wants to be given away free to anybody who cares to listen - especially a competing airline - so they use a code that disguises what the figures mean. Frankly, I'm surprised that this stuff got sent on Acars from a Triple 7 - I would have thought this would have gone through the satellite link that almost all long haul flights use these days.
 

scanpprcn

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Messages
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Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Adam, If you like ACARS, I'd encourage you to read down on the threads about ADS-B in this same forum. Would you like to 'see' those same aircraft plotted on a map in real time?

Take Care,

Mike B.
 

KD5WEK

Member
Joined
May 11, 2007
Messages
35
Mike,

The KG-ACARS software does have a map that should I get enough information form the acars transmission will show and track the aircraft in real time. For a free product I am enjoying it. It's still a bit hard to follow but in playing about with it and using the included gifs I make do. I just dont have a lot to invest in getting a huge station going. This is something I happened across and like playing with my currently owned hardware. I do wish I had a bit better ext antenna to "hear" more but time will tell.

Thanks for the note and any suggestions regarding getting more info is always appreciated !

Adam
 

KD5WEK

Member
Joined
May 11, 2007
Messages
35
Hello here on this forum!
I`m new here on this forum,my location is in europe (austria) this is the reason for my broken english,sorry!
the real reason of logging in on this forum was to found enthusiast for airradio listening on HF and VHF band decoding Acars messages with the free KG-ACARS program (I dont find users for this program in europe!!!) and monitoring aircrafts with the airnav radarbox, I hope it is allowed to communicate across the atlantic ocean on this forum,if anyone is interested to exchange experience please do it!
with the best regards from the other side of the atlantic open -sky

Hmmmm not sure of the laws elsewhere reagrding the monitoring of acars elsewhere however I do like the software. I also am not sure about how many use it, that appears to be a challange that few have taken up. I have looked at others however I like this one as its not dependent on a connection, just the laptop, my scanner and my antenna. I am sure that I am not "seeing / hearing" what I could and already have found this to be quite interesting.

I have posted a couple nice messages I have received so please feel free to drop in and chat if you would like..

Adam
 

KD5WEK

Member
Joined
May 11, 2007
Messages
35
Anyone else out there getting anything interesting on ACARS recently ? Here is one I got !!

Interesting plain text... A Boeing 757-251(WL)
N554NW Aviation Photos - Planespotters.net Just Aviation

Shows Northwest and Delta Airlines so guessing she was sold at one point..

San Antonio to Atlanta it seems. I wish I had received more of the conversation.. This is easily becoming an addicting hobby.

Lch------------------------[2/11/2013 2:13:37 PM]
NW9934 (N554NW) [80:0:M40A] MODE:2
3401/11 KSAT/KATL .N554NW
THX FOR YOUR HELP
NOW HOPE WE HAVE A GATE
NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW ANY
THING ABOUT THIS FLT

Lch------------------------[2/11/2013 2:16:41 PM]
NW9934 (N554NW) [80:2:M41A] MODE:2
3401/11 KSAT/KATL .N554NW
THX BRENT
 

GINES

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Mar 2, 2013
Messages
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this is my first post in this forum as a new member, I use kg-acars since three months ago, along with an AR-5000 receiver and a Lindenblat antenna, it's working fine here at Guayaquil, Ecuador. I live about 5 miles from the international airport. The program is very nice, but the only problem I have it's I am not able to get working the map, neither with the generate own map using the MabikaNight utility, I get some kind of message error, and the screen where the map must show-up remains black.
I have followed the instructions in english but I could not solve the problem, somewhere I read that the problem maybe because the program is for windows in japanese, but I do not think so, nevertheless any help from someone who solved this problem I should appreciate it. My PC works with Windows 7 pro
 

wkm

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WA
Did you ever figure this program out? I just started using it today on a win8 machine. Downloaded a Japanese lang pack but everything is still marked at question marks. The alt, twp, and wind don't pop up in the side bar. None the less a fun program to play with. Got some hits on two east coast US fights.
 

morfis

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Messages
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have a look at acarsd (ACARS - Free ACARS decoder for Linux & Windows - acarsd). Some people find it had to get it set up initially but it is a far more advanced software than KG-ACARS.

I prefer Airmaster (old DOS then windows software that required a serial dongle) as it consistently gives me better decodes than other newer software. AEA/Timewave marketed it in the US as an add-on piece of software for use with their various packet modems.
 
D

DaveNF2G

Guest
Delta now owns Northwest. Many old NW aircraft still show the Northwest IATA prefix on ACARS. The same still happens for some US Airways (HP) and United (CO) flights. Also, Atlantic Southeast was assigned code EV to replace XE a while ago, but most flights still show XE on ACARS.
 

wkm

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Going to try acarsd next after trying kg-acars. Its easy to install just unzip and no install. Have found that updating the database via the included program is not going to happen. The program has some aging components that win8 doesn't like. But if one has the time looks like be done spreadsheets can updated one at a time by scouring the data log. The menu is a mystery but if your not afraid to push some buttons or check some menu items. It won't take long to figure out.

So far I have seen flights in the logs located in Alaska, Texas, and places I couldn't decipher off hand. The only far off flights that plotted on the map were on the east coast. Which I was surprised to see the long distance stuff with my set up.

My interest has been peaked that is for sure.
 

SkiBob

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ACARS is fun to track particularly on those bad weather days when planes are communicating with dispatch on alternate routes/airports.

In reference to your "far off flights": Just because a plane plots on the map in Alaska, or on the east coast, or out of your regular area doesn't mean you are receiving signals from that area. The plane is either sending an old coordinate or it's just plane (pun) broke. One of the most common things I hear on the dispatch channels is "ACARS is in-op.. here are the times...".

Have fun discovering ACARS :)
 

wkm

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I thought that might be the case. But I am not that far from Alaska as opposed to the east coast. Considering the planes have the best antenna height anything could be possible :) . I have also seen planes coming out of PDX. 130.025 seems to be the most active in my area. Next adventure is to find a good signal for flights in Canadian airspace around Vancouver, BC.
 

wkm

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I have figured out how to get the database manager to work on win8 and may possible for win7. Go into the properties>compatibility>tick compatibility mode for xp service pack 3.

However I am running this along side ascard . As the gui is nicer for messages and pics. Kg-Acars plots more planes due to the way it translates the coordinates that are displayed.

Now I am going to get set up for ADS-B.
 
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wkm

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Setting up acarsd isn't as hard to setup as it may seem. Things you have to do to get it to work are set new directory manually and then using the installer to creat the new .ini file. Then go back to the zip folder to cut and pasting the plugins to the new directory.

As for the mapping that all depends on the way the pilots enter the data. If the coordinates are entered into the message KgAcars will plot. If the coordinates are entered like this.
north:46.9833 west:122.4545
Then it won't plot but that is how acarsd deciphers it to plot though

I got my linux laptop running again so I decides to try another linux based acars program called acarsdec. Was a bit of work to get running. Had to compile it from source. Didn't know the exact dependency package names so I ended up compiling one from source (though I later found in the repo's)and searched for a bit for the other. The names of the needed packages was not well documented. Just very vague references to files in actual packages. Once it's running does a nice job. reports to the command prompt and can be linked to another program for plotting called Xastir.
 

screenersam

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new directory and .ini file is beyond my puter skills.
I have had some luck with the KG acars. last night I opened the squelch and set it on scan (I have a bank with just the acars channels) and got 8 hits in an hour, including one on the map (first time I'd seen that!). mostly JetBlue, one AA, one USAir.
most plane#s are formatted X123XX, depending on airline (Jetblue planes end wi JB, as in N652JB). I got one tail# C-GQCA. maybe a miscode.
 
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