Acarsdeco2 Running Question ?

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BOBRR

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Boston, MA
Hello,

Would really like to monitor acars.
It was suggested that I use Acarsdeco2. Was a suggestion from the RTL.SDR Dongle folks.

Fine, I downloaded it, and I think it installed correctly.

But when I run what I think is the .exe, what happens is a black screen, and
lots of text scrolling down.

So, my basic question is, please:, how do I actually run the program ?

And how to pick the RTL Dongle as the default radio, etc. ?

If I can do this, will probably have other questions, but not sure how to even
get what I presume are graphic screens to show and run. Running W10.

Is there anything else that I need to download to actually run it ?

Thanks for any help, really appreciate it. Will blame it on old age now.

BTW: think wacars would be any easier for me ? Why ?

Bob
 

morfis

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Jan 24, 2004
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acarsdeco2 is a console program and you would normally run it from a batch file and not directly from the exe.
The downloadable archive contains a readme file with version notes as well as configuration/usage instructions.

Basically,
Create batch file (or edit the example one supplied) to contain the configuration you want.
Run batch file
View human readable output in your web browser

The example batch file from the downloaded archive
Code:
@echo off
cmd /c acarsdeco2.exe --device-serial 1 --gain 38.6 --freq-correction 91 --vrs-url http://192.168.64.135 --db C:\data\basestation.sqb --frdb C:\data\flightroute.sqb --silhouettes C:\data\silhouettes --pictures C:\data\pictures --banners c:\data\logos --outServer sbs:30008 --outServer ad2:31008 --freq 131550000 --freq 131725000 --outConnectUdp pp:192.168.64.135:9742
PAUSE
exit


If you only use one rtl device on your computer then you can safely ignore some parts of the config (--device-serial 1).
If your device is one with a TXCO rather than the really cheap original ones you can ignore a bit more (--freq-correction 91).
If you aren't going to use it with VRS miss some more (--vrs-url http://192.168.64.135)
If you don't want photos and the like you can ignore yet more (--frdb C:\data\flightroute.sqb --silhouettes C:\data\silhouettes --pictures C:\data\pictures --banners c:\data\logos).
If you are ony going to use the output with a web browser the above needs something added (--http-port 8089) but down need some of the example (--outServer sbs:30008 --outServer ad2:31008 and --outConnectUdp pp:192.168.64.135:9742).

A more minimalistic batch file might be
Code:
@echo off
cmd /c acarsdeco2.exe --gain 38.6 --db C:\data\basestation.sqb --freq 131550000 --freq 131725000 --http-port 8089
PAUSE
exit

You can add more frequencies (within the bandwidth of your rtl device) and this is one of the plus points of the decoder I would imagine
You can change the http port you use, change the gain. Only show uplinks, only downlinks, log output to file, stop display in the console window (which you wouldn't normally be looking at anyway). It's very flexible.
I suspect you probably do want all the images and stuff - it's easy enough to include those things but building the data will take a lot of effort

WACARS might look pretty but it's quite outdated and inflexible.....probably used by very few people nowadays.
acarsd which you mention elsewhere is also probably little used (a big draw back when it was written was the aggregation of data but that has been superceeded by other systems).
There are also other free & paid decoders available....as for which would suits your needs...only you know what they are.

(note. the vrs url parameter will show as active links within the bulletin board software but they are not 'real' links)
 

BOBRR

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2004
Messages
1,468
Location
Boston, MA
Hi,

First, a most sincere thanks for taking all the time and trouble to help me out, in detail, with this.
Really nice of you, and most appreciated.

Am in my 80's now, and they say one should keep their brain exercised at this age, and this will certainly do it.
Have little to no experience with batch files, etc., but looking forward to playing with it and learning.

Retired Engineer, and SW listening has always been a hobby of mine Have a SDRPlay RSP-2, a WinRadio G-31 Excalibur, and
a quite old, but still loved, JRC NRD 545. Besides the my latest toy, the SDR RTL Dongle.

I mentioned acarsd and wacars as I was hoping to find a relatively simple program
to run to decode and display acars. Surprised that there is no "easy to use" updated versions, or similar.

You mention that there are others though, so will do a more thorough search for, besides working with
your suggestions also.

Again, thanks for interest and help.
Let's stay in touch,
Bob
 
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