For those of you with either one of the ADS-B receivers such as the RadarBox, which I own, you are able to monitor some of the AE/Lifteam helos which have the ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) installed. This piece of equipment is not yet mandated by the FAA but will be in the next couple of years. Right now I am only able to see the transmitted messages from the AE helos that indicate their assigned hex codes along with aircraft registration, aircraft model, assigned company/AirEvac EMS Inc, and their current altitude. They usually don't cruise above a few thousand ft MSL so you are really limited how long you can monitor them unless you have an antenna up high. In the future, when they transmit the full mode-s signal I will also be able to track them on the PC mapping. The ADS-B transmits on 1090.000mhz. Here are a couple of the helos I have logged:
hex code FAA registration Model Company Current Altitude
A20885 N230AE /AE-62 B206L AirEvac EMS Inc
A2F326 N29AE B206L "
A5E645 N48AE " "
A07526 N129AE " "
David
hex code FAA registration Model Company Current Altitude
A20885 N230AE /AE-62 B206L AirEvac EMS Inc
A2F326 N29AE B206L "
A5E645 N48AE " "
A07526 N129AE " "
David