airnav/KINETIC AVOINIC BOX

[bobems101]

Hey everyone im new to this site and new to tracking/spotting planes. I started out plowing snow the last few years at our major airport here. Which has gotten me interested in aviation being around plans all the time. I have been looking at the radar boxes such as airnav 3d and the kinetic and WOW prices are through the roof atleast to me lol. Can anyone point me in the right direction as far as which box being the best and possibly a used system or know someone selling one? thanks everyone! Bob

 

[MtnBiker2005]

For snow plowing at the airport!
It will get much better by year 2020, When most aircraft will be equipped with ADS-B transponder. Since those planes will be able to show up on the map screen (flying or taxiing on the ground).
FAA NextGen website: http://www.adsb.gov/
http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=61586


Hard question to answer... Other people will like different product.

Other users posted what product they used on this topic.


Download the FREE guide to radarspotting in PDF format. Talks about ADS-B receivers,etc...
http://radarspotters.eu/guides/radarspottingguide.pdf
Forum:
http://www.radarspotters.eu/forum/index.php

Kinetic SBS-1eR - http://www.kinetic-avionics.co.uk/receivers.php

microADSB-USB receiver - www.microadsb.com/

PlaneGadget - http://www.radargadgets.com/

AirNav RadarBox – www.airnavsystems.com

Aurora Eurotech Virtual Radar 3D - www.auroraeurotech.com

The Mode-S Beast - http://www.qsl.net/dl4mea/fpgaadsb/modesbeast.htm

miniADSB - Do-it-yourself Experimental Open-Source-Hardware for 1090 MHz - http://miniadsb.web99.de/

http://planefinder.net/ - Shows only ADS-B Aircraft! (Works with iphone / ipad, etc)

www.FlightRadar24.com - Google Map display - Some coverage on the East Coast. (Data uploaded by other Mode-S receivers.)

 

[DaveNF2G]

I have tried the Airnav RadarBox and the microADSB. I prefer the capabilities of the micro. Airnav also has a reputation for being snippy with customers and not very good to their distributors.

If you want to spend a bit more, I would suggest looking at the Eurotech Aurora. I would buy one if I could afford it. (Maybe after I sell my RadarBox...)

 

[abqscan]

Hi Bob, I too was questioning for a long time on which box I should get. I ended up getting a Kinetic SBS-1eR. There are several software add-on's you can get for the SBS. I also like the fact the box can run on it's own without the need of a computer. But no matter what box you get, I high recommend the DPD outdoor antenna to improve your receiving range.

 

[MtnBiker2005]

Link:

DPD Productions - ADS-B (SBS / RadarBox) Vertical Outdoor Model Antenna.
http://www.dpdproductions.com/page_vhf_air.html#adsbout
http://www.dpdproductions.com/

 

[bobems101]

airnav boxes

Thanks everyone for your help and advice. Im still not sure what i will do yet keep looking i guess research some more. i was leaning more for the SBS-1er............

 

[bobems101]

Real Time

Also I forgot to mention I want one that i will have real time i want to listen to ATC Along side the radar and be able to see final aproaches and take offs in real time

 

[kma371]

MicroADSB is best bang for your buck. At $109 bucks, you can't go wrong. Very portable, plugs right into the USB on the PC/Laptop.

Paired with the DPD antenna, it's your best option.

 

[bobems101]

microadsb

And will this get me real time tracking?

 

[kma371]

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And will this get me real time tracking?

Yes. As long as aircraft in your area are transmitting ADSB signal.

Check out planeplotter software also. Someone in your area may already be providing data

 

[CalebATC]

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Yes. As long as aircraft in your area are transmitting ADSB signal.

Check out planeplotter software also. Someone in your area may already be providing data

Note on this- only about 10% of aircraft in the USA are using ADS-B tracking!

A good portion of airliners DO have Mode-S though, so you can see there altitude, speed, course, callsign, and a few other things, but not the actual location. Military planes use this alot, too.

I'd go for the SBS-1Er, they even have a built in UHF milair, and a VHF airband radio built in! They are a little more sensitive then the Airnav radar box, and you don't have to deal with the five minute delay.

Base Station will need alot of customizing and tweaking in the United States, or you can just use Plane Plotter.

 

[bobems101]

base station

alot of tweaking??

 

[CalebATC]

alot of tweaking??

All the maps are for Europe and France, so you will need to do some searching on the internet for USA maps, and change the settings around with the SBS-Resources program. It's worth it in the end, and I belive I'd rather have the SBS-1Er after I have it fixed to my liking.

 

[bobems101]

SBS-1eR

Thanks ya i like the sounds of this unit. The price is high do you recommend a place to purchase one. Or used?

 

[kma371]

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The MicroADSB does the same but much cheaper. Just sayin...

 

[bobems101]

Sbs-1er

So if i buy this unit all i should have to do is find US maps and thats it? it will be up and running no third party apps?

And does the microadsb do the same thing as the SBS-1ER ? ect..... big diff in price mean bigg diff in performence ? really i just want to track in real time. What about 3d maping? is it worth having?

 

[CalebATC]

So if i buy this unit all i should have to do is find US maps and thats it? it will be up and running no third party apps?

And does the microadsb do the same thing as the SBS-1ER ? ect..... big diff in price mean bigg diff in performence ? really i just want to track in real time. What about 3d maping? is it worth having?

You can run the Micro ADS-B and the SBS-1Er in the same program, with Plane Plotter. Or, you can just use Base Station for SBS-1Er.

I can't really tell you anything about the Micro ADS-B, although I have heard nothing bad about it, and only good.

I don't think there would be much difference at all in the performance- I do know the newer SBS-1Er claims to be 3db more sensitive, and most tests have shown it gets 15% more traffic than the Airnav.

If you live in a city next to a major airport, I would say the stock antenna will do you for now, but if you live far away from any major airports, you will probably want to get the DPD Productions 1090 MHz ADS-B antenna, and it's worth the $170. On flat land, 200 miles is not out of the ordinary for that antenna with a GOOD place (height, location, obstructions) and good feedline. May even want to think about a preamp from Kuhne if you really want to go all out!

As for the 3D mapping, I wouldn't care. I know Base Station has a little vertical chart you can use along with your radar. The real air traffic controllers don't use them, and I don't see how it would benefit anything. I turned my vertical view off.

 

[bobems101]

CalebATC

I live 10 miles from our major airport in an apartment building on the third floor with a balcony i have great access to put DPD antenna, for now stockis what ill use, the price is what scares me lol wish i could find one second hand as i am new to all this. i do have a pc that i plan to use just for this. what does planeplotter do for me? running in conjuction with radar box?

 

[CalebATC]

CalebATC

I live 10 miles from our major airport in an apartment building on the third floor with a balcony i have great access to put DPD antenna, for now stockis what ill use, the price is what scares me lol wish i could find one second hand as i am new to all this. i do have a pc that i plan to use just for this. what does planeplotter do for me? running in conjuction with radar box?

1) Sounds like you have a great apartment for antennas! Many of them aren't very forgiving...

2) If it has a metal roof (top floor, right?) you can make a mount to make it straightened to be paralell to the ground, so it isn't tilted on the roof, and you will have a pretty good spot. Or, try to get it on the back portch, etc, where view would be best.

3) Plane Plotter is a pretty awesome program that allows sharing of all users using it (if selected, a good portion share there data), whether be ADS-B, HF-DL, or ACARS. It allows for quite a bit of customization with radar screens with pictures and much more, even integration with Google Earth! It's not required, but alot of people use it!

 

[bobems101]

CalebATC

yes i think it will be a good spot no metal roof though but thats not a problem i can make it work..... can i go to plane plotter and see if anyone is sending data in my area is there a trial i can use before purchase i had a hard time finding one that worked know of a download spot?