Airports + ACARS

[Chris0516]

I have tried PDW multiple times for ACARS and never any luck. I'm pretty seasoned with decoding acars and other modes using various sources and software but never could get it to work. If you happen to try it with success please let me know.

I tried it. While it is designed seemingly well. Going by the instruction manual, I can't toggle the volume.

 

[morfis]

Yeah I can't get it to work.
I was testing in the 1.5GHz range so maybe acars messages was less than what the VHF would be. But not sure if jaero will work on vhf or only 1.5GHz range

The 'transport' of the messages varies. The software needs to deal with the transport system to then extract the 'message'

PDW (if it works for ACARS - never tried it) won't be able to decode messages via anything EXCEPT the legacy VHF system.
JAERO will only be able to decode messages transported on the specific part of the INMARSAT Aero system it's designed for.
HFDL decoders will only work with HFDL
VDL2 decoders with VDL2.

In a general sense the messages themselves are being triggered and created by the same things but some are SENT via carrier pideon, some by a landline and some by a cellphone (or similar!).

 

[Chris0516]

The 'transport' of the messages varies. The software needs to deal with the transport system to then extract the 'message'

PDW (if it works for ACARS - never tried it) won't be able to decode messages via anything EXCEPT the legacy VHF system.
JAERO will only be able to decode messages transported on the specific part of the INMARSAT Aero system it's designed for.
HFDL decoders will only work with HFDL
VDL2 decoders with VDL2.

In a general sense the messages themselves are being triggered and created by the same things but some are SENT via carrier pideon, some by a landline and some by a cellphone (or similar!).

So, Which software program do you suggest?

 

[morfis]

The COAA website is asking me to pay a registration fee. Is that right? Also, I don't have credit card. So, I can't pay the $30 they want in order to register the program.

No idea how the website works
Did I mention that you can contact Bev (the original and main developer) and that there is a support group?

I have nothing to do with the software except that I have been using it to feed ADSB data to their system for a very long time. I don't use it as an ACARS decoder (though I did test that fuctionality a very long time ago and it worked fine when fed audio from the radios I tried it with). I use other things specifically written to decode legacy ACARS so don't need PP for that.

So, Which software program do you suggest?

I don't -there are a large number of choices. You discounted one because it is 'abandonware' (though it decodes legacy ACARS messages just as well now as it did in the dim and distant past when it came out). Presumably that means you'll discount pretty much every other audio decoder as none are actively developed any more (why would anyone bother when legacy ACARS is old technology that is being phased out?).
The newer ones were almost all written for linux to leverage cheap hardware like the raspberry pi and rtl devices - but you have also said you aren't interested in that route.

 

[Chris0516]

No idea how the website works
Did I mention that you can contact Bev (the original and main developer) and that there is a support group?

I have nothing to do with the software except that I have been using it to feed ADSB data to their system for a very long time. I don't use it as an ACARS decoder (though I did test that fuctionality a very long time ago and it worked fine when fed audio from the radios I tried it with). I use other things specifically written to decode legacy ACARS so don't need PP for that.



I don't -there are a large number of choices. You discounted one because it is 'abandonware' (though it decodes legacy ACARS messages just as well now as it did in the dim and distant past when it came out). Presumably that means you'll discount pretty much every other audio decoder as none are actively developed any more (why would anyone bother when legacy ACARS is old technology that is being phased out?).
The newer ones were almost all written for linux to leverage cheap hardware like the raspberry pi and rtl devices - but you have also said you aren't interested in that route.

I installed the rtlsdr and airspy. After looking at a lot of others'.