Flightradar24 offering free 1090mhz receivers (with a caveat)

[Tommahawk]

About three weeks ago I was on the website flightradar24.com looking at their traffic and happened to be browsing the rest of the website when I came upon their offering of hardware in areas that they need coverage. It just so happens that in the area that I live they needed added coverage.

After three weeks I am happy to announce that my Commercial receiver is on its way after a series of emails and application process.

If you live in the area that they need coverage you can receive it as well if you meet their coverage requirements.

This is per a email that I received:

Here's how we evaluate applications. Our equipment is expensive and so too is shipping so we like to know where it will be located and who will take care of it.

The Mode-S antenna must be installed outside, clear of all obstacles such as trees, buildings and high ground, all of which can block data from aircraft. Some locations may not allow an external antenna so please check this first. Installations on apartment balconies or inside roof spaces are not suitable. The antenna is 38cm long and can either be clamped to a pole or bolted to a chimney.

The receiver is placed inside a building or weather proof cabinet no further than 10 metres from the antenna, connected directly to your router/modem so you need a free RJ45 port and be connected to the Internet 24x7. We do not use your computer but the receiver must be connected to a power supply.

To help us check the location, please send us 4 photos, looking due north, east, south and west from where the external antenna will be located. Please do not climb on your roof or mast; photos taken on the ground will be OK. Please name the photos "north", "east" etc.

Then we need just one more photo, showing us where you will install the antenna. Please mark where it will be positioned.

Finally, please tell us about your location. Is it close to a busy airport (how far away) or underneath a major air route? And what about your interests? Have you worked in the aviation industry, been a pilot or do you have an amateur radio licence?

In return for hosting our equipment you will receive a free subscription to Flightradar24 Premium which includes our mobile apps.

As soon as we receive your reply we can check if your location is suitable.

Once again, thanks for offering to host one of our receivers and we look forward to receiving your photos.

The direct link to their hardware page is http://www.flightradar24.com/hardware

 

[fourthhorseman]

Thats pretty awesome mate,
though shipping is not pricey-
the gear surely is.
Great to know this vendor is
taking wide view..not focusing
on sales/profits.

Congrats!

I also see they need a host from
Philadelphia..Im going to post
locally..Thanks !

 

[DaveNF2G]

They are trying to compete with a well established and much larger network of Planeplotter users.

The FR24 offer was made in the Aircraft Data Decoding subforum, which is where this topic belongs.

 

[Tommahawk]

Can someone move this to the "proper" forum then?? Thank you and appreciate it.. Did not want to start any trouble. Just trying to supply some information.

Sent from my HTCEVODesign4G using Tapatalk 2

 

[Rt169Radio]

Sounds pretty interesting.