Looking for a good Aircraft Tracker What do you recomend ?

[BamaScan]

I am looking for a good aircraft tracking device. What do you recomend. It would mostly be used for tracking Military Aircraft. A outside antenna would be a good option. I would like something that would not be obselete in a few years. What would you recommed and why ? Thanks.

 

[kma371]

I am looking for a good aircraft tracking device. What do you recomend. It would mostly be used for tracking Military Aircraft. A outside antenna would be a good option. I would like something that would not be obselete in a few years. What would you recommed and why ? Thanks.

99% of military aircraft do not give a location in the U.S. I assume that's what you mean by "track" (location wise). They do transmit a Mode S transponder which gives altitude and registration information and also sometimes a call sign.

There are inexpensive $25 or so USB sticks that are normally used for TV that can be used to receive ADS-B signals.

Nooelec makes one which is commonly used (I have two).

http://www.nooelec.com/store/software-defined-radio/tv28tv2.html#.UaWZhHPn-Ag

 

[DaveNF2G]

The hardware is mostly irrelevant. Only one software package gives you the ability to "track" aircraft that do not provide their own locations.

PlanePlotter from COAA

 

[737mech]

There are inexpensive $25 or so USB sticks that are normally used for TV that can be used to receive ADS-B signals.

Nooelec makes one which is commonly used (I have two).

NooElec - NooElec TV28T v2 DVB-T USB Stick (R820T) w/ Antenna and Remote Control - Software Defined Radio[/QUOTE]

(Having a pc issue please ignore this post.)

 

[737mech]

99% of military aircraft do not give a location in the U.S. I assume that's what you mean by "track" (location wise). They do transmit a Mode S transponder which gives altitude and registration information and also sometimes a call sign.

There are inexpensive $25 or so USB sticks that are normally used for TV that can be used to receive ADS-B signals.

Nooelec makes one which is commonly used (I have two).

NooElec - NooElec TV28T v2 DVB-T USB Stick (R820T) w/ Antenna and Remote Control - Software Defined Radio

Can you actually have a map display and see mode-s military planes moving around with one nooelec and a pc? What software? I was only aware of being able to get a list of mode-s and plotting was for those acft using full ads-b? Unless you share with a few buddies in town and use correlation right? I haven't been keeping up with the usb tuner capability (still figuring out the SDR). Very interesting to see that work.

 

[DaveNF2G]

Again, PlanePlotter is the answer to what you are trying to do. They have a worldwide sharing network and a capability called MLAT (multilateration) that enables tracking of "positionless" aircraft.

There are also instructions available for interfacing the USB SDR sticks and several other devices to the program.

 

[poltergeisty]

99% of military aircraft do not give a location in the U.S. I assume that's what you mean by "track" (location wise). They do transmit a Mode S transponder which gives altitude and registration information and also sometimes a call sign.

There are inexpensive $25 or so USB sticks that are normally used for TV that can be used to receive ADS-B signals.

Nooelec makes one which is commonly used (I have two).

NooElec - NooElec TV28T v2 DVB-T USB Stick (R820T) w/ Antenna and Remote Control - Software Defined Radio

So do you use planeplotter with the USB receiver or what?

Edit- What is the frequency range? I didn't see any specs on the web site.

 

[kma371]

So do you use planeplotter with the USB receiver or what?

Edit- What is the frequency range? I didn't see any specs on the web site.

Yes.

1090mhz is the frequency the planes use.

 

[poltergeisty]

I knew 1090 MHz was what the squawk code was, but wasn't sure how effective that SDR USB device worked. That looks like an affordable solution and I'm just starting to get into plane tracking.

 

[kma371]

I knew 1090 MHz was what the squawk code was, but wasn't sure how effective that SDR USB device worked. That looks like an affordable solution and I'm just starting to get into plane tracking.

Squawk code is a 4 digit number used to identify the plane. 1090mhz is what frequency its transmitted on.

The SDR USBs work very well. I think better than the SBS or other receivers.