NEW Flightaware Dongle

[737mech]

Flightaware dongle review.

Guys I have tested this dongle for a decent test period. I use it at the end of my USB extender cord and at the base of my antenna. I am also using the inline 1090 filter. Here's my report.

When it's working I like it. Seems to extend my range.

I said "When its working" because right now it is not working. I posted earlier about ADSB# and the fail message I get when I open the program "Freq cannot be set 10900000" the dongle is not there as far as ADSB# is concerned. I plugged in a R2 dongle direct to a usb port and boom there it was. So what is the difference if the dongle is out there on a usb extender? Other dongles do not have this problem. I have noted the problems are with Noolec rtl dongles mostly. The DVB-T r2 type do not give me any problem. What is so different between the DVB-t and the Flightaware RTl dongle? I have tried several different usb ports and no joy.

Overall this is a total fail for me. I'll go back to what works. Sorry Flightaware. If it doesn't work it doesn't get a good review.

If you want to send me a replacement that would be great I'd like to try another perhaps a bad from stock?

 

[AggieCon]

I just ordered the FlightAware dongle and their filter. I found out about it a few weeks ago, but it was sold out, until I looked today. Considering the prime shipping, I think it's a great price, especially since it saves me having to buy an adapter or do my own soldering. Sure I could save a few bucks for one of the cheaper blue ones, but I'd also have to wait a week or two to get it.

That said, I'm slightly concerned that at least one of you has had problems. Is it a software or hardware problem? I.e., if used in say SDR#, will it have continuous uptime?

If there are any updates or anyone who's tried it out more over the past week, I'd appreciate your insight.

It's my understanding that frequency accuracy is not critical for ADS-B purposes. RTL1090, for instance, doesn't even have configuration for ppm correction.

 

[Ryangn]

I received mine last week and I must say WOW! What an improvement. I am getting a lot more aircraft and greater distance. I use ADSB# also with the dongle connected to the PC via a 6 foot usb extension cable with no troubles.

 

[AggieCon]

I got mine yesterday, and I have it up and going (as well as their notch filter). I am happy with it. It's drift is non-existent. It's the first dongle I've had that requires no PPM correction. It stabilizes rapidly too. So far, it seems to be better than the regular dongles, and I haven't even fine tuned the gain yet. I ordered it Saturday and received it Monday evening with regular Prime shipping. Can't beat that.

The only thing that did slow me down: The "product" name of this dongle is different than the regular RTL 820T/820T2 dongle. This required me to use Zadig to load the driver for it. Not a big deal, but it did take me a second to catch on. With the other types, I only had to do it once and the 5-6 others I have worked immediately upon plugging them in. Mine had a product name of "RTL2832UFA" and the serial number was "00001000".

 

[Turbo68]

Hi everyone received my flightaware dongle few weeks ago what do i need to do to get it going not very good with computers thanks.

Regards Lino.

 

[737mech]

Virtual radar

Some helpful information here RTL-SDR Tutorial: Cheap ADS-B Aircraft RADAR - rtl-sdr.com