# ACARS and VDL2 **URL:** \ **Category:** ADS-B Flight Tracking\ **Created:** [October 1, 2019, 10:12am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661 "2019-10-01T10:12:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![technodevotee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/technodevotee/32/136901_2.png) [@technodevotee](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/technodevotee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2019, 10:12am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/1 "2019-10-01T10:12:39Z")
I have installed my spare rtl-sdrs and appropriate decoders for these on my Pi and they are receiving and logging lots of stuff but now I am wondering what to do with all this data I’m receiving. Is there an application that integrates it into the other information about the relevant flights? What do you guys actually do with it? ---
**Author:** ![abcd567](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/abcd567/32/113769_2.png) [@abcd567](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/abcd567)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2019, 1:29pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/2 "2019-10-01T13:29:09Z")
> [@](#): > > JANUARY 3, 2019 > > # [FEEDING THE DUMP1090 AIRCRAFT DATABASE WITH VDLM2DEC](https://www.rtl-sdr.com/feeding-the-dump1090-aircraft-database-with-vdlm2dec/) > > For ADS-B decoding, dump1090 is an RTL-SDR compatible program that is commonly used. In order to provide information about the aircraft being detected (e.g. icao24 hex address, registration/tail number and sometimes the type of aircraft like A380), dump1090 uses an offline database. Unfortunately this database has not been maintained in a very long time, so it is now out of date, and so cannot display information about many aircraft. > > Recently Thierry [had the idea to use the data from VDL2 aircraft transmissions to update his dump1090 database](https://tleconte.github.io/vlm2dec_and_dump1090.html). VDL2 is a short data messaging system used by aircraft that will eventually replace the older ACARS messaging system. With an RTL-SDR and [vdlm2dec](https://github.com/TLeconte/vdlm2dec) decoder, the VDL2 signal which broadcasts at around 136 MHz can be received and decoded. > > Contained within the data is the icao24 hex address and registration/tail number. By collecting this VDL2 data over a number of days, a new database can be generated which can then be imported into the dump1090 database. It however, doesn’t seem to acquire aircraft type data. ---
**Author:** ![technodevotee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/technodevotee/32/136901_2.png) [@technodevotee](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/technodevotee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2019, 1:33pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/3 "2019-10-01T13:33:11Z")
Yeah I read that thanks. I guess what I was asking is this: Rather than having to view different things in different places, is there a product that shows all the planes on a map and allows you to select an aircraft (how VRS and SkyView does) with VDL2 and ACARS messages relevant to that 'plane shown in the same place as all the other flight details? ---
**Author:** ![technodevotee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/technodevotee/32/136901_2.png) [@technodevotee](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/technodevotee)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2019, 9:25pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/4 "2019-10-03T21:25:25Z")
I’ve got it working in PlanePlotter but I don’t like it and don’t want to pay for it. I’ve got it working in Flight Air Map and I like it much more. It isn’t quite what I wanted but it is a (free) usable solution. A bonus is that I discovered some features that I hadn’t found before. I forgot to say: A big thankyou goes to all the contributors who have posted information here and elsewhere about setting up the various ACARS and VDL2 decoders I’ve been playing with! ---
**Author:** ![glennblum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/glennblum/32/113376_2.png) [@glennblum](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/glennblum)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2019, 11:45pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/5 "2019-10-03T23:45:52Z")
On my spare Pi3b I run ACARSDECO2 and just use the interface. I have it monitoring 4 frequencies. I was thinking of flight air maps but I had nothing but failures to get it installed. Unless there is clear concise instructions (A few here has actually had the patients to help me), I will screw it up. I heard that Flight Air Maps works well though. ---
**Author:** ![technodevotee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/technodevotee/32/136901_2.png) [@technodevotee](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/technodevotee)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 6:00am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/6 "2019-10-04T06:00:04Z")
The main issue with FlightAirMap is that it is very hard on the system. It is the ONLY thing installed on my Pi 4B Plus 4GB and it is running pretty warm and has already started to slow down. I’m happy to continue helping you get it working but I wouldn’t bother trying to run it an a lesser device. ---
**Author:** ![technodevotee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/technodevotee/32/136901_2.png) [@technodevotee](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/technodevotee)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 7:50am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/7 "2019-10-04T07:50:01Z")
Did you have any luck getting vdlm2dec talking to PlanePlotter? ---
**Author:** ![wiedehopf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/wiedehopf/32/114045_2.png) [@wiedehopf](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/wiedehopf)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 12:36pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/8 "2019-10-04T12:36:22Z")
> [@technodevotee](#): > > pretty warm and has already started to slow down. Well running any kind of load on a Pi4 without a fan is gonna lead to throttling. Or is it throttling despite a fan? ---
**Author:** ![obj](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/obj/32/118984_2.png) [@obj](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/obj)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 1:06pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/9 "2019-10-04T13:06:30Z")
> [@wiedehopf](#): > > Well running any kind of load on a Pi4 without a fan is gonna lead to throttling. Yeah, they definitely do run hot. Mine was running 35C above ambient with a bare board, no fan, no load. A case with a fan brought that down to 20C above ambient. (edit: math hard) ---
**Author:** ![SoNic67](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/sonic67/32/119872_2.png) [@SoNic67](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/SoNic67)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 1:24pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/10 "2019-10-04T13:24:06Z")
> [@obj](#): > > (edit: math hard) Just use them F degrees then 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![biekerc](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/biekerc/32/136579_2.png) [@biekerc](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/biekerc)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 1:33pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/11 "2019-10-04T13:33:30Z")
With 80mm fan blowing over the bare board from the side, and without. It is only used as a ads-b receiver, but with an airspy mini at 20 MHz. Ads-b cpu utilisation is around 50%, overall 15%. Ambient temp close to the Pi is 29 C, but it will be considerably cooler as it sits in the attic and outside it is just 12 C. Ok for now, but will definitely need the fan in summer ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/flightaware/original/3X/7/f/7f7cd105452da6ae3abd037e4c599389eba881e8.png) ---
**Author:** ![wiedehopf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/wiedehopf/32/114045_2.png) [@wiedehopf](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/wiedehopf)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 1:42pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/12 "2019-10-04T13:42:38Z")
> [@biekerc](#): > > It is just running piaware, ads-b cpu utilisation is around 50%, overall 15%. Well, you can’t call the airspy decoder “just piaware”, or is it really that? Also an 8mm fan seems very small, maybe you should upgrade? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![glennblum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/glennblum/32/113376_2.png) [@glennblum](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/glennblum)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 2:49pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/13 "2019-10-04T14:49:19Z")
No. I think that if I had set up ACARSDECO2 to no console it would work. Plus I don’t use plane plotter anymore. However, I just downloaded the newest version of Display Launcher and notice the program has a new option called DUMPVDL2 Display. I may set up one of my extra Pis for this. ---
**Author:** ![biekerc](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/biekerc/32/136579_2.png) [@biekerc](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/biekerc)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 2:55pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/14 "2019-10-04T14:55:55Z")
> [@wiedehopf](#): > > Also an 8mm fan seems very small, maybe you should upgrade? 🙂 I just did… 🙂 I really do not like to type on an iPad 🤨 ---
**Author:** ![technodevotee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/technodevotee/32/136901_2.png) [@technodevotee](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/technodevotee)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 3:05pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/15 "2019-10-04T15:05:11Z")
Some good points as always guys. It isn’t in a case yet - I was gonna get a flirc case 'cos I hate those small fans but unfortunately, they were out of stock so It was laying flat on the shelf. Measured the temp and it was running at 66 Celsius. Hadn’t considered that there was no air movement where it was so I hung it up by its cables to allow a bit of convection and it is down to 58 already. Think I’ll rig up a fan next to it until the case arrives. ---
**Author:** ![technodevotee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/technodevotee/32/136901_2.png) [@technodevotee](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/technodevotee)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 3:05pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/16 "2019-10-04T15:05:45Z")
I’ll have a look at that as well. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![wiedehopf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/wiedehopf/32/114045_2.png) [@wiedehopf](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/wiedehopf)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/17 "2019-10-04T15:12:53Z")
8 or 12 cm computer case fans on 5 V run real quiet. But you can’t put them in a case obviously. ---
**Author:** ![biekerc](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/biekerc/32/136579_2.png) [@biekerc](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/biekerc)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 3:25pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/18 "2019-10-04T15:25:35Z")
> [@technodevotee](#): > > I was gonna get a flirc case This one seems to work quite nicely, too. > **[Aluminium Heatsink Case for Raspberry Pi 4 - Pimoroni](https://shop.pimoroni.com/en-us/products/aluminium-heatsink-case-for-raspberry-pi-4?variant=29430673178707)** > > Why use a heatsink and a case, when you can use a heatsink case?! This sleek, anodised aluminium case for Raspberry Pi 4 will give you 10-15°C of passive cooling under full CPU load. Pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![glennblum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/glennblum/32/113376_2.png) [@glennblum](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/glennblum)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 3:39pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/19 "2019-10-04T15:39:53Z")
I have a small clip on fan cooling my Raspberry Pi ---
**Author:** ![technodevotee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/technodevotee/32/136901_2.png) [@technodevotee](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/technodevotee)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2019, 3:52pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661/20 "2019-10-04T15:52:04Z")
Yeah, our Living Room PC didn’t have any speed controllers for the fans and my wife kept complaining about it so I made some fan speed controllers using the innards of old car cigarette lighter phone chargers. ![A21C1D57](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/flightaware/original/3X/c/c/cca1b10c645abf847793da13c36bde602ee962c2.jpeg) Why buy new when you can repurpose is my motto. I found that 6V was a good compromise between airflow and noise. It didn’t just fix the noise from the PC either because WAF was restored. [Next page](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/acars-and-vdl2/55661.md?page=2)