Firstly, can we discuss ADS-C here (perhaps in a new sub forum) - does this meet the goals / intentions of FlightAware?
If so, I’d be very interested in discussing and building an ADS-C receiever for use with INMARSAT - from what I’ve read, this uses INMARSAT birds to recieve aircraft positions etc over satellite? Removes the limitation of “radio coverage / distance” , and could perhaps still feed into and meet FA’s plane-plotting goals?
So - this is very very possible and has indeed been done - however, it’s not for the faint of heart.
The small dish with the little GPS antenna he’s pictured on the site can indeed decode L-Band signals, which are used for the ground-to-aircraft link,
However: the Air-to-Ground link containing the coveted positioning data operates on the C-Band 3600 MHz - 3629 MHz using 10.5 kbps burst packets sent via A-QPSK
What does that mean for you?
Well - decoding these signals with a discarded DirecTV dish and an RTL dongle isn’t going to happen. Here’s the dish he uses:
The link you posted has all the code you’ll need, but to recieve it properly one needs a 3m dish, a PLL LNB, and a pretty high quality SDR. (he’s using an SDRplay)
So, with Time, Space for the Dish itself, and about $400 you too can pick up ADS-C.
Some of the members of Planeplotter user Group are already running dishes with Jaero and feeding inmarsat acars positioning data in to the Planeplotter system.
You will find a group of pp members who share their ideas and techniques link below
@JonHanford - hmmm, the A2G comms like that might have to wait till a future phase…
(DOnt know how chuffed my GF would be with a 3m dish in the garden ).
I do, however, understand re the freq range etc of the rtl vs what’s needed.
Drive through just about any rural area of any U.S. state. Find a mobile home sitting in the middle of a field. Chances are good that an old C-Band dish is sitting next to it. Make an offer. Beware of dog.
The guys at Planeplotter await their first dish downloaders from the USA or Central Europe to subscribe /set up and begin feeding .
A 1.2mtr or 1.8mtr dish will get signals from Inmarsat/Alphasat service.
