Maximum distance for airport ground coverage?

[gavin323]

I’m around 4 miles from my local regional airport which has a fair bit of adsb traffic, but I can’t below the end of the runway with my loft mounted radarbox antenna https://www.amazon.co.uk/AirNav-ADS-B-Outdoor-antenna-connector/dp/B07K7YW1XJ/ref=d_pd_sbs_sccl_2_7/261-5421200-0753445?pd_rd_w=K28Eu&content-id=amzn1.sym.3c43869a-89e8-4710-9992-f2840aad13e1&pf_rd_p=3c43869a-89e8-4710-9992-f2840aad13e1&pf_rd_r=W8HCMY92WWWKD5DN0947&pd_rd_wg=a6Bus&pd_rd_r=ae3f4df0-3976-46e8-b67a-dc1d3c088037&pd_rd_i=B07K7YW1XJ&psc=1

What’s the maximum sort of range you can realistically be for ground coverage?

[dongerrard204]

Its related to the local reception characteristics ( noise/ interference) , your antenna height AGL, line of sight, and your gain settings.

Of your antenna is too low, not having “line of sight” to airport, or obstructions ( buildings, hills, trees) blocking, then no ground abs-b messages.
Other issue - your gain set high, optimuzed for more distant aircraft. Then close by aircraft ads-b messages may be lost due to the excessive gain .

In my case, antenna @ around 45’ AGL, gain set per my situation and preferences and at this moment i can see UPS495 sitting on apron @ CYWG 13.5NM away.

[b1n9]

I can get some airports at 50 miles away. Should note my antenna is 200 feet above ground level in a flat area.