Jan 27 13:21:32 piaware sudo[2102]: pam_unix(sudo:session): session closed for user root
Jan 27 13:21:32 piaware piaware[1113]: Starting multilateration client: /usr/lib/piaware/helpers/fa-mlat-client --input-connect localhost:30005 --input-type dump1090 --results
Jan 27 13:21:33 piaware piaware[1113]: mlat-client(2110): fa-mlat-client 0.2.10 starting up
Jan 27 13:21:33 piaware piaware[1113]: mlat-client(2110): Using UDP transport to xy.42.6.191 port 5624
Jan 27 13:21:33 piaware piaware[1113]: mlat-client(2110): Listening for Beast-format results connection on port 30105
Jan 27 13:21:33 piaware piaware[1113]: mlat-client(2110): Listening for Extended Basestation-format results connection on port 30106
Jan 27 13:21:33 piaware piaware[1113]: mlat-client(2110): Input connected to localhost:30005
Jan 27 13:21:33 piaware piaware[1113]: mlat-client(2110): Input format changed to BEAST, 12MHz clock
Jan 27 13:21:33 piaware piaware[1113]: mlat-client(2110): Beast-format results connection with ::1:30104: connection established
Jan 27 13:24:59 piaware piaware[1113]: 4 msgs recv’d from dump1090-fa (1 in last 5m); 4 msgs sent to FlightAware
Apparently it can tune to 1090 MHz, the performance is just very very very bad. Comment on reddit:
After poking around Google for a few, it looks as if the FC0013 tuner is absolutely horrid at 1090Mhz reception, compared to a R820T one review shows it only being able to receive ~3 messages per second vs ~30 with a R820T and it also seems to have a lot of gain and noise problems, UHF especially.
That explains the very few messages you do seem to get, but you will never have good reception with that dongle.
In other words: get another dongle that works.
Another dongle option, AirNav sell a pretty cheap receiver with an amplifier/filter, nothing special but probably a bit better than those generic dongles.
The rtlsdr-blog dongle and 1090 lna - combo has worked very well for me. That is in combination with the FA antenna.
Although I dont need any more dongles (have enough spare ones), out of curiocity I ordered it last week.
As the stock at Amazon has finished, I had to order it directly from Radarbox24. Lost the advantage of Amazon Prime, had to pay $4.99 shipping in addition to $9.95 price. Two weeks delivery period by Royal Mail. Still waiting delivery.
Well I just got mine, shipped from Milton Keynes. All I can say right now, it is quite small compared to the FA dongles, very green and has a bright white led.
I mentioned it because the FA dongles are not sold via amazon in Europe and therefore rather expensive, eg the orange dongle costs 27$ + pp, the blue one 33$ + pp at an online retailer based in Germany.
These were my comments as well, but only by seeing dongle’s photo. Still awaiting delivery by Royal Mail (if Royal Mail is UK postal service, then my dongle is also shipped from UK)
Ordered a RadarBox Flightstick. Just a few days for delivery. Comes in a very BIG box so will not fit through a UK letter box.
Initial impression is that it certainly more sensitive than an older RTL-SDR dongle. No time to do a direct comparison but for $9-95 plus $4-99 postage seems worth trying (=£12-04). Does run hot so maybe will not last long.