So I’ve been meaning to post this for a while (I built this rig in October of 2015). Anyway, check out my setup!
Note: I will be upgrading the RTL-SDR dongle to the FlightAware Pro stick next week.
Goals
- Provide Long-Range ADS-B Tracking using a Raspberry Pi
Deploy system in outdoor capable case
Power using Power Over Ethernet (PoE)
Parts List
- [Raspberry Pi 2 (RPi2) Model B (CanaKit Complete)](http://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Complete-Starter-9-Items/dp/B008XVAVAW)
- [NooElec RTL-SDR USB Stick (TRL2832U & R820T)](http://www.amazon.com/NooElec-RTL-SDR-RTL2832U-Software-Packages/dp/B008S7AVTC)
- [RTL-SDR MCX Adapter Bundle](http://www.amazon.com/RTL-SDR-Blog-Pigtail-Adapters-Bundle/dp/B00RF15070)
- [Aluminum Enclosure Kit for RTL-SDR](http://www.amazon.com/Extruded-Aluminum-Enclosure-Silver-RTL-SDRs/dp/B00NZ2LE82)
- [TP-LINK TL-POE200 Power over Ethernet Adapter Kit](http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-POE200-Ethernet-Injector-Splitter/dp/B004UBUB7C)
- [5.5mm x 2.1mm Female to Micro-USB Male Adapter](http://www.amazon.com/Super-Power-Supply%C2%AE-5-5x2-1mm-2-1xmm/dp/B00S6N5I64)
- [Orbit Outdoor Timer Box](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Orbit-Outdoor-Timer-Box-57095/100158884?keyword=046878570955)
- [Winegard DS-2000 Antenna Mount](http://www.amazon.com/Winegard-DS-2000-Universal-Antennas-Diameter/dp/B00068YUN4)
And you have your mounting pipe bolted into the shoe backwards. Flip that baby 180 and you will be able to adjust the mounting leg to vertical and actually bolt the pipe clamp on properly. Otherwise, a cool looking kit!
I like the Orbit box. May have to try that one for the next project. It looks like it’s big enough to house a bunch more gear, maybe a secondary receiver and splitter, etc. I am concerned about the screws right through the shingles and the coax hole. You may have a potential roof leak in a bad spot to have that. Antenna should not be impinged upon by the mast if at all possible. At 1090MHz, a metal stub right next to the base can possibly affect the pattern. Good start!
So I actually bought the mounting pole for a different project and didn’t end up needing it. The bolt clamp that came with the antenna isn’t the right size for the mount and that’s the only position I could get it to point vertically to the sky. Next time around I will get the proper mounting pipe (rather than use a leftover).
So there was a Hughes/USB satellite dish up there (from 1995) that we obviously don’t use anymore. I was able to reuse the existing holes from that base for this mount (it’s anchored with some plate on the inside of the roof I’ve never seen before), hence why I wanted to stick with using coax. Hasn’t been a problem for the last 20 years so I’m not too worried about switching it to this antenna. Unless there’s something I’m missing. Any feedback is welcome!
Thanks for the feedback. Orbit box totally has room for more. I think my next project for this kit will be to add a GPS device for a Stratum 1 NTP source (I already have this running on another Pi, just want to consolodate) and might eventually add a weather station.
For the antenna, I totally understand but again was working with leftover gear from another project. Maybe when the weather permits, I will climb back up there and see if there’s any way to readjust. I’ll climb up to the attic to check on the leak issue but since there was something there before I’m not too concerned. I’ll report back what I find.
Thanks again!
Cool setup, first of all! I was just wondering, I see you taped off(?) the connection between the FA antenna and the Coax.
I have the same antenna and figuring it was classified as an outdoor antenna, so I didn’t seal of this connection in any way.
So do you or does anyone know if this seal makes a difference in the long term on the state of the outdoor components?
Thanks!
