I’m currently in the process of optimizing my ADS-B flight tracking setup. Before I start this I’d like to see if you guys can spot specific optimizations in my setup.
My current setup:
[antenna] --(10m 50ohm cable)-- [FlightAware 1090 MHz ADS-B Bandpass SMA Filter] - [FlightAware Pro Stick Plus] - [Raspberry Pi 3]
The cable runs through a duct besides a power cable (230V). In addition to that it’s 10 meters, which is quite long imho.
I’m specifically wondering if reducing the cable length to say 1-2m and placing the Raspberry Pi close by will help with reception. This also means the cable will not be running besides a powerline (230V).
Requires power delivery via the coax: a bias-t.
Either external or builtin (rtl-sdr blog v3 dongle has builtin bias-t)
This LNA could be mounted in the box where you are proposing to put your RPi.
(it would likely even be an improvement mounting it in the current location due to the better filtering with less attenuation in front of the LNA and double stage LNA/SAW filter design)
It’s convenient because it can supply power to the LNA.
Might be very slightly better, hard to say.
It’s perfectly feasible using the rtl-sdr LNA with an external bias-t and the pro stick plus.
Gain then needs to be set around 10 probably because of all the amplification.
But it’s been done successfully.
The external bias-t can be powered from the 5V on the RPi.
So i’d try 43.4 and 43.9 to be honest.
But the difference to a gain of 40 in regards to message count will probably be low.
(also the range difference will probably be negligible)
Hard to say how much improvement can be achieved by an LNA.
