Low cost ADS-B ground station?
In Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority introduced the most expensive and restrictive ADS-B mandate in the world. In our country, all commercial aircraft that fly IFR must have 1090ES ADS-B out.
Unfortunately, we only have a handful of ADS-B stations in the whole country. This gives coverage above 30,000' but not at many airports, where coverage to low level would enhance safety.
One of the reasons given in Australia is that ADS-B ground stations are too expensive. Can anyone help me on giving advice on the lowest cost ADS-B certified ground station that would be available?
In many cases our airports have fibre optics or microwave nearby, so communication costs back to the ATC Centre for the data should not be high.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Dick Smith
PS: I am a former Chairman of both the Civil Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in Australia. My interest is in improving safety and participation levels in Australian aviation.