FR24 ADS-B equipment

[AeroSpark]

Looking at FR24 if you feed data into the system you get a top level subscription as a thank you. I'm quite interested in looking into this but haven't really got a clue what I'm looking for. Looking on fleabay there are loads of different bits of kit ranging from teh very cheap to the crazily expensive. What would I need as a bare minimum to get this up and running? Thanks.

[duinsel]

My feed and subscription are powered by this receiver (http://www.dx.com/p/rtl2832u-r820t-mini-dvb-t-dab-fm-usb-digital-tv-dongle-black-170541#.WNgZsoVOJPY)
which I would classify as cheap. It is coupled to a raspberry Pi as I don't keep my computer on 24/7. The guides tend to be OK to set you up, but it might take an afternoon to figure it all out, so be prepared to invest that time (or spend more cash on some shrinkwrapped product that is easier to set up).

[El Bunto]

Absolute basic:

1. RTL dongle, there are a couple of subtypes but either will do for line-of-sight ADS-B. About £12 for a standard one or thrice that for an 'airband tuned' one like Flightaware do.

2. Decent 1090 MHz antenna, about £15 - 25. Worth spending money on this bit.

3. Good-quality, long, active-USB cable ( £10+ ) to connect to the dongle and antenna from...

4. A PC that can run 24/7. FR24 don't like intermittent feeds and your subscription will be suspended if you're only feeding now and then.

Extras you can add after than include dedicated bandpass filters. If you're just interested in feeding then that'll get you started.

The 'dedicated' enthusiast-market ADS-B receivers might offer a bit more sensitivity but sharing communities such as 360Radar and ADSB Exchange are a better bet if you want wide coverage; might as well use the feed from someone that's closer instead of spending another £500 trying to squeeze-out a bit more gain.

[AeroSpark]

Thankks guys:ok:

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I'd go for FR or Plane Finder. I have ADS-B but its an expensive luxury nowadays with much more info available on the internet - FREE!

[El Bunto]

FR24 and Planefiner are fine if you're happy to put up with their blocking-lists and hidden aircraft. However many enthusiasts prefer to know exactly what's flying over them, or to monitor their local airfield, or just to contribute to the general level of information on the Internet. For which £60 or £100 isn't an inordinate expenditure.

In terms of most hobbies that's a bargain. One eyepiece for an astronomer's telescope costs more than that and it wouldn't even be a downpayment on a modern camera lens.

[Groundloop]

Well, I may as well be the boring old f*rt and say it!

If you provide this service from the UK you are actually breaking the law. Be careful. Just because lots of people have got away with until now who knows what might happen in the future.

[DaveReidUK]

If you provide this service from the UK you are actually breaking the law.

What law are you breaking ?

[Groundloop]

What law are you breaking ?

Would you be the same Dave Reid who posted this on another website?

A licence is not required for a radio receiver as long as it is not capable of transmission as well (The Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus (Receivers) (Exemption) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989 No 123). The exception to this is that it is an offence to listen to unlicensed broadcasters (pirates) without a licence. Licences are not issued for this purpose.

Although it is not illegal to sell, buy or own a scanning or other receiver in the UK, it must only be used to listen to transmissions meant for GENERAL RECEPTION. The services that you can listen to include Amateur and Citizens' Band transmissions, licensed broadcast radio and weather and navigation broadcasts.

It is an offence to listen to any other radio services unless you are authorised by a designated person to do so.

There are two offences under law:

Under Section 5(1)(b) of the WT Act 1949 it is an offence if a person "otherwise than under the authority of a designated person,

either:

(i) uses any wireless telegraphy apparatus with intent to obtain information as to the contents, sender or addressee of any message whether sent by means of wireless telegraphy or not, of which neither the person using the apparatus nor a person on whose behalf he is acting is an intended recipient;

This means that it is illegal to listen to anything other than general reception transmissions unless you are either a licensed user of the frequencies in question or have been specifically authorised to do so by a designated person. A designated person means:

the Secretary of State;
the Commissioners of Customs and Excise; or
any other person designated for the purpose by regulations made by the Secretary of State.
or:

(ii) except in the course of legal proceedings or for the purpose of any report thereof, discloses any information as to the contents, sender or addressee of any such message, being information which would not have come to his knowledge but for the use of wireless telegraphy apparatus by him or by another person."

This means that it is also illegal to tell a third party what you have heard.

With certain exceptions, it is an offence under Section 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 for a person - "intentionally and without lawful authority to intercept, at any place in the United Kingdom, any communication in the course of its transmission by means of:

a public postal service; or
a public telecommunication system."
It is similarly an offence to intercept any communication in the course of its transmission by means of a private telecommunication system.

This means that it is illegal to listen to telephone calls, including mobile phone networks which are designated as forming part of the public telecommunications system.

Common questions answered

Q. Am I breaking the law by owning a scanner?

A. No, but it is illegal to use one to listen to frequencies other than general reception transmissions or those parts of the radio spectrum which your transmitting licence, if you have one, allows you to use. You could be prosecuted for this.

Q. Can I get a licence to use a scanner?

A. No, there is no scanner licence.

Q. Could I get authority to listen to emergency service transmissions, for example? I am interested and might be able to help.

A. No, authority is reserved for people acting under statutory authority. If you wish to listen in to messages, you should obtain the permission of the person sending them.

Q. Isn't it all right to listen as long as I don't pass on what I hear?

A. No, using radio equipment to listen in, except as provided by section 5(1)(b) of the WT Act, is an offence, regardless of whether the information is passed on.

Q. Isn't this all a bit heavy?

A. No. No-one likes their private or business conversations to be listened to. Parliament has passed these laws to protect the privacy of radio users.

If you require more information on the law regarding receive-only radio and scanners, please write to:

RA3/Enforcement Policy Unit,
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London
E14 9SX

(end quote)


ADS-B transmissions are not "general reception transmissions" so come under these regulations as well.

[DaveReidUK]

Would you be the same Dave Reid who posted this on another website?

ADS-B transmissions are not "general reception transmissions" so come under these regulations as well.

Yes, I know what the WTA says.

However given that the WTA 2006 predates and takes no account of the widespread availability of ADS-B receivers, and that the "B" in ADS-B stands for Broadcast, it's a moot point as to whether such transmissions do or don't fall within the category of "navigation broadcasts" (which you are allowed to listen to).

Until that's tested in court (and don't hold your breath for that) it's impossible to be sure either way.