Real-time virtual radar

[dwshimoda]

Okay,

rightly or wrongly people listen in to the frequencies we use, and I'm aware of the debates about the legality of this.

What do people think to the below, which was just in an email I receive from Transair? Surely this is a bit extreme for spotters, and must surely have some implications security wise? It's available to anyone, and for £499.99:


The SBS-1 is a Mode-S/ADS-B receiver that allows users to detect and track transmitting aircraft at ranges of up to 250 miles.Combining state-of-the-art electronics and new technological advances has enabled Kinetic Avionic Products Limited to produce the revolutionary SBS-1. For the first time aircraft enthusiasts worldwide are able to directly monitor the skies in an unprecedented fashion. Additionally, the SBS-1 provides small and medium sized airfields with many of the safety and operational benefits previously only available to large international airports - at a fraction of current radar costs. Coupled with a Mode-S/ADS-B transponder the SBS-1 becomes an invaluable tool in flight training operations.
Key Product Features:
Track Mode-S/ADS-B equipped aircraft in real time*
An invaluable tool for aircraft enthusiasts
Enhances operational efficiency at airfields
Easy to install, portable and lightweight
Real-Time aircraft position and identity data Connect to laptop/desktop PC via USB or Ethernet Powerful SBS-1 Basestation software included
Package includes all necessary components to connect to your PC

The SBS-1 ships with the SBS-1 Basestation application providing an on-screen virtual radar display. This powerful application provides functionality including the identification of aircraft by callsign, altitude, speed and other parameters where such information is transmitted. SBS-1 Basestation provides the ability to assign notes with history to each aircraft as well as image data. The note files are stored in a standard XML format to facilitate easy information interchange with colleagues and friends.

Mode S is a Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) technique with a selective interrogation of aircraft with its unique 24-bit worldwide address. This enables a unique identification of aircraft removing the risk of confusion due to overlapping signals.
Mode S operates in the same Radio Frequency (1030-1090 MHz) band as conventional SSR systems.
Mode-S employs airborne transponders to provide altitude and identification data, with ADS-B broadcasts are available to pilots and air traffic controllers The position and identification data supplied by Mode S/ADS-B broadcasts are available to pilots and air traffic controllers.
Mode S/ADS-B data updates rapidly, is very accurate and provides pilots and air traffic controllers with common air situational awareness for enhanced safety, capacity and efficiency. Further, It can provide a cost-effective solution for surveillance coverage in non-radar airspace. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requires aircraft to be Mode S equipped for flights operating as General Air Traffic (GAT) in designated UK airspace from March 2005 and for all categories of flights in all other airspace from March 2008.

[Dave Gittins]

Virtual Radar

Is this a wholly passive system relying simply on mode S transmissions or does it transmit to interrogate ???

I would have thought that if it transmits, it needs to be licensed.

If it does I can't see the CAA going a bunch over me setting up Newdigate Radar, 5 miles from Gatwick.

DGG

[clicker]

No, its a passive system. Picks up signals from the aircraft and decodes the info.

As its radio based take the range with a pitch of salt as it will depend on line of sight and buildings etc.

http://www.kinetic-avionics.co.uk/ is the makers site.

Rgds Ron

[ETOPS]

Clicker

As its radio based take the range with a pitch of salt as it will depend on line of sight and buildings etc.

Not a factor. As you said yourself........

Picks up signals from the aircraft and decodes the info.

Mode S signals include positional data.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I have seen the equipment demonstrated and it is quite remarkable. As it can only display information received from Mode S transponders so what it shows is limited - at present anyway. However, by decoding position information from Mode S transponders it does present a picture similar to a radar display with targets moving realistically.

Using one in the UK it would almost certainly contravene the Wireless Telegraphy Act because it is a radio receiver which Joe Public cannot obtain authority to use.

[bookworm]

Mode S signals include positional data.

Some of them do. Elementary Mode S does not, and position is not a required downlink parameter for Enhanced Mode S.

That means that while

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requires aircraft to be Mode S equipped for flights operating as General Air Traffic (GAT) in designated UK airspace from March 2005 and for all categories of flights in all other airspace from March 2008.

is strictly speaking accurate, it's rather misleading, as the SBS-1 will allow you to track only those aircraft configured to squitter their position (what are described as Mode-S/ADS-B equipped aircraft).

[incubus]

Using one in the UK it would almost certainly contravene the Wireless Telegraphy Act because it is a radio receiver which Joe Public cannot obtain authority to use.

That would depend on whether the Mode S transmissions were classed as a public broadcast.

[Groundloop]

"including the identification of aircraft by callsign"

But surely all it would receive would be the 4-digit transponder code being transmitted by the aircraft. How would it know which flight had been allocated that code?

[Dusty_B]

Because Mode S data includes aircraft registration and/or flight plan identification.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

<That would depend on whether the Mode S transmissions were classed as a public broadcast.>

Extremely unlikely, don't you think?

[Genghis the Engineer]

Aren't ADS-B and mode-S different?

G

[MrBitsy]

Virtual Radar.

For the last 25 years I have used a scanner to listen in to ATC broadcasts, leading me to go for the PPL. I fly out to Florida in 8 weeks for a three week course.

I have the SBS1 on order to add to the enjoyment of ATC in the UK. For years I have always wanted somthing like a virtual radar to actually see what I was hearing. I am not a "spotter" as I am not interested in aircraft photos or registrations - just an interest in the ATC system.

I have an ATC simulator that simulates all UK sectors extremely well - http://londoncontrol.com/ and the SBS1 system will greatly aid in the enjoyment of that software. My years of listening in to ATC have certainly helped my understanding of the airspace and procedures - all very usefull when I get my PPL.

I do understand ATC being a little worried by this - already some twit has posted what he believed to be two RyanAir aircraft too close on the ILS for 23 at Stanstead. Its always the same - the few upsetting it all for the majority who are just interested. I wouldn't agree it is "too extreme" for responsible people who just want to enjoy a hobby.

What about you pilots - wouldn't some of you may like to see it from the other side?

[tilewood]

I too have an SBS1 on order. I worked in ATC for many years as well as airline operations and management.

I have monitored ATC transmissions since the 1960's as a
professional interest and this bit of kit will add greatly to my enjoyment.

I am told that any would-be purchasers on passing over their
names and addresses are security checked before the equipment
is finally delivered. If that is in fact true I do not know.

[radeng]

Although theoretically illegal in the UK, the facts is that there aren't anywhere near enough Ofcom people to do anything about it unless it's used very obviously in a public place where someone can (and will) complain.

Mode S responses are not 'broadcasts' under the Radio Regulations.

[rfman]

Responses are not broadcasts, but unsolicited squitters, are !!

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

<<Mode S responses are not 'broadcasts' under the Radio Regulations.>>

I'd be glad to have the reference where this stated, plaease. A Mode S response is just as much a transmission as a message from a police car and I doubt very much if the authorities would view it otherwise.