ACARS MESSAGES
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⚠ Requires separate SDR (VHF ~131 MHz)
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Start ACARS to receive aircraft datalink messages
SELECTED TARGET
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TRACKED AIRCRAFT
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ANTENNA GUIDE
▶
1090 MHz — stock SDR antenna can work but is not ideal
Stock Telescopic Antenna
- 1090 MHz: Collapse to ~6.9 cm (quarter-wave). It works for nearby aircraft
- Range: Expect ~50 NM (90 km) indoors, ~100 NM outdoors
Recommended: 1090 MHz Collinear (~$10-20 DIY)
- Design: 8 coaxial collinear elements from RG-6 coax cable
- Element length: ~6.9 cm segments soldered alternating center/shield
- Gain: ~5–7 dBi omnidirectional, ideal for 360° coverage
- Range: 150–250+ NM depending on height and LOS
Commercial Options
- FlightAware antenna: ~$35, 1090 MHz tuned, 66cm fiberglass whip
- ADSBexchange whip: ~$40, similar performance
- Jetvision A3: ~$50, high-gain 1090 MHz collinear
Placement & LNA
- Location: OUTDOORS, as high as possible. Roof or mast mount
- Height: Every 3m higher adds ~10 NM range (line-of-sight)
- LNA: 1090 MHz filtered LNA at antenna feed (e.g. Uputronics, ~$30)
- Filter: A 1090 MHz bandpass filter removes cell/FM interference
- Coax: Keep short. At 1090 MHz, RG-58 loses ~10 dB per 10m
- Bias-T: Enable Bias-T in controls above if LNA is powered via coax
Quick Reference
| ADS-B frequency | 1090 MHz |
| Quarter-wave length | 6.9 cm |
| Modulation | PPM (pulse) |
| Polarization | Vertical |
| Bandwidth | ~2 MHz |
| Typical range (outdoor) | 100–250 NM |
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