instructables

SMART MAKE HATC - Homemade Air Traffic Control With 4x RTL-SDR (50$)

by GiamMa-based researchers

Proof of concept of low cost HATC - Homemade Air Traffic Control

Below is a simply collection of information on air traffic reception, a link of some software to be used and a
proposal for proof of concept hardware system.

Step 1: Proof of Concept Hardware System

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Step 2: Equipment

- 4x RTL-SDR (one of the sdr must be changed at the software or hardware level to correctly receive the HF
frequencies)

- 1x UHF antenna

- 1x AM Loop antenna

- 2x VHF antenna

- computer or raspberry (Many OS are supported like Windows, Ubuntu, Debian, iOS and others)

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Step 3: High Frequency Data Link (HFDL)

HF tuned to USB on frequency 6.532 Mhz - ACARSD

Other frequencies reported in image - The most current version of PC-HFDL can be found
at the HFDL Yahoo group
Hobby Level Software
- PlanePlotter (Not a decoder but will show aircraft
- MultiPSK (restricted to 5 minutes in the non- decoded by PC-HFDL)
registered version)

- Sigmira Sigidwiki (with more software):

- Sorcerer https://www.sigidwiki.com/wiki/High_Frequency_Data
_Link_(HFDL)
Note: It has been recently discussed on the UDXF (at
groups.io) that Sorcerer is using an old freq/site list -
you may get correct decodes, but not correct site IDs

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Step 4: Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS)

VHF tuned to AM on frequency 131.725 Mhz - rtl_acars_ng

(software ACARSD)
- ACARSD
Other frequencies reported in image
- PlanePlotter (Free to use for 21 days)
Hobby Level Software
- AcarsDeco2
- MultiMode Cocoa (Mac OS X)
Sigidwiki (with more software):
- MultiPSK (Unlicenced only allows 5 minutes
decoding at a time) https://www.sigidwiki.com/wiki/Aircraft_Communicatio
ns_Addressing_and_Reporting_System_(ACARS)
- Acarsdec

- Sorcerer

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Step 5: VHF Data Link - Mode 2 (VDL-M2)

VHF tuned to AM on frequency 136.975 Mhz

Other frequencies reported in image

Hobby Level Software

- MultiPSK

- dumpvdl2

- vdlm2dec

Sigidwiki (with more software):

https://www.sigidwiki.com/wiki/VHF_Data_Link_-_Mode_2_(VDL-M2)

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Step 6: Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)

VHF tuned to PPM on frequency 136.975 Mhz

Other frequencies reported in image

Hobby Level Software

- MultiPSK

- ADSBSharp (Usage with RTL-SDR Dongles)

- Dump1090

- RTL1090

Sigidwiki (with more software):

https://www.sigidwiki.com/wiki/Automatic_Dependent_Surveillance-Broadcast_(ADS-B)

Step 7: Conclusion

After having carried out several tests and tests of
some software reported in my online channels I
wanted to consolidate a simple but effective idea of
building a multiple receiver of air traffic messages.
Many of the software listed in the list support data
streaming via web server, ip, tcp, udp, json, mqtt and
others that you can connect to different statistical,
collecting, viewing on the map and more software.
If you are looking for how to install the Linux software
I suggest you to search through my publications the
procedures defined "SMART INSTALL" and use them
to install the desired software.

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