FlightAware Aircraft Tracking on 1090 Mhz - Improving the range

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 The FlightAware setup that I received from my good friend Pat W1DUK recently has been performing really well with the "Cantenna" 1/4 wave vertical antenna for 1090MHz. The set up comprises of a raspberry Pi with a FlightAware SD card and a FlightAware SDR USB Dongle, into a 1090 Mhz Antenna.

Today I was up early and with a freshly fabricated bracket I managed to clip the Cantenna up high in the sky on the top of the mast. The reception footprint has now become up to 200 miles and possibly further with a greatly improved omni-directional pattern. I am in the first couple of hours of testing and have seen the number of aircraft increasing from an average of 10 to 20 + aircraft at once being tracked. A great success so far!


A screen capture taken with my first go using the "Cantenna" 1/4 wave vertical mounted in the top window inside the house


A screen capture of much improved activity and reception range taken with the "Cantenna" 1/4 wave vertical mounted outside on the mast top.


The receive footprint screen capture taken with the "Cantenna" 1/4 wave vertical mounted in the top window inside the house - Range map.


A much improved footprint on this screen capture taken with the "Cantenna" 1/4 wave vertical mounted outside on the mast top -Range Map

Hope you found this interesting! Its great fun to do and relatively low cost! Once again Thank You Pat W1DUK and the guys and girls at Ham Radio Outlet for this awesome gift! I have really enjoyed trying it out and providing the feedback and will continue to play! 73 All.


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