How to build an ADS-B Radar Station

Building an ADS-B radar station using a Raspberry Pi and a FlightAware Pro receiver stick is quite simple, and it requires only a few components and some straightforward setup. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Components You Need

1. Raspberry Pi (preferably a Raspberry Pi 3, 4, or Zero with internet access)
2. FlightAware Pro Stick Plus (USB ADS-B receiver, includes built-in filter and amplifier)
3. Antenna (usually comes with the FlightAware Pro Stick or can be homebrewed for better range)
4. Power supply for Raspberry Pi (minimum 2.5A)
5. MicroSD card (16GB or more, with Raspberry Pi OS or PiAware image)
6. Internet connection (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet for feeding data to FlightAware)
7. Case (optional, for protecting the Raspberry Pi)

Steps to Build Your ADS-B Radar Station

1. Prepare the Raspberry Pi

• Download the official Raspberry Pi OS or directly download the PiAware image from FlightAware.
• Burn the image onto your microSD card using a tool like Balena Etcher or Raspberry Pi Imager.
• Insert the SD card into your Raspberry Pi.

2. Connect the FlightAware Pro Stick

• Plug the FlightAware Pro Stick Plus into one of the USB ports on the Raspberry Pi.
• Connect the supplied or a more advanced antenna to the Pro Stick.
• If using a better antenna, consider mounting it outside or higher for better reception.

3. Set Up PiAware (FlightAware’s Software)

• If you used the PiAware image, the software will be pre-installed. If not, you can install it by running these commands after booting the Raspberry Pi:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install piaware
sudo apt install dump1090-fa

4. Configure PiAware

• During the first boot, PiAware will attempt to connect to the internet and start collecting ADS-B signals.
• To link your PiAware to your FlightAware account, visit the FlightAware website and follow the instructions for claiming your PiAware device. You can claim the device by entering your feeder ID.
• Optionally, you can modify the configuration file to fine-tune the setup. Access it using:

sudo nano /etc/piaware.conf

5. Feed Data to FlightAware

• Once configured, your station will automatically feed ADS-B data to FlightAware. You can monitor your station’s performance on your FlightAware dashboard, including the number of planes tracked and your ranking in the network.
• You can also access the local ADS-B data directly by visiting the Raspberry Pi’s IP address in a browser:

http://<your-raspberry-pi-ip>/skyaware/

6. Optional Enhancements

• Better Antenna: For greater range, you might want to use a higher-gain external antenna.
• Filter: If you’re in an area with a lot of RF noise, adding an external filter can improve the performance.
• Amplifier: While the FlightAware Pro Stick Plus already has one built-in, some may choose to use an additional one to boost reception further.

Benefits of Using FlightAware Pro Stick Plus

• Plug-and-play: No need for additional filters or amplifiers.
• Low-cost: The stick is inexpensive, and combined with the Raspberry Pi, it creates a powerful yet affordable ADS-B receiver station.
• Great range: With a good antenna, you can expect to receive signals from aircraft hundreds of kilometers away.
• Access to PiAware Network: You’ll contribute to the FlightAware network, gaining access to global ADS-B data and a personalized dashboard.

Conclusion

Setting up an ADS-B radar station with a Raspberry Pi and FlightAware Pro Stick is an easy and rewarding project. In just a few hours, you’ll be receiving real-time data from aircraft and contributing to a global tracking network!