Build guide: receiving station for ADS-B and AIS
With an inexpensive SDR stick and a home-made antenna you can show aircraft and ships nearby on a map. The build guide walks through parts, antenna construction and setup and includes notes on the legal situation.
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What the page does
- Parts list with SDR stick, antenna and small computer
- Antenna dimensions for 1090 MHz and 162 MHz
- Setup with free programs
- Notes on the legal situation in Austria
- More build guides and 3D-printed parts
Background
ADS-B transmissions from aircraft are on 1090 MHz, AIS transmissions from ships on 161.975 and 162.025 MHz. A quarter-wave radiator is just under 7 cm for 1090 MHz and about 46 cm for 162 MHz. Each service needs its own receiver because a stick covers only one frequency range at a time. The station only receives and never transmits.
In practice
How it works: get the parts from the list, build the antenna to the given dimensions and mount it as high and clear as possible. Connect the stick to the small computer, set up the free receiving software and open the map on your own network. Antenna height determines range far more than the stick does.
Frequently asked questions
Is reception allowed?
Reception and display on your own network are common. The guide contains notes on forwarding data to networks (not legal advice).
Which SDR stick is suitable?
A common RTL-SDR stick is enough; a 1090 MHz filter improves reception near cities.