Using your RTLSDR to decode ADSB transmissions

Chatting to Pete 2E0SQL on Twitter yesterday, I was excited to hear that he had been able to decode ADSB transmissions from aircraft using his RTLSDR dongle (you’ll recall that these are the devices which cost around a tenner). Although this is nothing new in the Linux world, it’s new to me in the Windows world.

Even better news is that it’s very simple to do.

If you already have the correct drivers from ZADIG installed, you should only need to grab the executable which is available on the SDRSHARP site

I haven’t tried this myself yet, but Pete reported that he was able to decode data and plot it, using Virtual Radar Server using just a bit of coax for an antenna!

I will give this a go over the next few days – as it sounds interesting!

Tim Kirby, G4VXE, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Oxfordshire, England. Contact him at [email protected].

Leave a Comment

Subscribe FREE to AmateurRadio.com's
Amateur Radio Newsletter
News, Opinion, Giveaways & More!

E-mail 
Join over 7,000 subscribers!
We never share your e-mail address.



Also available via RSS feed, Twitter, and Facebook.


Subscribe FREE to AmateurRadio.com's
Amateur Radio Newsletter

 
We never share your e-mail address.


Do you like to write?
Interesting project to share?
Helpful tips and ideas for other hams?

Submit an article and we will review it for publication on AmateurRadio.com!

Have a ham radio product or service?
Consider advertising on our site.

Are you a reporter covering ham radio?
Find ham radio experts for your story.

How to Set Up a Ham Radio Blog
Get started in less than 15 minutes!


  • Matt W1MST, Managing Editor




Sign up for our free
Amateur Radio Newsletter

Enter your e-mail address: