Regardless of which antenna you choose, placement of the antenna is key. ADS-B radio signals are "line of sight" which means that the antenna ideally needs a clear path through the sky to "see" the transmitting aircraft. The best placement, whenever possible, is outside on a roof or mast with no surrounding obstructions. Obstructions can be anything from a tree to another building or a mountain. We realize that outdoor installations are not always feasible for everyone so if this not an option for you then the next best installation is on the inside of a window.
With a 1090 MHz antenna and good placement, you will generally be able to receive high-flying planes at 200 miles away or more! Because of the "line of sight" rule, the range for receiving low-flying planes will be lower. You can check your current reception range by clicking on the "My ADS-B" link at the top of any page on flightaware.com and scrolling down to the "Coverage Distribution" section.
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