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FEBRUARY 2019

<<First Name>>,

Welcome to the FlightAware ADS-B newsletter for February 2019!

Hello from the FlightAware world headquarters in Houston, Texas.

This month we are discussing tracking aircraft that use 978 MHz UAT transponders in the United States and also how GSM interference relates to the ADS-B community outside of North America. In support of these topics, we launched two new hardware products for the ADS-B community this month! Read on for more information.

In the USA, aircraft that operate below 18,000 feet can choose to use an ADS-B solution that runs on 978 MHz called a Universal Access Transceiver or UAT.  The FAA created this option to relieve congestion on the 1090 MHz band.  Both solutions perform the same basic function, and both meet the January 1, 2020 ADS-B requirement in the USA.

There are a couple things you need to know if you want to track aircraft using 978 MHz UAT.  First, this is not a plug and play solution like the PiAware SD Card image... yet!  More to come on that topic in the next few months.  

Next, if you’re already tracking in the 1090 MHz range you will need a second USB SDR device (or other capable receiver). You will also need to use the Dump978 software and for best results an antenna that is tuned to the frequency like our recently released FlightAware 978 MHz antenna.  We only have a few of these left in stock, but have already put another order in. Do not use a 1090 MHz-only filter as that will eliminate the very signals you are looking for (this includes the Pro Stick Plus which has one built-in). The FlightAware bandpass filter sold in North America will pass both 978 and 1090 MHz.
 
The placement of your antenna is very important as the aircraft you are looking for are not allowed to operate above 18,000 feet and typically fly much lower.  As such you should not expect to see planes at the same distance you might see when using 1090 MHz.  You are also more likely to see smaller aircraft as the UAT solution is typically cheaper and thus more inviting to General Aviation. 
 
If you are interested in learning more about tracking aircraft that use 978 MHz transponders stop by FlightAware’s ADS-B Forums and chat with our experts!  Currently installing dump978 requires manual configuration so we don't recommend you try this unless you are very comfortable with Linux and customizing your Pi. We're working hard to make this an easier option and will update you soon on our progress.

And now for an issue ADS-B enthusiasts outside the USA may face: interference from GSM mobile phones.  Those of you building PiAware sites outside of North America and especially in urban areas have had difficulty with 900 MHz mobile phone interference.  Our original FlightAware bandpass filter is not great at blocking those signals, however we recently launched a 1090 MHz-only bandpass filter which is available from ModMyPi and Moonraker.  This filter has a much more narrow pass band frequency range of 1080-1100 MHz.  If you are located near a mobile tower, or just are not seeing the results you expect, then a 1090 MHz-only filter might be a low-cost solution. 

Please note: FlightFeeder users should NOT install a filter and only use equipment provided by us in the kit.
 
 
Check out our latest coverage map, showing ADS-B in green and MLAT in yellow:
You can always view the latest coverage map on our web site. Do you want to see better coverage, including more MLAT? Recruit a friend to host a FlightFeeder or PiAware at their location! Tell them to check out our web site for all of the details.

As a data feeder to our network, you get several benefits!

One important benefit is the free FlightAware Enterprise account (click to see details of what this includes)! When your data feed is active and connected to FlightAware, your account is automatically upgraded to Enterprise access (USD 89.95 per month value).

Thank you for being a member of our ADS-B network. You provide valuable flight tracking information to the FlightAware network that helps us keep air transportation safe and efficient.
 

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