I have considered starting an ADS-B feeder project for 3-4 years, but FA denied my request so the project just died. I am now back to thinking again, after being pointed towards ADS-B Exchange. I have an Arduino (sitting in closet) that I never found a project for and I have a couple of extra 64bit desktop PC's that haven't found a project yet, so either of them could be some flavor of Linux or Windows. I do not currently have a PI. I have confirmed that my community is inside the doughnut on ADS-Bx coverage here, as anything getting within 5NM has to be at least 1,500 feet, anything lower and it doesn't get seen. So that doughnut hole must be large. I have not decided on a receiver yet, but am leaning towards the blue FA Pro+, since it does have both an amp and band pass filter. Of the 4 types of processors, what are the pros and cons of each? Thanks Travis, KB5ILY
Arduino just wouldn't work, there is no software for it. It also lacks the processing power to work with a software defined receiver (SDR). Any old laptop or PC with any debian / ubuntu flavor will work fine. I'd recommend installing lubuntu, it's fast and will work nicely: https://lubuntu.net/ An RPi will consume much less electricity and isn't too expensive to buy. I'd suggest you calculate the break even for your electricity prices. Depends a lot on how much power the PC would use. Once you have lubuntu installed, just continue with point 2 in this guide (don't mind it being called Raspbian): https://github.com/wiedehopf/adsb-wiki/wiki/Raspbian-Lite:-ADS-B-receiver As mentioned in the guide, use readsb and not dump1090-fa as the 2nd one installs from a package and there are none available for x86. readsb on the other hand will be automatically compiled and will work. The FA Pro+ is a good choice when available. In some instance it can overload from interference because the filter is actually behind the amplifier, then an additional external filter is necessary to get optimum performance.
Would the orange/yellow FA Pro(non+) be a better option ($4-5 cheaper than the +)? If I were to go with a Pi3B+, what would I need (on the Pi side of it) in addition to the Pi itself, proper power supply and a case? Does the Pi3B+ have network connectivity or would I need to add a hat?
No the blue pro+ is clearly the superior option for ADS-B. I mean ... you can just look up the specs for the 3B+ ... pi4 might be easier to find and might not be more expensive but the 3 runs cooler. The Raspberry Original power supply is strongly recommended. It needs an sd-card. The 3B+ as well as the 4 can do LAN and WiFi, the 3B+ can already do 5 Ghz WiFi i believe. Are you also looking for an antenna and coax? https://github.com/wiedehopf/adsb-wiki/wiki/adsb-receiver-shopping-list
Hopefully by Saturday of next week I will get to start looking at things, a Pi3B+, clear case, power supply and 16GB memory card, along with a blue FA Pro+ have been ordered. I have an antenna that I can use during initial setup, at some point I will probably order the 1090 & 978 dual-band antenna from ADS-Bx store.
