There are many options regarding the receiver and the antenna….well…actually there atwo…
Equipment made by Flightaware and ordinary DVB-T receiver stick.
- FlightAware
It is more expensive than a normal DVB-T stick. It is not really the actual cost of the equipment that will kill your budget, shipping costs out side US are unbelievable!!! (as everything that ships from US). However it’s the best stuff you can get in terms of sensitivity and gain. Think twice before you invest into a Chinesse DVB-T receiver. This is the stuff you can get from FlightAware:Receiver
1090 MHz Filter
Combo
Things have evolved since I built my unit, there is a combo version available now.
Antenna
- DVB-T
You can get a DVB-T receiver stick and a 1090 MHz from e.x. ebay for as little as 7-8 Euros for both. It can not be compared in terms of quality with the FlightAware equipment but it is certainly a lot cheaper.
Other stuff you might need:
- IP65 electrical installation enclosure
- Raspberry PI (I would recommend Pi3)
- 5V UBEC (convert 19V POE to 5V for RPI)
- 12V UBEC (convert 19V POE to 12V for cooling fans)
- SMA male to N Type male adaptor (for the FlightAware Antenna)
- USB Breakout. This is to power the RTL directly from the UBEC
For cooling (if needed) you may use whatever you feel confortable with.
I used the following:
- DS18B20 Temperature Sensor
- 2 pieces 40x40x20mm 12v fan. One for intake and one for outtake.
- MOSFET Switch for turning on and off the two fans. I have a personal preference for MOSFETs, if you use one make sure it a low voltage one (low Vgs threshold, they are called “logic Level” ones) so it can be turned on from GPIO ports (3.3V). There are presoldered ones avaialble at ebay. You can also use BJTs, make sure they can handle the start up current spike of fans. Relay boards (again search ebay) are also an option.
- Various bits and pieces: screws, RJ45 connectors, USB connectors, RJ45 keystones, dupont wires…etc