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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →You can track nearby aircraft with an RTL-SDR by receiving ADS-B signals, decoding them in software, and plotting the results on a map. A basic setup needs a compatible RTL-SDR dongle, a vertically polarized antenna tuned to 1090 MHz, decoder software such as a dump1090-family application, and a local or network display. Reception depends heavily on antenna placement and local radio conditions; this is a hobbyist display, not aircraft navigation or collision-avoidance equipment.
How RTL-SDR aircraft tracking works
Aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out periodically transmit information, including position when available. A 1090 MHz RTL-SDR receiver samples those signals, decoder software turns them into data, and a map or other compatible client plots the aircraft it receives. The receiver is passive: it listens for broadcasts rather than interrogating aircraft.
The classic RTL-SDR setup described by RTL-SDR.com’s 2013 tutorial consists of a working dongle, a vertically polarized 1090 MHz antenna, listening and decoding software, and software to display received locations. The software can show data on the computer running the decoder or pass it over a network to another display.
What you need
- RTL-SDR receiver: A compatible USB dongle able to receive the 1090 MHz ADS-B signal.
- Antenna: A vertically polarized antenna tuned for 1090 MHz. A dongle’s included antenna may pick up some signals, but a tuned antenna is a more suitable starting point for a deliberate ADS-B installation.
- Decoder: Software from the dump1090 family or another compatible ADS-B decoder.
- Display: A local map or compatible network client that can plot the decoder’s aircraft data.
- Host computer: A desktop or laptop is sufficient. A Raspberry Pi is optional if you want a compact system that can run continuously.
For a networked arrangement, RTL-SDR.com’s Raspberry Pi workflow demonstrates the general architecture: run a decoder on the Pi and make its data available to display software on the network. Software forks and installation procedures change, so consult the documentation for the specific decoder and display you choose rather than relying on old installation steps.
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- NESDR SMArt RTL-SDR v5 can be used for the reception of broadcast AM radio, broadcast FM radio, shortwave radio, CB radio, public security radio, trunked radio, air traffic control, ACARS (plane-ground communications), ADS-B (plane tracking), AIS (ship tracking), POCSAG (pagers), NOAA and GOES weather satellites (weather images), weather balloons, radiosondes, DAB radio, DVB-T video, Inmarsat, Iridium, and so much more!
- The best-performing low-cost RTL-SDR available anywhere! Compared with RTL-SDR v3, HF SNR is improved by up to 15dB, VHF & UHF SNR is improved by up to 6dB, tuning accuracy is improved by an average of 4x, and the frequency range is expanded all the way down to 100kHz
- v5 has a frequency capability of 100kHz to 1.75GHz and up to 3.2MHz of instantaneous bandwidth. HF reception below 25MHz is accomplished with direct sampling and requires a suitable antenna. We recommend using a Balun One Nine to make a DIY long wire or dipole antenna (sold separately, product ID B08HGSYB7R or B00R09WHT6)
- Though the direct sampling implementation of NESDR SMArt v5 is much better than any other RTL-SDR, we still recommend using an upconverter like the Ham It Up for a more fulfilling HF experience (sold separately, product ID B076CYK8XZ)
Set up the receiver for better reception
- Install the antenna as high and unobstructed as practical. ADS-B reception is line-of-sight, so trees, buildings, and other obstacles between the antenna and aircraft can block signals. A clear view of the horizon is more useful than simply increasing software gain.
- Use suitable coax and limit cable loss. At 1090 MHz, cable quality matters. Keep the cable run short where practical, particularly when using thin or higher-loss coax.
- Install and configure a current decoder. Follow the current project documentation for your operating system and receiver. An older Windows procedure, such as RTL-SDR.com’s 2014 dump1090 post, is a historical example, not a reliable guide to present-day installation.
- Adjust gain in response to the local signal environment. More gain is not always better. In a noisy environment, excessive gain can make decoding worse; compare reception while adjusting rather than assuming the highest setting is best.
- Add RF accessories only to address a diagnosed issue. A 1090 MHz band-pass filter may help when out-of-band interference is a problem. An LNA may be appropriate for some installations, but neither accessory guarantees more aircraft or a specific reception distance.
1090 MHz versus 978 MHz ADS-B in the United States
There are two ADS-B frequencies relevant to U.S. aircraft reception. A system built only for 1090 MHz will not receive 978 MHz UAT; receiving both requires a separate compatible receiver and decoder path for UAT.
| System | Frequency | What an RTL-SDR listener should know |
|---|---|---|
| 1090ES | 1090 MHz | The principal path for a basic 1090 MHz setup. The FAA says aircraft operating at and above Flight Level 180 must use 1090ES. |
| UAT | 978 MHz | Used in applicable U.S. airspace below 18,000 feet MSL; certain aircraft in ADS-B-required airspace may use either UAT or 1090ES. UAT can also carry FAA network weather information. |
These frequency and equipment distinctions come from the FAA’s ADS-B installation guidance. The FAA states: “UAT has the additional capability to receive weather data provided by the FAA ADS-B network and operates on 978 MHz.” Its Aeronautical Information Manual surveillance section describes the U.S. ADS-B services. FIS-B weather is available over UAT rather than 1090ES because of bandwidth considerations, according to the FAA ADS-B FAQ.
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Why aircraft may be missing from your map
A local receiver only plots signals it can receive and decode. Aircraft transmissions, receiver location, antenna tuning and height, terrain and buildings, cable loss, RF interference, gain settings, and decoder support can all affect the result. A map from one receiver is therefore not a complete or authoritative picture of air traffic.
FAA ground services have coverage conditions too. ADS-R rebroadcast depends on an equipped aircraft being within range of an ADS-B ground station; it should not be assumed that a local receiver will hear every aircraft or every rebroadcast. The FAA’s ADS-B FAQ explains these service limitations.
Rank #3
- Turn your computer, phone or tablet into a radio scanner/ham radio receiver that can receive nearly all RF signals! Compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Android
- NESDR SMArt RTL-SDR v5 can be used for the reception of broadcast AM radio, broadcast FM radio, shortwave radio, CB radio, public security radio, trunked radio, air traffic control, ACARS (plane-ground communications), ADS-B (plane tracking), AIS (ship tracking), POCSAG (pagers), NOAA and GOES weather satellites (weather images), weather balloons, radiosondes, DAB radio, DVB-T video, Inmarsat, Iridium, and so much more!
- The best-performing low-cost RTL-SDR available anywhere! Compared with RTL-SDR v3, HF SNR is improved by up to 15dB, VHF & UHF SNR is improved by up to 6dB, tuning accuracy is improved by an average of 4x, and the frequency range is expanded all the way down to 100kHz
- v5 has a frequency capability of 100kHz to 1.75GHz and up to 3.2MHz of instantaneous bandwidth. HF reception below 25MHz is accomplished with direct sampling and requires a suitable antenna. We recommend using a Balun One Nine to make a DIY long wire or dipole antenna (sold separately, product ID B08HGSYB7R or B00R09WHT6)
- Though the direct sampling implementation of NESDR SMArt v5 is much better than any other RTL-SDR, we still recommend using an upconverter like the Ham It Up for a more fulfilling HF experience (sold separately, product ID B076CYK8XZ)
What this setup is—and is not—for
An RTL-SDR ADS-B receiver is useful for learning about radio, observing aircraft broadcasts, and maintaining a general-awareness display. It is not certified aviation equipment and must not be used for aircraft navigation, separation, or collision avoidance. The RTL-SDR tutorial explicitly cautions against using the setup for navigation in a real aircraft.
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- Can tune from 500 kHz to 1.7 GHz and has up to 3.2 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth (2.4 MHz stable). (HF reception below 24 MHz in direct sampling mode with reduced performance). Please note RTL-SDR dongles are RX only.
- Please follow the quickstart guide linked in the included the manual for installation of the drivers and free software. Please feel free to contact us via Amazon messaging for technical support - we're happy to help
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