Updated March 29, 2024
Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) technology enables aircraft to determine their position using satellite and periodically broadcast this location information. ADS-B receivers can decode this signal and track the position of airplanes. ADS-B technology in the cockpit provides a new level of safety and efficiency for airplanes. Even drones are starting to incorporate ADS-B to detect nearby airplanes for collision avoidance thereby ensuring safer air flight travel. This technology could potentially someday replace radar for controlling aircraft worldwide.
Setting up an ADS-B receiver system can be a fun, educational and very rewarding experience. In this article we look at the best ADS-B receivers in the market today.
Table of Contents
Garmin GDL 52 Portable ADS-B Receiver
The GDL 52 is the most sophisticated and feature-rich ADS-B receiver available on the market today. Users have reported very quick GPS and traffic data acquisition. Additionally, the attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) works very well. The GDL 52 also includes Bluetooth connectivity and pairs with Android tablets and Apple iPads with the Garmin Pilot app. All in all this is a well-designed and engineered product. It also includes Sirius XM connectivity.
PROS
- Dual band to support signal reception in both 1090 MHz and 978 MHz bands
- Well engineered and sleek design
- Fast data acquisition
- Satellite radio option
- Customer support from Garmin
CONS
- Price
Stratux ADS-B Receiver
The Stratux ADS-B receiver is dual band and connects effortlessly to tablets and phones through a Wi-Fi Signal. Wide Area Augmentation GPS always ensures that you’re on course with coordinates accurate within 2.5m. The Stratux also has built-in AHRS. Multiple Android and iPad devices can also be synced at the same time. This is a highly portable receiver including a suction mount for window mounting.
One of the biggest pluses of the Stratux in addition to the compelling price point is the product design – open, modular, well-documented and supported by a growing community of SDR and ADS-B enthusiasts. The modular and well-documented aspects mean that you can replace parts like a broken antenna or receiver card at very low cost so you’re not having to purchase extended warranties or sending the hardware to the recycle bin if it doesn’t work.
PROS
- Dual band to support signal reception in both 1090 MHz and 978 MHz bands
- Price
- Modular and well-documented design
- Excellent Customer support
CONS
- Some users have reported reliability issues with the hardware and software connectivity
RTL-SDR Receiver Dongle
The RTL-SDR is a very popular software-defined radio receiver. It can be used as an ADS-B receiver. The biggest plus is the price point. It is a very cost-effective way to get started with ADS-B.
Depending on your operating environment – if there are very strong radio signals around, it may be useful to add a bandpass filter in front of this receiver to limit interference.
This filter will allow only 1090 MHz signals to pass through and eliminate everything else. For example it will reject strong AM/FM and Cellular band signals.
If you are interested in boosting your ADS-B signal then consider adding a filtered Low Noise Amplifier.
The RTL-SDR can be used with a Raspberry Pi for a very cost-effective set up. This is an excellent way to get started with ADS-B and setting up your own rig. There is a massive community of users that experiment with various methods to improve range, setup, etc. so you can be sure that you will learn a lot in the process.
PROS
- Price
- Dual band to support signal reception in both 1090 MHz and 978 MHz bands (when used without a bandpass filter)
- Huge community of users and support forums
- Great for experimentation
CONS
- This is not a shrink-wrapped solution that you can take onto an aircraft. For instance you will have to figure out how to mount it yourself and deal with antennas and other such practical aspects.
SUMMARY
In this article we have presented the best products for ADS-B signal reception. There is increasing interest in monitoring aircraft for a number of different applications. There is also a large and growing community of users working with such products and continuously looking at methods of improving the range of their rig.
Our top 4 ADS-B receivers are:
- Garmin GDL 52 – a professional grade ADS-B receiver with bells and whistles such as Sirius XM radio
- Stratux – an excellent, affordable ADS-B receiver
- Flightaware Pro Stick – affordable ADS-B receiver with excellent community support
Please read our article on the best antennas for ADS-B that can complement your rig nicely.
Comments are closed.