SpectraSentry · feature guide
ADS-B Aircraft Radar
A 1090 MHz Mode S receiver and PPI radar that tracks real aircraft — CRC-validated decodes only, nothing simulated.
What it does
The ADS-B tab decodes 1090 MHz Mode S transmissions from the RTL-SDR. Each DF17 message is CRC-24 validated before it is accepted, then decoded for position (CPR), velocity and identity. Aircraft are plotted on a PPI radar with range rings, a compass rose and chevron icons; selecting one shows its details with a hexdb.io intel lookup. You can center the display by zip code or lat/lon, and emergency squawk codes raise an alert. Only real, decoded aircraft appear — no targets are injected.
What it is for
- Local airspace awareness during field operations or investigations.
- Correlating overhead aircraft with RF anomalies seen on the spectrum.
- Watching for emergency squawks (7500/7600/7700) in the area.
How to use it
Step by step
- Connect the RTL-SDRPlug in the Nooelec NESDR; the receiver tunes 1090 MHz.
- Set your centerEnter a zip code or lat/lon (or use GPS) so range rings and bearings are relative to you.
- Start trackingBegin reception from the info panel; aircraft populate as Mode S messages decode.
- Inspect an aircraftClick a chevron to see callsign, altitude, speed and the hexdb registration lookup.
Specifications
The details
| Decoder | 1090 MHz Mode S · DF17 · CRC-24 validated · CPR position, velocity, identity |
| Display | PPI radar · range rings · compass · chevron icons · track trails |
| Centering | Zip code / lat-lon / GPS |
| Alerts | Emergency squawk detection · hexdb.io registration intel |