Basic Tactical SIGINT: Tracking Aircraft and SDR Scanning

Edit: Just to be abolutely clear, if you are scanning with SDRSharp, you can set the bandwidth to anything from 12500 Hz to down to 5000 Hz as demonstrated in the video, or even lower for certain types of transmissions. This also changes as you move up and down the band, as all ham bands are subdivided for various types of transmissions. For most people, a bandwidth of 12500 Hz will probably be more effective for standard analog unencrypted mesage traffic. But as always, try it out and experiment for yourself. Remember, this is just a very short introduction to the topic.
Links:
SDRSharp - airspy.com/download/
RTL1090 - rtl1090.com/
Zadig - zadig.akeo.ie/
PlanePlotter - www.coaa.co.uk/planeplotter.htm
Artemis - aresvalley.com/
00:00 - Introduction
02:08 - Getting Started with Gear
04:26 - SDR Devices
06:49 - Needed Software
11:00 - Intalling the Software
24:43 - PlanePlotter Install and Config
44:21 - Summary
48:57 - Closing Thoughts
Disclaimer:
No company sponsored this video. In fact, we have no sponsors. We are funded 100% by you, the viewer. All of the equipment and materials used in this video were purchased by us with our own personal funds. As such, we have no financial incentive to recommend certain brands or products, and none of the companies mentioned in this video were given prior notice that we would be featuring their products. We are happy to help companies develop better products, but we must maintain neutrality in order to ensure the longevity of this content. Specific gear comes and goes, but doctrine lasts a lifetime.
We take this unique approach to encourage a more educational perspective, rather than getting caught up in the tiny details of gear that sometimes overwhelms the tactical community and warfare doctrine in general.
This content is purely educational and does not advocate for violating any laws. Do not violate any laws or regulations. This is not legal advice. Consult with your attorney.
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[@Unb3arablePain]

Keep fighting the good fight S2U

[@Tocsin-Bang]

My late father was a sigint specialist and instructor in the UK Royal Navy. He started as a wireless operator during WWII and served until 1963.

[@FreeStyleSloth]

Loved the video topic, more people should learn about this! That being said, if powerusers are looking for a 'stronger' software that enables quite a bit more for a skill ceiling, looking into SDRAngel. From a tactical perspective aside from tracking you can also; - Listen to all unencrypted voice channels (Baofeng bois I'm looking at you) - Receive weather satellite images in case TV/Internet shuts down - Decode most digital forms of communication (Police typically use P-25 Phase 2 for comms) - Locate signal locations using KerberosSDR Honestly the sky's the limit and I'm still learning a lot as well!

[@xntumrfo9ivrnwf]

If you REALLY want to go all-out, you should use GNU Radio Companion and build whatever RX / TX software you need :p

[@FreeStyleSloth]

@@xntumrfo9ivrnwf +1 I'm still learning GNU Radio as it is quite the beast, but you're absolutely right.

[@xntumrfo9ivrnwf]

Wow thanks a lot for this man! I decided to try out SDRAngel out of curiosity and it beats the hell out of e.g. SDRSharp or even gqrx! This is great, thanks

[@xntumrfo9ivrnwf]

@@FreeStyleSloth ha my reply was half tongue in cheek. It absolutely it the closest you'll get to "bare metal", but unless you're doing something completely new, there's probably a tool that already exists. SDRAngel was a great suggestion though!

[@jeffbrownstain]

Thank you both. I'm really not sure why this dude thinks his audience are mentally handicapped and need their hands held, but it's getting kind of annoying, especially when he hasn't offered anything new to the community in a long time.

[@henrypuyi5485]

Like most former mil aviation folks I'm always looking up and seeing what is overhead. A number of times I've seen light general aviation craft making orbits every 10-15 minutes. after the 4th or 5th time stopped what I was doing and glassed the A/C and it had something hanging off the port side the length of the A/C. Reminded me of a side looking lidar. Love these vids. You're taking me back in time 🙂

[@Chris-hq7nl]

GA pilot - for check rides you have to demonstrate ground based maneuvers and racetrack patterns and turns around a point are some of the maneuvers that have to be demonstrated. As far as the pod - there are quite a few luggage pods and even an instrument pod called a Level BOM that feeds attitude and compass info to a tablet in the cockpit.

[@M81_WOODLAND]

"Panasonic tough books are rugged." Maliciously chuckles in aircraft maintainer.

[@SamuelN363]

We traded out or tough books for "ruggedized" iPads. Screens would crack if you even thought about dropping them and they would overheat and shutdown anytime they were in the sun; sometimes in our hands

[@Blaculo]

Thank you for everything you’re doing.

[@9tengu]

Thank you for all of the work you do on this channel. It has been a great place to learn.

[@pcchris02]

There is a tool to pass ADSB, AIS, and a few other automatic reporting protocol contacts to an Atak server, that it then pushes out to connected clients.

[@victorygarden556]

If you know what it is please send a reply

[@SpookyLurker]

Inquiring minds want to know! òó

[@christianpellicci3293]

Please share

[@victorygarden556]

I think he’s talking about atak forwarder

[@pcchris02]

@@victorygarden556 Adsbcot, aiscot, and aprscot.

[@hooks4638]

I've been binging your channel and I really dig it. It's given me a lot to think about. Looking forward to seeing more from you. Stay in the shade.

[@scott41598]

@S2 Underground - Really love the content you share, and very informative for the up and coming events that are going to transpire.

[@DistractoTactix]

I must have tuned in to you guys (no pun intended) about a week ago as thats when I started messing with this stuff...really good video, thank you for the awesome content as always. keep it up

[@jasonbegaming244]

This is amazing information. Getting into stuff like this as a lone wolf civilian can be pretty intimidating. Now I have a better idea of what I can and want to do. Amazing channel.

[@peebreezy5015]

Another great video on a mostly overlooked topic. Keep up the great work!!

[@jwcross6110]

Just ordered an SDR and set of antennas…can’t wait to give it a shot!

[@ChiefMiddleFinger]

The airwaves are very polluted and getting worse. Regardless, this is a great series. Keep up the great work !

[@skydivingcomrade1648]

That's not always a bad thing, hiding signals in a pile of signals is not a bad thing.

[@AA-gl1dr]

Chirp chirp.

[@horsetrainingresources]

Excellent! Very well covered and easy to follow. Thanks for all the effort you put into this.

[@MountainMan7.62x39]

Hey man, I honestly think this is one of the best videos you've put out. Thanks!

[@awpatt]

Always appreciate your videos, sir! Thank you!

[@IdahoLife]

Love your videos, and always excited when a new one comes out. Keep up the good work!

[@Lifesbeengood]

This video is why I’m still on KZbin

[@SamtheoriginalClassic]

Next you gotta use DSD+ with ambe voice encoder with two RTL-SDRs for P25 and NXDN. Love your content! keep it up.

[@jharris0341]

Man, I wish I knew what that meant.

[@SpookyLurker]

@@jharris0341 P.25 & NXDN are sorta encrypted and I kinda think channel hopping, but I could be wrong.

[@jharris0341]

@@SpookyLurker Thanks. I'll look into it.

[@jjrobiso]

Saw an AWACS style aircraft flying a pattern over St. Louis the other day on my flight tracker app. Crazy! Thanks for the info keep it coming. I’d love to see a full setup running everything into a pi or tough book. I dream of a setup like that.

[@NeverMetTheGuy]

So much information, so well presented.

[@MrEvilsurpent]

More of these type of vids is what the world needs

[@johnqpublic2718]

As a systems admin for a non-profit, cannibalizing parts and setting up windows to run correctly is a way of life. Although I did convince the VPs to spring for vxrail - soon, soon.

[@jeffbrownstain]

Sure hope you arent running XP on 20 year old hardware though 🤦‍♀️

[@kingdick4508]

This was an awesome presentation!

[@blacksheepbear6382]

Hero. @ the minute fifty-two second mark. You are an absolute Chad. God Bless and God Speed.

[@execsapp9587]

Fantastic intro to concept video

[@bravotwozero535]

Great information for getting started. There’s lots of terrible reviews of hardware that people don’t know how to operate.

[@budprepper3811]

I'm wearing your t-shirt right now! 😉👍

[@guyinthewrinkledwrangler]

Skyglass is an excellent option for tracking aircraft and there 3d movement. God bless you and yours

[@spudhut2246]

yes, the idea is to track aircraft locally, not globally, using analog signals and no internet.

[@alainbroekema5000]

Great video, thank you !

[@12monkey57]

Love this step by step explanation! Please go over SDRAngel!!

[@Fluent_Aether]

Btw you gave your location in this video, love the content just wanna keep you safe

[@Fluent_Aether]

Using a map & key it would be possible to discern your location, if one was nefarious, location is accurate, and one wanted to

[@Fluent_Aether]

Please don’t take this as a threat, just an observation

[@LordPerique]

2 radio videos in a week?? Be still my beating heart! It's making the wait for my KrakenSDR feel like forever though... 5 more days until ship date!

[@MA-ro5qi]

Great stuff. Thanks folks!

[@podziemnaprawda8752]

Thx for video from Poland. Just shared it.

[@carlosburnell5634]

o man this seemed like a real hasstle but happy to say its set up and working thanks for the help, anyone after the dll files they are on website now

[@byrdentertainment7765]

I miss you and your videos

[@S0NS_0F_LIB3RTY]

This is excellent

[@DallasPirateMike]

Excellent Content…

[@njw1977]

I work at the Panasonic National Repair Center, so keep rocking those tough books!!! But please don't send in that CF-19. I HATE working on those! You should check out the CF-20. Super thin and light

[@BluesStraightFromTheHarp]

Any “referbs” available for such applications for a beginner like myself?

[@gooshy8312]

GREAT video! EMCON next? Be a short video. Anyway, I noted a few hands getting a tad discouraged. Still cheerful though, always a good sign. So, let me say this: just about anybody can do this. The only serious hurdle is the sometimes cranky software, and you'll get there eventually. Can you operate the radio in your car? You don't NEED a lot of prior knowledge to get a dongle radio working. Here's what you DO need: The dongle. Some wire, any old scrap will do, A usb cable. (a fancy one is nice, but you can grab one later. A small assortment of paperclips An alligator clip lead, a couple of feet long is nice. Install SDR# and while you're there, get their manual, the best one in the world of free stuff, imo. And it explains jargon as it is introduced, which is SOP everywhere but, ummm, planet SDR, I guess. Ok, you've blown your pocket change on this stuff. Let's make it work. First - straighten out some paperclips until you find one that just slips into the little hole where the antenna cable goes. DO NOT FORCE THIS. (you guys that are stroking out right now? You'll live.) If it doesn't just slip in, keep looking. Set that aside for now, take your wire and stretch it out, make sure it reaches the radio. Take the other end and get it up in the air, just knot the end around a curtain rod or something. Use tape. The wire doesn't care. Back at the computer, strip an inch or two of insulation off the wire. Now use the alligator clips and connect the wire to the paperclip. Or just twist em together. Just make the connection as good as you can. Plug the dongle into the pc. Launch SDR#. At the left shoul be a tab. Open it, and at the top is a drop down with types of radios. Scroll that puppy and find "RTL-SDR USB", and click it. Hit the "play" button. Tuning is easy - it's getting your numbers in the right place, first. But anyway, refer to the manual, or a vid. Tune in between 88 and 108 Mhz. You should see all sorts of bright streaks in the lower half of the screen, and big wide humps up top. Click on one. You should be hearing a local FM station. *Yawn* Big deal, right? Well, just keep tuning above 108. No too far above that, you'll get civil aviation, planes and ATC. Go up into the 160 mhz region, you'll find NOAA weather radio. Back down around 140ish you'll find hams and law enforcement, etc. This "zone" is the middle of VHF, and even if you're in a big city, you'll probably find stuff. You'll need to get that antenna outside and up in the air, though. If you can't find ANYTHING, check your antenna and the connection. Then the software connection. That's it. You're operating an intercept station. Next is antennas. But the fanciest antenna is still just a piece of wire. Usually. And you can say hello to Ohm's Law and that fun stuff later.

[@DanSoldierGuy]

Directions were unclear... my dongle is now tangled in the ceiling fan.

[@gooshy8312]

@@DanSoldierGuy Lol! Hey, you're lucky you didn't get it tangled up in a helicopter. 🤓

[@famousartguymeme]

Bruh no linux??

[@ramblinfan99]

Great channel

[@understandthetimes5721]

Great info!

[@seetheious9879]

Thank you for this.

[@goatmoag]

What you might do is you use multiple computers to run multiple SDRs. Though a scanner is certainly a great asset. The M1 is suited for this, as an individual sensor or sensors platform, as just one of its roles, and being that it is a fanless / sdd design, one could make the claim that it uncomplicates things dramatically. Another option is the humble android TV box which can give you some bang for your buck (hint, usb ports and other stats / i/o should be optimized for performance cost ratio. more usb mem / storage being the sweet spot. and the 1 is none thing too. so to including OS environment version and development is recommended), and can easily be integrated into a 24 /12 / 5 / dc power system to run off USB distribution (something I'm starting to warm too). Seems I may have just seen something about what looked like a tv box running linux, which could be a very useful tool also.

[@TurboNorm]

I’m late to the game, but loved the video. I really want to give this a try. Former AF aviator.

[@TheBoatPirate]

love this content. keep er comin. maybe you can do something showing stuff you can do about the drone issue since part 107 faa nazis are out now? remote id is going to be taking off soon and im sure this wont be tracked the same as conventional aircraft. at least not at first. id love to see what you have to say about this.

[@hacker4chn841]

I tracked a UAV from the Chesapeake to California yesterday

[@SpookyLurker]

With what exactly? 🤔

[@hacker4chn841]

@@SpookyLurker ADS-B exchange. For whatever reason it didn't turn off it's transponder. It was either a UAV or some other surveillance aircraft. Idk what else is flying at 56k feet anyway.

[@tomcoyle7365]

Mobile SIGINT isn't complete without an hour of QB luv, and motion sickness. Oh, and sweating and cursing. I love the homebrew kit. The decryption/tuner and reciever software that is open source now was the stuff of Clancy novels when I was in. SIGINT is definitely a bellwether for technological progress. Great video and good info. It definitely takes me back. Back to what, I can't remember, but it was fun while I was there. Keep passing the info along. This is a great hobby/occupation of you have the patience for it. From a retired 98G/35P.

[@reiisthebestgirl]

Toughbooks are great. Even older models are very much usable today if you are willing to run Linux. I have CF 30 that in theory can run 64bit win 10 but the OS is so heavy and uses most of system resources to data mine and phone home you cant do anything with it. With Arch Linux build it runs 100% fine. Hard drive heaters are only useful when you are using mechanical drives, which there is no reason to use because SSD's have become so much cheaper and are direct upgrade. SSD's dont have finicky mechanisms inside that would require heating so the element is just wasting battery power.

[@dontwitness3758]

Just so you know, it didn't look like you covered it but maybe I missed it, RTL1090 Scope does load a basic overview map if you don't want to pay for PlanePlotter. I got to it by clicking left mouse a few times on the scope screen.

[@n8loux]

I've fiddled with adsb a lot. I love planeplotter, but a better option is adsb-scope. May be hard to find as I think its somewhat niche but its my go to software now, no internet required, completely free. I can relay more info if you want, but should be worth a little research

[@NHamel123]

Can you post a tutorial?

[@tommy2x4]

old navy CTR here...cool video!

[@gooshy8312]

Dam Neck?

[@ScottSmith7964]

Great video. I miss the intro you used to do.

[@drdabber710]

Could you go into p25 decoding and scanning? Or even how to listen to trunked systems? We should be able to listen in on police activity to hear what’s going on out there. Also, I’ve seen some people go into how to encrypt transmissions using multiple devices to retransmit and encrypt/decrypt

[@darrensublett1586]

Absolutely love what you guy's are doing and this video and the 2 prior are extremally good info for what's coming. Having said that, my SDS sharp only hears static. Even in UHF/VHF no mater what antenna I use. I have a UHF/VHF antenna on my roof that I use with my radio set up. It wont even get NOAA signals that I obviously hear with my radio. So, Did I not buy the appropriate dongle? I bought 2 of the Nooelec NESDR's with the two antenna bundle on amazon that you referenced. It actually tracked Airplanes in Plane plotter but I get nothing but static with the SDS sharp. Should I have purchased the RTL-SDR for radio only? Any advice would be great, I am not a computer guy but the Plane plotter worked so I must have missed a step or something? Also note worthy is in the source drop down on my SDS sharp, there is no option for an NESDR dongle, not sure why or if it even matters? Thank you all!

[@jeffmorga7111]

Very nice... Thanks..

[@oibal60]

7:45 Those of us who have installed an ATI video card on a PC that used to have an NVIDIA card are grinning.

[@KidCorporate]

Awesomely informative as always. Do you have any recommended model of Toughbook to look at?

[@Alex-ee5pl]

Very spooky setup I need to learn to code lol

[@merlinmountroyal3497]

Thanks a lot!!

[@johnweaver9937]

Have you looked into passive radar using SDR? You can use existing radio stations to bounce waves off of aircraft.. and track them. I'm new here, maybe you covered this previously. Great stuff!

[@narmandanail8137]

Used to be fun however where times social context has a large amount of standard perception where today social are divided onto various level of awareness even with strategic design post distributional link to the main system another source with the main income stream still worthless >>>

[@myfaveyoutube]

cool bot

[@IAMschizoaffective]

Thank you s2

[@nathanbieber2840]

loving dump1090 and virtual radar if you have access to a roof. also been messing with SDRangel's ads/b setup

[@12vscience]

good points

[@FlyingAxblade_D20]

1st time video today & Apache fly over my Navajo self...co-inc

[@politicallyinsensitive4200]

Can you do a series on using Linux? I've been running Mint for a few years but without the windows-esque desktop I'd be lost. I know no terminal commands.

[@nerfinator465]

That's beyond the scope of this channel imo and there's already an ocean of resources on that topic elsewhere. What I'd recommend you do is just try to use the terminal for as many tasks as possible to familiarize yourself.

[@OlegSven]

You absolutely don't need any ads-b data in war conditions, for tactical use whatsoever. There are no ads-b radars on enemy air planes, as well as on friendly ones. Sigint , elint, comint is what you do. You look for drones, gps jammers, uhf, vhf, satcom, military radios, radars, and lots of other stuff in the most unexpected parts of the spectrum. Cheers from Ukraine

[@redleg0942]

Excuse my ignorance, still learning how to use some of these concepts. Can everything shown in this video be used offline? If I were to be running this in the field, would I need an internet connection or does the SDR antenna take care of that? Mainly curious about the plane plotter portion.

[@WS-gs6sf]

.DLL files and sketchy web-sites. What fun this will be.

[@johnsmith7676]

It's all shite.

[@retrojames4226]

You can upgrade the RAM on the toughbook to 16GB if you've got some basic electronics skills. It'll run like a dream after you've done this.

[@shadocatxl]

Riding around with a dirty box in the trunk!

[@agentbz]

it says in the release notes for Jetvision "Version 1" that it's deprecated (they spell it "depreciated", but it's deprecated), and that you can't use it to Multilaterate aircraft as a Ground Station.

[@djcoopes7569]

wow im actually here on time for once

[@alfredfishcock]

The beginning of this video gives me flashbacks to my A-School for being a CTR lol 😂

[@M81_WOODLAND]

Also, ADS-B is only good for civil aircraft and military flights that are in transit or otherwise not engaged in combat. Combat aircraft (fighters, bombers, special mission aircraft) turn off their ADS-B transmitters when they are engaged in operations. Just pay attention to the airspace around Ukraine these days on ADS-B apps. U.S. F-16s and F-15s go right up to Ukraine airspace and "disappear" (probably just in a holding pattern waiting for SHTF) and then "reappear" when they're headed home or hitting the tanker for gas.

[@ROOSTER333]

Look man I'm just a dumb roughneck that happens to see what's coming in the near future and I really appreciate the work you're doing

[@agray7209]

Received

[@mrd7067]

Can you make one on underwater surveilence? My guess it some if not all of the countries on the baltic sea probably could have picked up who did what to the pipelines.

[@kmusic8606]

S2 any thought of making a forum for like minded individuals to talk together? Also to have yourself and your team there to assist would be a big help. Not sure if you already have this or not but as always great videos. Sad they surpass any intel brief I've ever sat through.

[@gooshy8312]

Yeah, but those state department briefs are a hoot, ain't they? I mean the part where they put up a map of the worst parts of town, where all the "worst" bars and clubs are at, threaten everybody with Captain's mast (article 13? NJP) if they're caught there........and then give you cab company phone numbers and what train to take when you exfil. Yeah, the good ole days!

[@tjman4943]

@@gooshy8312 What Command says: "Here is a list of the locations that are banned for attendance. Don't get caught going there, you will be punished." What the enlisteds hear: "Here is a list of the best places to go. Don't get caught."

[@HawaiianFlyGuy]

Hello, late comer but Really enjoying your vids. I am a Ham and recently got into SDR. I just picked up the AirNav Radarbox Flightstick and Signalplus 1090 Mhz Antenna. my question, Is the AirNav subscription worth it help me to learn more about ADS-B aircraft tracking? Thanks!

[@ArztvomDienst]

Love the heatsinks on the neSDR xD Was reading "the case is the heat sink" alot but naaaah not that hot pls. On the good old Alfa sticks it was vital to cut the case and put a sink on the chip or they stopped after a few minutes of replay or what ever attack ^^

[@RickMunday]

Specs and source for that antenna at around 6:20 ? I really like that one!

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

4:50 The heatsinks!! That's what mine needs desperately. It won't run for long before overheating and seizing.

[@jasonprivately1764]

Try sdrangel, the signals interface is quite interesting I especially enjoy the time domain analysis vs frequency in a 3d graph. And the wonderful ability to incorporate massive extendable filtering

[@northernwrx]

Are you moving any of the outputs of information to TAK? Very interested in hearing about that

[@JJ-si4qh]

Hi, could you do ground, air, and sea sensors. Both what Ground Sensor Platoon would use, and what is commercially available?

[@gpalmerify]

Can personally recommend the pi400 (bought new for $100 USD)

[@sbibbity_bobbity_bup]

mornin sir

[@MarkPillow]

Thats Jonesboro (JBR) where I do live and let me tell you we get interesting traffic.

[@billdude1564]

Good stuff, love the channel. But we never see a plane on your map an I see none on mine. So that leaves me wondering what to expect. And on my rtl1090 I see data flowing, on yours none, did. I miss something?

[@billdude1564]

Ahhh. Yours was port 31001 and mind was 31011 😅

[@sierraharvester]

Tracking voice signals makes sense to me. Besides knowing the distance that I can hear aircraft from, why do I care if I can track aircraft? Do you have a suggestion on practical application or exercises to participate in? I understand that I want to be able to do these things, but I don’t understand why I want to do them unless the world goes out the window in a handbasket.

[@oldscratch3535]

Because the FBI and other government agencies are constantly running surveillance using small fixed wing aircraft. Do you remember how the FBI handed over video of the Rittenhouse shooting? They were doing surveillance flights over the riots. They do this over every major city almost 24/7. It can also tell you if something major is happening that isn't on the news. If you suddenly see AWACS, lots of military flight traffic, doomsday plane, etc then you at least know something is likely going down.

[@robglaser3]

Thanks for making this accessible to us masses! One suggestion, explain how you got the usable map that just magically appeared between 29:34 and 29:36. I am sure I will figure something out eventually but for now the map is not very useful.

[@goatmoag]

Nice

[@jasonprivately1764]

For linux try dragon os/focal from an encrypted usb lock. The lock is a 10 button hardware usb key with local storage. It puts the password key in hardware before a boot iso

[@jasonwinter8716]

What would be the minimum model Toughbook to get? For GhostNet use as well.

[@pelktech4129]

Will you or have you done a video on how to get satellite imagery with the sdr?