SDR-Kits frugal L-band Inmarsat patch antenna review decoding CPDLC ADS-C with RTL-SDR v3 dongle!

[@jemussi7842]

The walls and ground act as a corner reflector for the incoming signal. As it is reflected thrice before proceeding outwards again, the polarisation is correct if the incoming signal was also a relection and can hence be decoded. Would also work if a direct signal reflected off only two walls if approximately parallel with the ground.

[@SDR-DXobserver]

Also used the SDR-kits A154R patch antenna but have replaced it with a Outernet patch antenna a NoElec LNA with saw filter. The 1.546.036.5 channel is received with a 30 dB SNR signal on a Airspy R0. I mounted the antenna and the LNA in a waterproof pvc box which resides in the garden. The used coax is 30 meters double shielded RG6 which will be replaced with a Adalm pluto which is coupled directly to the antenna after a bias-T. The Pluto will run on a UTP cable in my LAN network in a few weeks.

[@FrugalRadio]

That will be a much better setup, and 30dB SNR is great. What has your investment in the OuterNet patch and SAW filter added up to?

[@SDR-DXobserver]

@@FrugalRadio It was 45 dollars for the patch antenna and €29 for the NoElec LNA. You have to google the patch antenna as I fear it is no longer available but I can be wrong.

[@FrugalRadio]

Still quite a frugal setup - excellent! But yes, those patch antennas are basically gone now and probably only available on the used market. I do like the sound of your setup...

[@SevenFortyOne]

Great demo - thank you!

[@FrugalRadio]

You're most welcome 741!

[@raybokor2]

i did a similar video and got a mention in radio user for using a bin lid ... so easy to set up

[@FrugalRadio]

Excellent Roy. I believe I've seen your video as it was linked from the magazine!

[@raybokor2]

@@FrugalRadio yea it was my good friend from sdrplay (usa) mike ladd who did the original . all good stuff we all make the videos to show how easy it is .without spending stupid money

[@digitalmediafan]

Not sure the bias tee software is really needed these days, surely the V3 has it switched on by default ?

[@FrugalRadio]

No, you don't want bias tee to be enabled all the time, especially if you are using certain kinds of antennas such as J poles etc. It is best to have it switchable, like the v3, SDRPlay & Airspy products. That said I sometimes use the permanent bias tee NooElec dongles when powering certain patch antennas or accessories.

[@ManuelPinner]

SDR Angel Software can be Use for this,

[@FrugalRadio]

It's about time I played with SDR Angel again...

[@thecreator6381]

Nice video thank you

[@FrugalRadio]

You're welcome. Thanks for the feedback.

[@deejay9266]

How do you enable BIAS TEE in the dongle ?

[@FrugalRadio]

Written details are available at www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-blog-v-3-dongles-user-guide/ under Feature 2. There are also some details about bias tee, including how to enable it in the v3 at kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnyalJKarqlnhKM

[@jayricks8938]

Did you have to modify the antenna any? I would like to try something like this out but I really don't want to have to modify anything

[@FrugalRadio]

If you buy one from SDR-Kits, the modification has already been done! It is just plug & play 😄

[@jayricks8938]

Thanks for the info brother happy decoding

[@FrugalRadio]

You too Jay 📡

[@nicomatico]

Hello! I'm looking for an antenna that can amplify the signal of our Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 (used on remote roads in northern Argentina). Would this one work?

[@FrugalRadio]

No, I would recommend contacting one of the Inmarsat sales agents. You may require a different type of terminal.

[@kevtheskin]

Hello there, Cheers for the video. Can this be received in Scotland?

[@FrugalRadio]

It sure can! You can use the frugal SDR-Kits antenna like in this video, or the higher gain RTL-SDR patch as seen in my other video at kzbin.info/www/bejne/foCzqIONfdSWaqM

[@kevtheskin]

@@FrugalRadio Hi there thanks for the reply. Have ordered both. Cheers 73s Kev

[@FrugalRadio]

Great. Have fun experimenting when they arrive!

[@musicmanofjazz9165]

GREAT Thank You for the info.

[@FrugalRadio]

You bet!

[@FabioSpelta]

Would all this goodness be receivable and decodeable on Linux as far as you may know? Thanks.

[@FrugalRadio]

Yes, absolutely. JAERO can be compiled for Linux, so you just need to pipe your audio into the decoder (which I think you can do via Pulse Audio). You would also need to run SDR software, and the RTL bias-t software is also available for Linux :-)

[@FabioSpelta]

@@FrugalRadio Thank you!

[@fernandoxavier5365]

Frugal Radio Thank You for the info. Can anyone help? Can this SDR KITS antenna work with FUNCUBE DONGLE? How to enable bias tee in funcube? The softwatre of control of the funecube shows a box called LNA enhance with the options (off 0,1,2and 3) and another current bias call with the options (00 L band, 01, 10 and 11 v/U band) how to configure?

[@FrugalRadio]

Hi Fernando. I've never used the Funcube, so hopefully someone who has can answer your question!

[@alanwallis2796]

Hi silly question how do you work out where 54 degrees west is from your home location ? so i can determine which way to point the antenna ? regards

[@FrugalRadio]

There are a few apps for your phone you can use to get your bearing. Dishpointer for Android is a good one.

[@alanwallis2796]

@@FrugalRadio Ok thank you I will see if there is a similar one available for the iphone, I did take the A154 patch antenna into the garden, and did a 360, I found some signals but although I got all three green light it would not decode, I will try adjusting the band width and see if that helps. thanks again

[@alanwallis2796]

I have just found Dishfinder for iphone but it doesn't list any Inmarsat satellites, i will keep looking or continue manually ..

[@FrugalRadio]

The sat is listed as 54W Inmarsat 3-F3. At least on the website. You can use the app to view the 2 nearest satellites (probably 43 and 60 something, and your point will be in between). It doesn't have to be precise with a patch antenna. You've got the right idea by adjusting and watching the signal strengths. Try lots of angles. Sometimes the signal reflects surprisingly well from other objects. Happy hunting :-)

[@grantbratrud4949]

I used to see a "mobile setup" on your channel. Not anymore... did Trudeau shut that down with his recent power grab? Or, do you nee to monetize your content that way? Could probably help with monetization for content as described in my question.

[@FrugalRadio]

Haven't actually made a mobile setup video, so nothing has been removed it shut down. I mentioned in one episode that I would be making it, bit I have not even filmed it yet!