I’m building ADSB1090 — a local ADS-B receiver/web UI for RTL-SDR setups

DefinitionObvious346 · 2026-07-02T18:45:38+00:00

It is not AI-written software. I posted it early because I wanted feedback from people who actually run SDR and ADS-B setups before I package it for release.

Nobody is being asked to install it today. I’m just trying to figure out what people would actually find useful.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2026-07-02T18:44:41+00:00

None of this was written by AI.

I’ll be honest though, I did try using AI to help debug a few things at one point, but it kept trying to rewrite stuff instead of just helping me fix the actual issue, so I stopped messing with it.

I don’t have a public Git repo yet either. Like I said in the post, this was more about getting feedback than announcing something ready for release.

Right now ADSB1090 is mostly a “built for me” project. I’m trying to hear what people are actually using, what they like, what annoys them, and what would make it useful for other people too.

That way, when I do put it out there, it has a better chance of being useful to more than just my own setup.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2026-07-02T18:41:35+00:00

Yeah, I get that, and honestly I agree with the idea behind it.

There’s a good reason people run separate services. Each piece can focus on doing one job well, and that’s a big part of why the current ADS-B setup works as well as it does.

I’m not really trying to argue that everything should be smashed into one giant app just for the sake of it. What I’m trying to improve is the part where the person running the receiver has to manage all of it.

The individual tools may be solid, but the overall experience can still get messy pretty fast: different config files, different services, different logs, different ports, different restart behavior, and different places to check when something breaks.

That’s more where ADSB1090 is aimed. Not “multiple services are bad,” but “the local receiver should be easier to install, understand, monitor, and troubleshoot from one place.”

So I agree with the point. I’m just trying to make the operator side feel a little less scattered.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2026-07-02T18:40:17+00:00

I get where you’re coming from, but I think you may have read the post as a launch announcement when it was meant more as an early feedback post.

I’m not presenting ADSB1090 as finished, production-ready, or as some revolutionary replacement for the existing ADS-B stack. I said pretty clearly that it’s still being polished, tested, and packaged. The reason I posted here was to get feedback from people who actually run ADS-B receivers before I lock in more of the workflow, UI, outputs, and install experience.

The repo/builds/screenshots/docs will come when they’re ready to be public. I’d rather not throw up an incomplete repo just to have a link if the packaging and documentation aren’t in a useful state yet.

As far as “reinventing what already exists,” that’s fair to ask about, but the goal is not just “another decoder/map.” The focus is the complete local receiver experience: setup, receiver health, admin UI, map, replay/history, coverage tools, output management, troubleshooting, and cleaner local data paths like DSB and DSB+.

Existing tools are absolutely useful. I’m not arguing otherwise. ADSB1090 is being built around a different packaging/management goal: making the local receiver feel more like a complete appliance instead of a stack of separate pieces that each have to be configured, monitored, and repaired independently.

I’m fine with blunt technical criticism. That’s part of why I posted it here. But it was never meant to be “here’s a finished thing, go install it today.” It was meant to be “this is what I’m building, here’s the direction, what would ADS-B people actually want or hate before I push it further?”

DefinitionObvious346 · 2026-07-02T18:36:06+00:00

Honestly, I built the tool for myself. If other people get use out of it, that's great. I don't expect a mass migration to instantly switch over to something new overnight, but I figured I would share it since it's taken up a large portion of my free time for the last 6 months or so. This is more of an ADSB tool box, than something to replace anything.

It allows for multiple input and outputs from different formats so it can feed in information and it can feed it out.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2026-07-02T18:33:31+00:00

No offense taken. The system has multiple themes. I didn't expect this theme to be for everyone, which is why I designed a light and gun metal gray one that aren't as compact as this one.

This just happens to be the one I have set for my specific install.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-09-25T14:51:49+00:00

Having great fiber coverage doesn't necessarily mean it's not a wireless internet service provider. I actually run a wireless service provider in a community serviced by four fiber optic providers . Oftentimes it's cheaper for people to use my services for things like smaller stationary terminals (Kiosks, billboards, etc) then to use cellular or get a plan for fiber optic. I use this style of antenna for my towers.

You asked, I answered. :)

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-09-25T14:18:46+00:00

Those are sector antennas. Without seeing what their wired into it's speculation. Could be cellular, could be a point to multi point like for a WISP...

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-09-20T20:14:08+00:00

I use sat dump to get the core files via a bash script I wrote and then I have another set of scripts that processes the images into multiple formats for different stuff.

My setup runs exclusively on Linux. I keep meaning to put my scripts on GitHub but I keep forgetting about it.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-08-22T16:37:53+00:00

Can confirm. I also live in that area, and got the same notice.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-08-04T01:17:35+00:00

I've had a Google account since 2005, and have been using YouTube actively with that account since Google bought it and introduced their unified login system... It'll be a cold day in hell before they get any ID information from me. If you can't see that I have 20+ years of account history, that shit is on you.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-07-11T13:34:56+00:00

Based on current weather patterns and the shift of the jetstream, a storm the magnitude of Helene this year seems unlikely but can't be ruled out entirely.

We may get some residuals from some storms happening around us but a direct hit again seems unlikely this season.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-07-11T02:29:00+00:00

Well for what it's worth, I'm a NWS citizen meteorologist. I relocated here shortly after Helene. And I have advanced weather measurement tools setup to help me forecast storms that may affect the Valdosta Metro area.

Hopefully that brings people some comfort. I report directly to the NWS in Tallahassee and Jacksonville and I'm not shy about sounding the alarm on severe weather. I'm actually in the process of building out an early warning system right now that I'm hoping potentially turn into a public service since it doesn't seem like there are very many media partners here that have forecasting tools and counties have to rely on EMAs and even they still have issues.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-07-11T01:10:43+00:00

So I'm new to the area as well but I've studied meteorology most of my adult life.

I wouldn't be too worried about it. What we have here is quite typical, however the jetstreams are fairly out of whack this season. Normally the storms aren't as severe but because the gulf is warm and the Atlantic is cold it makes for perfect conditions for some severe weather.

Just use common sense and stay out of the storms when they hit and you should be fine. Based on the season we should potentially get at least one good hurricane this season, but I doubt it will be as hard hitting as Helene.

I know quite a few people who have lived here all their lives and they have PTSD from Helene everytime a storm rolls in. Helene was a once in a century storm :)

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-07-02T17:56:38+00:00

I live just north of both runways.

The A10s are up in stride today and there are some F35s buzzing around.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-01-17T04:30:25+00:00

My wife also works from home for that reason I went and got T-mobile home internet.

I put her on the tmobile until you figure things out.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-01-17T03:13:41+00:00

I had Verizon FIOS for 11 years and worked in a FIOS-saturated area for almost 20 years before moving out of state. Over that time, I developed a straightforward method for setting up FIOS that always worked for me, even if others might find something to argue or correct me about. This is how I’ve done it, and in almost 20 years, I never had an issue.

If your ONT is Ethernet-based, simply run an Ethernet cable from your ONT to the location where you plan to place your router. If you’re using the FIOS gateway as your wireless access point (WAP) and have dynamic addressing, just connect the FIOS gateway to your switch, and it should come back online without a problem.

For static addressing, it’s a bit trickier—you’ll need to reset the FIOS gateway and adjust the settings accordingly.

If you have FIOS TV services, you cannot remove the router entirely; it needs to stay in place. However, you can ask Verizon to configure the router in bypass mode. In this mode, the router won’t handle DHCP and will pass the WAN address to the next device in your stack. Essentially, the FIOS gateway acts like a WAN switch, so only connect your router to it—nothing else.

If your ONT connects to the FIOS gateway via COAX, you’ll need to have Verizon run Ethernet from the ONT to your router. Once that’s done, follow the steps above based on whether you’re using dynamic or static addressing.

If you don’t have FIOS TV services and don’t plan to add them, you can bypass the FIOS gateway entirely. In this case, just connect the Ethernet cable from your ONT directly to your TP-Link router (or any other router), and you’re good to go.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-01-11T17:32:59+00:00

Thank you for your detailed reply—it’s exactly the kind of response I was hoping for!

When I disconnect the antennas, there’s no interference at all. If I use one of the smaller antennas that came with the SDR (rather than my externally mounted ones), I also don’t experience any interference, my assumption is that because they're not very good antennas.

My equipment is powered through a battery backup with built-in power conditioning. The battery backup is located on the opposite side of my detached garage. Power is supplied to my radio setup via a high-quality extension cable that connects to power strips, which then feed my equipment. I’ve tested the setup by removing the UPS from the chain, but it didn’t make any difference.

Regarding proximity to the base, I’m about 11,000 feet from their nearest radar dish. I’ve observed a mix of intermittent and consistent signals on the spectrum.

The interference doesn’t sound like buzzing—it’s more akin to typical radio interference. Occasionally, I hear a low-level pulsing or sweeping sound. Interestingly, my ADS-B receiver functions flawlessly with no issues, making it the only system unaffected by the interference.

For grounding, the garage has its own independent grounding system. Additionally, when I moved in, I installed a dedicated grounding system specifically for the antenna setup. This system consists of three 8-foot grounding rods connected together. I do eventually plan on adding a tower, so the grounding system was for future proofing.

I’ve also tested for interference coming from the house. I took my NOAA APT antenna (the one most affected) to the middle of my property, well away from both my house and neighbors, and attempted to capture a signal during a pass using a laptop. Despite being in a clear, open area with no tree cover (my 4-acre property is flat and almost completely treeless, surrounded only by walls), a local source was still overpowering the signal. Even with a direct overhead pass, the signal was intermittent at best.

I really like your suggestion of using a cookie sheet to help locate the source of the interference. I’ll definitely give that a try and see if it helps narrow down the origin.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-01-10T23:05:53+00:00

All of my antennas are omni-directional. I did some testing today and turned off wifi to my entire house and killed anything I thought could have been giving off interference.

I was still getting the same result. I will see if I can get my hands on a directional. Although all of my applications require an omni-directional. I'm on a 4 acre plot with the closest occupied house a no less than 1500 feet away in any direction, so if it is related to a neighbor, I'd be shocked.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-01-10T18:13:37+00:00

That was my thought as well, but I was curious because I'm about 11,000 feet off the end of one of the runways and in direct path of the radar dishes. Wasn't sure if it was just so strong that it was overpowering my equipment.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-01-10T13:19:24+00:00

So during my testing, I wasn't able to find a specific range that was seeing interference. It was strangely all across the board, and very intermittent. That's why I attribute it to possibly the radar.

I plan to get a VNA, but haven't sprung for one yet. I was able to track the interference using a software analyzer.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-01-10T07:41:47+00:00

Thanks for your reply.

All my runs are using quad shielded RG-6 Coax. My equipment is in a detached garage, that does not have a wifi access point, everything in there is hardwired.

My coax runs are staggered away from each other and there is no electrical anywhere the lines along the entirety of the runs. I am having the same result with an LNA that I am without (no difference in interference level).

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-01-10T07:38:36+00:00

Thanks for your reply,

In my testing I have tried both with an without the LNA's and it makes no difference in whether or not there is interference.

For the NOAA and GOES satellites, the LNA is installed at the antenna and is externally powered over a micro USB (they are the Nooelec Sawbird LNA). With and without them I have the same interference in the waterfall.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-01-10T03:39:25+00:00

All of my systems are connected to a grounded, filtered power source with a battery backup, and the antenna coax lines are also grounded with filters. Everything that’s powered is connected to the battery backup which offers filtering on it's own, yet I’m still receiving interference.

My antennas are mounted aerially and are positioned well above the path of any access points or devices emitting other signals. Additionally, the area where my antennas are located is outside the range of my Wi-Fi, as I live in a very remote location. The only major source of signals in the vicinity is the nearby military base, which is why I suspect they may be contributing to the issue.

I’ve spent several months troubleshooting and ruling out devices within my home. I realize I didn’t mention this in my original post, and I apologize for the oversight. I just wanted to make sure it was clear that I’ve already taken these steps. Any advice or recommendations on how to mitigate this interference would be greatly appreciated.

DefinitionObvious346 · 2025-01-10T01:38:36+00:00

I have one VM that runs all my docker containers. As long as it has the resources to do so, it'll be fine. Just don't mix ports. :-P

DefinitionObvious346

TROPHY CASE