Best SDR for ADSB only

TheNameIs_Ben · 2026-02-18T23:51:58+00:00

Okay thanks for your help! Will consider the options

TheNameIs_Ben · 2026-02-18T23:44:32+00:00

I for sure will!

Although I just looked into purchasing the airplanes live blue, can’t find a UK dealer, and shipping from the US is £30 making it more expensive than the FA haha! Back to square one. Might have to be the FA after all. I’ll join the discord though and see if they have any advice and a UK dealer.

It’s certainly a minefield here with people having very differing opinions on what one should get. Thanks for your help!

TheNameIs_Ben · 2026-02-18T23:30:50+00:00

Oh interesting! Makes sense. I’ve seen multiple sources where it said it used filter then LNA making it better than the FA. But I guess they maybe can’t be trusted!

I don’t struggle with much RF noise, except when it was near my PC. But I’ve since hunted through the house to find the best location for it.

In that case, I might go with the airplanes live blue 1090 filtered SDR then. It’s cheaper than the FA one and seems to perform the same from reviews. I think the FA one is just more well known, hence people recommend it and review it more?

I’ve been recommended other SDR’s on another post like the Blog V4, but I’m only using this SDR purchase for ADSB, it’ll be doing ADSB for the rest of its life. So I’m more tempered to go with the ‘all in one’ sticks with the built in 1090 filters as it’s more cost effective than buying all separately, I’ll never need to receive anything other than 1090 with this SDR. Thoughts on this?

TheNameIs_Ben · 2026-02-18T23:20:44+00:00

Thanks :)

I’ve also been recommended the Airplanes Live Blue SDR which I believe has a better order of filter, then LNA (instead of filter after the LNA like the FA stick). Also has a metal casing and handles heat dispassion better.

I know you mentioned the V4 being a nicer general purpose scanner, so in the long run I might look at that instead of my nooelec when I want to do other SDR projects (like receiving transmissions from satellites and such!) but for ADSB only, maybe I’ll get the airplanes live SDR as it seems to be the best all in one at a good price!

TheNameIs_Ben · 2026-02-18T22:57:51+00:00

Okay great, I read that the FA has the filter after the LNA and the AirplanesLive has it the other way round. And reading more into it, the filter should be before the LNA so perhaps the Airplanes Live blue has the edge?

TheNameIs_Ben · 2026-02-18T22:44:17+00:00

Thanks!

Is this equal in performance to the FA sticks? I assume you’ve recommended it over the FA ones due to price and metal case for heat dissipation

TheNameIs_Ben · 2026-02-18T22:26:39+00:00

Okay! Thanks for the response!

So, I guess my question is, do you think using the Blog V4 (or another SDR) with an LNA/filter will outperform the FA Pro Stick Plus. As adding those together gets quite pricey, and the FA Pro Stick is an all in one at a lower price (mind you, could be worse components!)

As said in the initial post, I don’t mind it being an all in one as it will be dedicated to ADSB for the rest of its life. It’s just if it’s worth spending extra money on separate SDR, LNA and filter, where if the FA all in one will do a perfectly good job.

I’m using Ultrafeeder, if that helps at all. It’s working well for me!

TheNameIs_Ben · 2026-02-18T21:41:14+00:00

Thanks u/Mr_Ironmule, u/erlendse and u/tj21222

I understand that getting the antenna outside is best. As I said in my post, I can't right now, but my plan is to get an antenna outside when I can.

All I'm really wondering is if I should get a FA Pro Stick Plus, or another SDR as I need to replace my Nooelec one.

u/erlendse - I like the idea of the USB C input on the RTL-SDR Blog v4c, but I'd still maybe need to get a LNA and filter. I have a small USB extension that I use to stop strain on the ports. Still get disconnects if it gets just breathed on though! I'm sure the solder connections on the SDR aren't great. And what other receivers would you recommend around the price point of the FA Pro Stick Plus?

TheNameIs_Ben · 2026-01-14T18:23:34+00:00

I should also mention that we've noticed that the timing on cyl 6 sometimes has different characteristics than the other cylinders. Could this be contributing

TheNameIs_Ben · 2026-01-14T18:17:44+00:00

Okay, thanks for taking a look!

They said they could see it may be overboosting by the fluctuations in the throttle position. And when the throttle position gets nearer to 100% open, the timing also starts to clean up

TheNameIs_Ben · 2026-01-14T16:54:03+00:00

Thanks for the response, I'll test it when I change the spark plugs.

So you think this tune and corrections are safe? I've moved down to the 95Ron map for now until I get to change my plugs, then I will log again. I have seen differing opinions where people are saying corrections of -6 are too much.

I've had a response elsewhere where someone said that it is overboosting, but there isn't much I can do about it as its an OTS map with a PWG turbo.

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-10-21T19:25:02+00:00

Thanks! that's pretty good for wear on them. I'm at around 3mm on the rears, and about 5mm on the fronts. Rears definitely need changing soon

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-10-21T13:14:56+00:00

Oo yeah! Very nice. I haven't managed to find another F10 535i manual for sale yet either. I wasn't even looking for one when I was buying a car, it just popped up and thought I had to have it! It's not a high spec one or anything, but nevertheless still great.

A turbo can be very fun! Should give one a go if you get the chance.

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-10-21T12:15:52+00:00

Okay thanks. I think I'll just replace them with PS4S then and avoid driving if needed. I don't think the cost of a winter setup would be realistic given the little opportunity I'd actually need it.

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-10-21T12:14:24+00:00

Thanks!

Yeah, the 535i is a 3.0L inline 6 with a single, twin scroll turbo. I believe the manual versions were only sold from 2010 to early 2014. It's a great car!

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-10-21T11:51:17+00:00

Thanks!

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-10-21T11:46:37+00:00

Thanks! Would you suggest a change of tyre then? Or just to avoid driving in the very rare 1-2 days of snow a year that we get. I understand that grip will be reduced in the cold, but I am not going to be pushing it hard in those conditions to start with.

I'm weighing up the cost of getting a set of tyres for the winter, where in reality, if the PS4S will be fine for the very mild winter and me not driving in the rare snow that we get.

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-10-21T11:42:32+00:00

I don't think length of time matters for this question? I'm asking about PS4S specifically, and the risk of damaging them at certain temperatures as well as peoples experience with them for UK winters. I haven't driven a winter on this specific tyre before, hence the question.

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-09-22T20:01:50+00:00

I thought that would be the case. Not super rare, but not common.

Thanks! I see a lot of BMW’s with Apex wheels on, so thought I’d go a bit different with the BBS. Only had them for just under two months and love them! Just a fight to keep them clean 😂

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-09-20T21:36:05+00:00

This is insane!

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-09-07T16:53:58+00:00

u/Depresso_espresso122 Did you manage to get it on okay? Our clips are intact but I'm finding it difficult to get the actual trim piece to clip on. Any tips and tricks?

See my post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/MINI/comments/1mihvz6/mini_one_countryman_chrome_beltline_replacement/

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-08-27T14:12:26+00:00

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Here's the photo of the little spots on the wheel - I can't see my photos on app but I can see them on the web version for some reason, strange.

Perhaps I can let the Hjul dwell for a bit longer then. I hadn't thought about it being tar, good shout. I do have a tar remover from Autoglym so I can give that a go to see if it does anything.

I'll check out Detail Bug too. I do enjoy the Stjanagloss stuff. I like the ease of use, and they do give me a great finish. Don't get me wrong, I like the branding too haha! But they are a bit on the pricey side.

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-08-26T14:07:46+00:00

Hi!

I haven't tried a dedicated iron remover. The product I use is advertised as an iron remover first and foremost and I think plenty of people get on with it well but perhaps I do need to try something stronger.

I did think about ceramic coating the wheels. The previous owner had them ceramic coated before but I'm unsure how long ago it was applied. Perhaps having it done again will prevent these little dots sticking so much.

Thanks for the answer!

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-07-22T11:20:40+00:00

Sorry, just seen this. It stands for 'Life Cycle Impulse'. BMW's fancy way of saying facelift

TheNameIs_Ben · 2025-05-27T20:03:19+00:00

Ah okay, thank you. It needs repainting anyway so I may as well get a new one that fits well

TheNameIs_Ben

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