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Nooelec Ads B Receiver

Nooelec NESDR Mini USB RTL-SDR & ADS-B Receiver Set, RTL2832U

  • Included: Nooelec USB dongle & antenna
  • RTL2832U interface IC & R820T tuner IC on USB dongle
  • These are custom USB devices tuned for SDR and include much better components than generics
  • Full 1-year warranty & installation support available!

Everything You Need to Know Before Purchasing an ADS-B Receiver from Nooelec

The Nooelec ADS-B receiver has become an incredibly popular choice for tracking aircraft and feeding data to flight tracking services like FlightAware. But what exactly is an ADS-B receiver, and why has the Nooelec model gained such an avid following among enthusiasts?

In this comprehensive buying guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before purchasing a Nooelec ADS-B receiver, including how it works, where to buy, setup, compatibility, included accessories, price, performance, and more. Let’s get started!

What is a Nooelec ADS-B Receiver?

ADS-B stands for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, which is a system used by most modern aircraft to broadcast their GPS location and other flight data.

Aircraft equipped with ADS-B transmit this data on either 1090 MHz or 978 MHz frequencies, which can be picked up by an ADS-B receiver like those made by Nooelec.

The Nooelec ADS-B receivers are USB dongles designed specifically to receive these ADS-B signals at 1090 MHz and 978 MHz. They plug into your computer via USB, and with the proper software, allow you to track aircraft movement and flight data in real-time.

Nooelec produces several versions of their ADS-B receivers, from entry-level models to higher-end receivers with improved range and capabilities. But all models are capable of tracking aircraft when paired with ADS-B decoding software.

How Does the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver Work?

The Nooelec ADS-B receiver contains an RTL2832U chipset and R820T2 tuner which allows it to tune into the 1090 MHz and 978 MHz ADS-B frequencies.

When an aircraft within range transmits ADS-B data on these frequencies, the Nooelec receiver picks up the signal via the attached antenna. Most receivers from Nooelec require an external antenna to pick up ADS-B signals.

The receiver then takes the ADS-B signal and sends the binary data to ADS-B decoding software running on your computer. This software, such as PlanePlotter, RTL1090, or VirtualRadar, then decodes the hex signal and extracts the aircraft flight data like callsign, altitude, speed, heading, etc.

This data can then be viewed on your computer as aircraft icons moving across a map, showing their real-time position and flight information as they fly overhead. The Nooelec receiver continuously scans for ADS-B signals as long as it remains connected to the ADS-B software via USB.

Where Can I Buy a Nooelec ADS-B Receiver?

Nooelec ADS-B receivers can be purchased directly from the Nooelec website at www.nooelec.com. Amazon and other online electronics retailers also frequently carry Nooelec’s ADS-B products.

When buying directly from Nooelec, you’ll often have the option to purchase bundled packages that include the ADS-B receiver along with the required antenna and sometimes other accessories like coax cable and mounts. This helps provide an all-in-one ADS-B package.

Some of their most popular ADS-B receiver models offered by Nooelec include:

Make sure to also purchase a suitable antenna like the FlightAware 1090 MHz antenna for best reception, along with coax cable and any required mounts. An antenna is required for most setups.

What is the Range of a Nooelec ADS-B Receiver?

The range of the Nooelec ADS-B receiver depends on several factors:

With an optimal setup using a high-end receiver and proper antenna placement, you can expect to track aircraft reliably up to 150+ miles away depending on aircraft altitude. Lower flying planes will be visible at closer ranges.

For most hobbyists, a range of 60-90 miles is typical with consumer-grade equipment. With poorer equipment or setups, your range may be limited to 30 miles or less. Improving your antenna and location will increase your Aircraft tracking range.

Is the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver Compatible with FlightAware?

Yes, the Nooelec ADS-B receivers are fully compatible with the popular flight tracking service FlightAware. The Pro Stick Plus from FlightAware is actually based on the Nooelec NESDR SMArt hardware and drivers.

To feed data from your Nooelec receiver to FlightAware, you’ll need to run PiAware or FlightAware’s Feeder software. This sends the ADS-B data received by your Nooelec receiver to FlightAware’s servers for aggregation on their public flight tracking platform.

FlightAware provides their own optimized software and instructions for setting up a PiAware feeder with a Nooelec receiver. Just signup for a FlightAware feeder account and input your receiver’s identifier during setup.

Integrating your Nooelec receiver with FlightAware allows you to contribute to worldwide aircraft tracking while viewing flights from your receiver on FlightAware’s website and app. It’s a great way to make use of the data from your Nooelec ADS-B receiver.

How Do I Set Up a Nooelec ADS-B Receiver?

Setting up your new Nooelec ADS-B receiver is straightforward:

  1. Install ADS-B software – Begin by downloading and installing ADS-B decoding software like PlanePlotter, RTL1090, VirtualRadar, etc.
  2. Plug in receiver – Next, connect the Nooelec receiver to your computer via USB. Windows should automatically install required drivers.
  3. Attach antenna – Connect your external antenna to the SMA connector on the Nooelec receiver using coax cable rated for 1090 MHz.
  4. Configure software – Open your ADS-B software and select the Nooelec receiver as your data source. Configure settings as needed.
  5. Check reception – Your software should now begin receiving and decoding ADS-B signals. Confirm aircraft are being tracked on the map.
  6. Improve reception – Adjust antenna position, location, or settings to improve range. An outdoor roof antenna works best.

Refer to Nooelec’s guides for help getting their receivers set up with various software. And consult your software’s instructions for configuration.

Can I Use the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver with Raspberry Pi?

Yes, Nooelec’s ADS-B receivers are fully compatible with the Raspberry Pi and often used together. To set up a Pi-based ADS-B station, you’ll need:

You can run the free PiAware software on your Raspberry Pi which will decode ADS-B signals from your Nooelec receiver and display aircraft data. PiAware also optionally uploads data to FlightAware.

Raspberry Pi OS includes PiAware in the default image. Just plug in your Nooelec receiver, configure PiAware, and attach an external antenna to begin tracking planes. Raspbian and other Pi OS’s also work well.

The Raspberry Pi processes ADS-B signals quickly and integrates neatly with Nooelec receivers. It provides an affordable, compact ADS-B station perfect for aviation enthusiasts!

What Software is Compatible with the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver?

The Nooelec ADS-B receivers are compatible with a wide variety of ADS-B decoding and display software. Some popular options include:

Be sure to check your desired software’s requirements to ensure compatibility with your model of Nooelec receiver before purchasing.

Does the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver Require an External Antenna?

Most Nooelec ADS-B receivers do require an external antenna in order to pick up ADS-B signals reliably.

The exception is the Nooelec NESDR Nano 3 which has a built-in antenna – however its small internal antenna has limited range.

For best performance with models like the SMArt XTR or SMArt Bundle, an external antenna connected via SMA coax cable is recommended. This vastly improves reception compared to the build in antenna on the Nano 3 model.

Popular antenna choices include:

Aim for an antenna rated for 1090 MHz frequencies. Outdoor mounting is ideal, but indoor setups can work if necessary. Antenna placement is key for good results.

What is Included in the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver Kit?

When you purchase a Nooelec ADS-B receiver, here are the typical included components:

The receiver, USB cable, and SMA pigtail are the basic essentials. Antennas, coax, and any antennas must be purchased separately in most cases. Some bundles do include antennas.

Always double check full contents of the specific Nooelec ADS-B receiver package prior to purchasing. Models vary slightly.

How Much Does the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver Cost?

Nooelec ADS-B receivers range in price from around $20 to $175 USD depending on the model:

Other accessories like antennas and cables will be additional expenses. Budget $60+ for a good external antenna.

For most hobbyists, the base Nano 3 or SMArt XTR models around $75 provide good performance if paired with a decent antenna. Higher priced “pro” receivers only offer marginal improvements for casual users.

Consider paying a little more for the SMArt XTR or bundled kits which include better antennas and accessories for the best out-of-box experience. But even the cheaper Nano 3 can work well.

For reference, the FlightAware Pro Stick Plus (a Nooelec receiver) retails for $184 direct from FlightAware with antennas.

Is the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver Suitable for Beginners?

Absolutely! The Nooelec ADS-B receivers are an excellent choice for beginners thanks to their plug-and-play USB design and compatibility with easy-to-use software options.

We recommend the following for beginners:

The Nooelec receivers themselves only take minutes to get running. Most of the learning curve is becoming familiar with configuring and using the ADS-B software of your choice.

Overall, the Nooelec lineup offers beginner-friendly ADS-B receivers capable of satisfying newbies and experts alike. Avoid the cheapest options, but spending more isn’t necessary.

What Frequencies Does the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver Support?

The Nooelec ADS-B receivers support both 1090 MHz and 978 MHz frequencies used for ADS-B plane tracking.

Specifically, the receivers utilize an R820T2 tuner chipset capable of tuning to:

This dual-band coverage allows the Nooelec receivers to pick up both 1090 MHz and 978 UAT signals simultaneously when configured with ADS-B software like RTL1090 or PlanePlotter.

Many cheaper RTL-SDR dongles lack 978 MHz support, limiting them to only 1090 MHz aircraft tracking.

The Nooelec models have no issues with 978 MHz UAT reception, a key advantage. This ensures reception of both types of ADS-B signals used by US aircraft.

How Does the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver Compare to Other ADS-B Receivers?

The Nooelec receivers compare quite favorably to most other low-cost ADS-B receivers on the market:

Pros

Cons

Higher-end SDRs from Airspy and SDRplay offer better sensitivity, filtering, and shielding for a few hundred dollars more. But for hobbyists, Nooelec provides phenomenal performance-per-dollar.

Overall, it’s extremely difficult to beat the price-to-performance ratio of the Nooelec ADS-B receivers – making them a top choice for beginners and experts alike. Compatibility with PiAware and FlightAware are just icing on the cake.

Are There Reviews for the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver?

There are countless reviews for the Nooelec line of ADS-B receivers across websites, blogs, YouTube channels, forums, and online retailers.

Here are some recommended third-party reviews to evaluate real user experiences:

In addition to third party reviews, be sure to watch demo videos from Nooelec themselves which highlight the setup process and aircraft tracking capabilities using their receivers.

The overwhelming consensus across Nooelec ADS-B receiver reviews is that they provide exceptional performance for the money compared to more expensive SDRs. Most reviewers have had great experiences with their Nooelec ADS-B receiver.

Can the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver Track Live Aircraft?

Absolutely! The Nooelec ADS-B receivers are designed specifically to receive live ADS-B broadcasts from real aircraft flying overhead.

Simply set up the Nooelec receiver, connect it to ADS-B software like PlanePlotter or Virtual Radar, and attach an appropriate 1090 MHz antenna.

Once configured, your Nooelec receiver will detect ADS-B transmissions from aircraft within range and plot them on a map in real time. You’ll see live airliner, private plane, and even military aircraft traffic on screen.

The Nooelec receiver combined with proper software and antennas can feed you up-to-date flight data like callsign, altitude, speed, etc. as planes pass overhead. It brings a real plane tracking radar right to your home!

For best results, use an outdoor antenna in a high unobstructed location. This allows maximum range to receive live plane feeds up to 150+ miles away depending on conditions.

Does the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver Support 1090 MHz and 978 MHz?

As mentioned previously, the Nooelec ADS-B receivers support both 1090 MHz and 978 MHz frequencies in a single device.

This includes reception of both:

So the Nooelec models like the Nano 3 or SMArt XTR can tune to both key ADS-B data link frequencies simultaneously.

This dual-band support ensures you can pick up all ADS-B signals from both larger commercial transponders at 1090 MHz and smaller private aircraft using 978 MHz.

Many cheaper RTL-SDR dongles lack 978 MHz support. But Nooelec’s receivers contain R820T2 tuners with native 1090 and 978 MHz reception – a major advantage.

What is the Best Antenna to Use with the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver?

The FlightAware 1090 MHz ADS-B Antenna is by far the best external antenna to pair with a Nooelec ADS-B receiver.

This is a highly optimized outdoor directional antenna specifically tuned for peak performance at the 1090 MHz frequency used by ADS-B systems worldwide.

The FlightAware ADS-B antenna provides around 9 dBi forward gain along with excellent front-to-back ratio for rejecting noise and interference. This results in maximum range and aircraft reception.

Other solid antennas to consider include:

For most users, the FlightAware ADS-B antenna offers the best blend of performance, value, and ease of use with the Nooelec receivers. It’s an ideal match.

Can the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver be Used for SDR (Software Defined Radio)?

The Nooelec devices are SDR (Software Defined Radio) receivers, so they can technically be used for many common SDR applications beyond just ADS-B tracking.

For example, you could tune to other frequencies like police/fire bands, FM radio, pager signals, etc. using SDR software like SDR#, SDR Console, or HDSDR.

However, since the Nooelec dongles are designed specifically for optimal ADS-B reception, they may not provide the best performance as general wideband SDR receivers.

Higher-end SDRs with better filtering and RF shielding are recommended for wideband frequency exploration outside of ADS-B bands.

But for quickly sampling nearby signals or listening to strong local RF sources, the Nooelec units can serve as entry-level SDR receivers when not in use for aircraft tracking.

What is the Power Requirement for the Nooelec ADS-B Receiver?

The Nooelec ADS-B receivers like the Nano 3 and SMArt XTR models are all USB-powered, pulling 100 mA at 5V maximum from the USB port.

So they can be powered directly by:

No external power is required – just plug the included USB cable into any USB port or charger.

The only exception is if you buy a “bare bones” version without the USB cable. In this case you’d need a 5V power source to connect directly to the PCB.

Otherwise, the standard Nooelec receivers come USB ready and do not need external power. The USB port provides ample power for the receiver.

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