Tracking Aircraft with SDR

• Summary
• What it looks like
• NooElec NESDR Mini 2 SDR
• Driver Installation
• rtl1090 Setup
• Virtual Radar Setup

Summary

In this guide I will walk through the setup and installation of drivers and software required to allow a NooElec NESDR Mini 2 SDR to visually track local aircraft. This device is intended to be a both a Digital TV receiver and a Software Defined Radio. You can find them under $50 USD on Amazon / Ebay.

What it looks like

NooElec NESDR Mini 2 SDR

Driver Installation

1. Plug in the device and open Device Manager, you should see 2 devices listed similar to the picture below.

2. Download and run the file https://www.nooelec.com/store/downloads/dl/file/id/56/product/204/nesdr_driver_installer_for_windows.exe
3. Select Yes to allow Zadig to check for application updates online.

4. Select Options then List All Devices

5. Select the option Bulk-In, Interface (Interface 0) or the correct device which may vary. Consult the driver installation documentation for further details. If the USB ID starts with OBDA you have likely selected the correct device. Then click on the Install Driver button.

6. You should see the Installing Driver window popup.

7. After a short amount of time you should see a popup to confirm the driver installation was successful.

8. If you navigate back to Device Manager you should see the device listed under Universal Serial Bus devices with a driver installed.

rtl1090 Setup

1. Download the file. https://www.jetvision.de/manuals/rtl1090a.zip then extract the contents of the zip file.
2. Download the file. https://osmocom.org/attachments/download/2242/RelWithDebInfo.zip then extract the contents of the zip file.
3. In the folder where you extracted the contents of the RelWithDebInfo.zip file navigate to the x32 subfolder and copy the files rtlsdr.dll & libusb-1.0.dll. Hold the ctrl key and select both files then right click and select copy.

4. In the folder where rtl1090a.zip was extracted right click and select paste.

5. The directory should now look like the picture below.

6. You can now start the rtl1090.exe file and you should see the application popup like below.

7. Click on the Start button and you should see a popup for the Windows Firewall. Click Allow Access as rtl1090 opens a port and this will be required to communicate with Virtual Radar later.

8. You should see that the rtl1090 application is receiving data if your aerial is connected and you are within range of aircraft.

Virtual Radar Setup

1. Download and run the file https://www.virtualradarserver.co.uk/Files/VirtualRadarSetup.exe
2. Accept the agreement and click ‘Next’.

3. Click Next again.

4. Click Next again.

5. Leave the port as the default option of 80 and click Next.

6. Click Next to accept the default option.

7. This option is only required if other computer on the same network need to access Virtual Radar. Unless you specifically require this it’s best to leave it unchecked the click Next.

8. Select Install.

9. Select Finish to complete installation.

10. Click on the Start menu and then select Virtual Radar.

11. Select Download and install this feature if you are prompted.

12. Click Close once done.

13. If .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) was required to be installed. You may have to start Virtual Radar from the Start Menu again.
14. Once Virtual Radar has loaded select Tools then Options.

15. Select Receivers -> Receiver.

16. Change the Format option to be AVR or Beast Raw Feed. Also change the Port option to be 31001.

17. Click on the Test Connection button and you should see a popup like the one below indicating that the connection was successful.

18. Click OK to close the options.

19. You should now see the number in the Feed status section changing indicating that the rtl1090 program is sending data to Virtual Radar.

20. Click on the link highlighted below to view the map.

21. The map seems to default to Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom so you may have to navigate on the map to your location.

22. If there are aircraft in range you should see them visually plotted on the map.