ADS-B Flight Scanner

Do you have an Android device that you would like to put to use? You can now set up and run your own mobile ADS-B ground station that can be used anywhere and receive real-time data directly from airplanes on your Android device.

It receives ADS-B data directly from airplane transponders via a small antenna connected to your Android device. This app then makes the real-time data available to view on your Android's screen, or optionally to any user on your local network if they point their web browser to your Android device's IP address.

Your mobile ADS-B station can run this Android app to track flights within 50-300 miles (line of sight, range depending on antenna).

Compilation Notes

This project is intended to be compiled with Android Studio 2.1 or higher. https://developer.android.com/studio/

No special build instructions are required, and all other code dependencies are already included.

Configuration files to support use of ProGuard to shrink the compiled APK as small as possible is also included, but this can be disabled if necessary or it is problematic.

Confirm your Android supports USB OTG

USB OTG is a requirement to run this app, however, most new devices released in the last couple of years are compatible with USB OTG.

Download and install OTG Troubleshooter on your Android device. http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homesoft.otgtroubshooter
Start the OTG Troubleshooter app.
Verify that the first field shows a green checkmark next to USB Host Support
Plug in the OTG cable/dock to your Android device.
The field that says OTG detected will have checkmark next to it if your device supports USB OTG.
Uninstall OTG Troubleshooter app once you have verified support.

USB OTG cable/dock

You must have a way to connect the USB-RTL dongle to your Android device. This is typically done using a USB On-The-Go (OTG) cable or docking station that is compatible with your Android device.

Most USB OTG Cable/Docks do not support simultaneous charging or have limited Android model compatibility. You might need to purchase a different USB OTG Cable/Dock that is compatible with your Android device.

We strongly recommend that you use a OTG cable/dock that allows your phone to be charged at the same time because tracking flights will fully drain the battery on your device very quickly (usually in less than an hour).

The following USB OTG cables or docks also support simultaneous Android charging for some devices:

ZhiZhu OTG Charger Dock for Samsung Galaxy S5 S4 S3 Note 4 3 2 http://www.amazon.com/ZhiZhu-Charger-Charge-Charging-Samsung/dp/B00OTHNLUQ?tag=fligh01-20
Valarm Micro USB Host OTG Y-Cable with Micro USB Power Charging for Samsung Phones - Supports charging for some Galaxy devices http://shop.valarm.net/products/micro-usb-host-otg-y-cable-with-micro-usb-power-for-samsung
Micro USB Host OTG Cable with Micro USB Power - NOTE: This model does not supply power to the phone itself http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CXAC1ZW?tag=fligh01-20

If your Android phone/tablet supports wireless (Qi) recharging, then that may be another way to power your device and simultaneously use the USB port for connecting to the DVB-T dongle, if you are unable to find a compatible USB OTG cable that also supports supplying power. This method will require having a non-powered USB OTG cable, a wireless charging dock, and a wireless power receiver if your device did not originally come with it.

RTL-SDR Dongle

You must also purchase an ADS-B (DVB-T) Receiver USB Dongle with Antenna.

List of supported USB RTL-SDR dongles:

Generic RTL2832U
Generic RTL2832U OEM
FlightAware Pro Stick -- https://flightaware.com/adsb/prostick/
DigitalNow Quad DVB-T PCI-E card
Leadtek WinFast DTV Dongle mini D
Genius TVGo DVB-T03 USB dongle (Ver. B)
Terratec Cinergy T Stick Black (rev 1)
Terratec NOXON DAB/DAB+ USB dongle (rev 1)
Terratec Deutschlandradio DAB Stick
Terratec NOXON DAB Stick - Radio Energy
Terratec Media Broadcast DAB Stick
Terratec BR DAB Stick
Terratec WDR DAB Stick
Terratec MuellerVerlag DAB Stick
Terratec Fraunhofer DAB Stick
Terratec Cinergy T Stick RC (Rev.3)
Terratec T Stick PLUS
Terratec NOXON DAB/DAB+ USB dongle (rev 2)
PixelView PV-DT235U(RN)
Astrometa DVB-T/DVB-T2
Compro Videomate U620F
Compro Videomate U650F
Compro Videomate U680F
GIGABYTE GT-U7300
DIKOM USB-DVBT HD
Peak 102569AGPK
KWorld KW-UB450-T USB DVB-T Pico TV
Zaapa ZT-MINDVBZP
SVEON STV20 DVB-T USB & FM
Twintech UT-40
ASUS U3100MINI_PLUS_V2
SVEON STV27 DVB-T USB & FM
SVEON STV21 DVB-T USB & FM
Dexatek DK DVB-T Dongle (Logilink VG0002A)
Dexatek DK DVB-T Dongle (MSI DigiVox mini II V3.0)
Dexatek Technology Ltd. DK 5217 DVB-T Dongle
MSI DigiVox Micro HD
Sweex DVB-T USB
GTek T803
Lifeview LV5TDeluxe
MyGica TD312
PROlectrix DV107669

App History

This app was originally developed by FlightAware in October 2014, as an experiment to see if there was community interest in using Android hardware to collect ADS-B aircraft data. Its implementation was based loosely off of several existing projects, notably by translating portions of dump1090 and dump978 to Java.

The versions of this app initially published by FlightAware were called "FlightFeeder for Android" and included networking capability to upload received aircraft positions to the FlightAware ADS-B network.

Ultimately, it was found that only a very small number of users were willing to dedicate old Android devices to running the app on a regular basis, and that it was easier to use a Raspberry Pi device for permanently installed receivers. https://flightaware.com/adsb/piaware/build

FlightAware then announced that on September 15, 2016 this app would be released as Open Source, and rebranded as "ADS-B Flight Scanner". Additionally, the Open Source version would remove its support for uploading aircraft positions to the FlightAware network, due to known data quality and backend support burden issues. https://discussions.flightaware.com/ads-b-flight-tracking-f21/flightfeeder-android-update-t37736.html