Viewing Air Traffic Control on PC

Andy_L

We had a widget that plugged into a PC & used the aircrafts transponder broadcasts to create the air picture. When the guy who played with it is back I'll find out it's name.

rjm2k1

I flew over Hull on the way into RobinHood at around 5000 feet, think it was exceptional though as we flew at that altitude for around an hour, saw most of humberside and Yorkshire and then proceeded to make a very scary, almost sideways landing due to high winds! One of the guys with us was a bit worried as he flys his microlight in that airspace and didn't fancy the thought of a jet flying up behind him!

Andy_L

No need to wait, a spot of googling and:
http://www.kinetic-avionics.co.uk/sbs-1.php

the SBS-1 Real time virtual radar

Retail site
http://www.hamradio.co.uk/acatalog/Av_RD_Kinetic_Avionics.html
£380 though. Same site sells air band radios from £80

roadster1

moonrakerz wrote: »

This may be of interest to you, although it only covers Heathrow.

And East Midlands Airport...... http://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/cms/173/webtrak.html

May be others?

Cerro

skintmostofthetime wrote: »

Just a thought - if Dave Hemmerman was a terrorist - you'd be giving him lots of help !!

If he was a terrorist he wouldn't need any help. I did an army officers course with the Royal Signals, showed us how easy it is to intercept communications. All you need is a long bit of metal and some tin foil - home made antena (or a scanner on the right frequencies - the range is published). The messaging system between control towers and planes are similar to the technology used in text messaging - its simply a case of having a computer display the text. And yes that works for text messages too, they are that easy to pick up. Almost as easy as picking up long distance phone calls - since they (mostly) go through a satalite, the footprint of your call is huge that anyone in the country and listen in on your call, if they so wish...

rygon

rjm2k1 wrote: »

I flew over Hull on the way into RobinHood at around 5000 feet, think it was exceptional though as we flew at that altitude for around an hour, saw most of humberside and Yorkshire and then proceeded to make a very scary, almost sideways landing due to high winds! One of the guys with us was a bit worried as he flys his microlight in that airspace and didn't fancy the thought of a jet flying up behind him!

Hes worried!! I open my parachute at that height:eek: . I hear the control tower from humberside through hibaldstows radio sometimes. A lot of problems we have is "weekend" pilots who dont know they are entering our airspace for one reason or another

seaweasel

skintmostofthetime wrote: »

Just a thought - if Dave Hemmerman was a terrorist - you'd be giving him lots of help !!

Don't be silly, Dave doesn't sound like an Islamic name, how can he be a terrorist?

D.K.

It's a bit scary to think you can be breaking the law by listening. Surely if you don't want to be heard don't speak, or scramble the transmition or something.
Scanners are not illegal so how would someone know what it has picked up without listening.
I remember pirate radio. Everyone listened and no one said it was illegal.

Sorry, got to go.There's a knock on my door...

marleyboy

roadster1 wrote: »

And East Midlands Airport...... http://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/cms/173/webtrak.html

May be others?

Is ther one for Manchester Int Airport?

bagand96

BAA also have the Webtrak software available for their Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports.

Gatwick Webtrak
Heathrow Webtrak
Stansted Webtrak

marleyboy wrote:

Is ther one for Manchester Int Airport?

I've looked and it doesn't appear so. Which is strange as Manchester Airport own East Midlands which does have it.

With regards to listening to ATC, its a grey area. Technically its not for general broadcast so shouldn't be listened to. However the scanners are widely available, and on any given day of the week there are many enthusiasts actually at airports with scanners listening in. I don't know of any cases of anyone being prosecuted for this?! It would be very easy to do so they are all at the airports ready for the taking! As long as you get a receiver only you can't cause any harm, so although technically you shouldn't I very much doubt you'll run into any trouble!