Flight Aware ADSB Server Receiver / General Purpose SDR Server

Using a PC-Engines ALIX Board as a remote SDR server.

We are all familiar with low cost SDR USB adaptors. The RTL-SDR is ubiquitous and can be purchased from £15 and upwards. It represents a very cost-effective way of experimenting with software defined receivers and basic units tune from approximately 25MHz upwards of 1.5GHz. Some units have transverters taking coverage into HF and for under £40 you can get 150KHz to 1.7GHz coverage.

VHF-UHF example http://www.nooelec.com/store/sdr/sdr-receivers/nesdr-smart-sdr.html

HF Example  http://www.nooelec.com/store/sdr/sdr-addons/ham-it-up-plus-pcb.html

Usage

One of the problems with these devices is noise. Given that you need to plug them into a USB port on a PC there is plenty of interference to be had. Close to monitors and other noise sources such as the CPU, HDD and motherboard the SDR novelty soon wears off.

Trying to extend the USB with a USB extension just picks up more noise, so many amateurs and SWLs look at using a small remote PC such as a Raspberry Pi and taking a network cable back to the router. The Raspberry Pi is inexpensive but does not handle network and USB performance particularly well. The implementations of remote SDR server software that on Pi3s have given poor results. The results from the ALIX based board from PC Engines are far superior.

NOTE: The ALIX Board supplied is a reconditioned unit. We still warranty for 6 months (not including the supplied CF Memory card)

• ADSB server 
• General Purpose SDR Server
• 12V 1A Power Supply Required
• RTL-SDR Dongle required
• CF Memory - Included
• Weight 450g 
• CPU: 500 MHz AMD Geode LX
• DRAM: 256 MB SDRAM on board
• Storage: CompactFlash socket, 44 pin IDE
• Power: 12V DC, DC-DC converter on board.
• Expansion: miniPCI + 3.3V PCI + LPC + optional I2C
• Connectivity: 3 Ethernet (Via VT6105M 10/100)
• I/O: 2 USB,
• Board size: 6.7 x 6.7" (miniITX), low profile.
• Firmware: Award BIOS

This unit is a dedicated ADSB server that uses standard RTL-SDR dongles for reception. It is a fully functioning server that means you do not need to have your PC on to receive flight information. Instead, this compact server provides a web interface that you can access on your home network by Smart Phone, Laptop or even a Smart TV.

Based on the PCEngines ALIX board this industrial spec mini computer is fully shielded in an aluminium enclosure to reduce RFI noise. Simply plug an RTL-SDR dongle into the USB port (there are two) and power with a 12v power supply. (Center pin positive) The unit will boot up into run mode and will be ready to receive.

A full set of instructions can be downloaded here.