Author Topic: Scanner with multiple But independent frequency output feeds ?  (Read 11507 times)

Offline JAS39Gripen

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Hi all,

Are there scanners, who have multiple frequency feed output?  

What I mean is, can One (1) scanner be connected to a computer to feed 2, 3 .. or X Busy Uninterrupted separate streams to LiveATC ?

How is this function called?

Option of one scanner and 5 streams .. with 1 priority and 4 stby channels is not an option this time.
« Last Edit: April 07, 2015, 10:01:55 AM by JAS39Gripen »



Offline dave

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Re: Scanner with multiple But independent frequency output feeds ?
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2015, 10:50:53 AM »
There is no commercially available scanner radio that will do what you describe.  However, we are actively ding what you describe with a combination of the following:

1) Raspberry Pi computer
2) RTL2832 SDR dongle
3) RTLSDR-Airband software
4) External antenna connected to RTL2832 SDR dongle

A single RTL dongle can tune up to 8 frequencies and provide a separate feed for each frequency.  The caveat, though, is that the RTL2832 SDR receiver can only tune a 2.5 MHz bandwidth.  What that means is that you have to pick a center frequency and then that dongle can only tune +/- 1.25 MHz from the center frequency. 

You can add a second dongle tuned to a second center frequency.  A single Raspberry Pi and RTLSDR-Airband can support up to two dongles per Pi.

So whether this is practical all depends on what frequencies you are trying to monitor.

Dave

Offline JAS39Gripen

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Re: Scanner with multiple But independent frequency output feeds ?
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2015, 11:00:32 AM »
Local GND APP ACC .. nothing else. range 118- 140Mhz..

What is then the best option, to feed liveATC with just one device (scanner), or 1 setup, for GND, TWR, APP (2 freqs), ACC (3 freqs) in total 7 freqs. In worst case only 5 freqs are essential. They tend to be busy in some parts of the day.
« Last Edit: April 07, 2015, 11:02:57 AM by JAS39Gripen »

Offline dave

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Re: Scanner with multiple But independent frequency output feeds ?
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2015, 11:09:35 AM »
Local GND APP ACC .. nothing else. range 118- 140Mhz..

What is then the best option, to feed liveATC with just one device (scanner), or 1 setup, for GND, TWR, APP (2 freqs), ACC (3 freqs) in total 7 freqs. In worst case only 5 freqs are essential. They tend to be busy in some parts of the day.

It all depends on:

1) The exact frequencies
2) The relative activity on those frequencies

So...what are the exact frequencies?

Offline JAS39Gripen

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Re: Scanner with multiple But independent frequency output feeds ?
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2015, 01:12:18 PM »
Here they are:
118.800 GND
118.100 TWR
129.925 APP
134.850 APP
135.100 ACC
134.750 ACC
133.200 ACC
124.800 ATIS

All are active "at once", when rush hour traffic goes in and out from airport with one RWY 4 times a day, all are more or less busy in that time frame (2h), outside rush our time, they are less busy.

By any (easy) chance, would be great to have them all on feed.
By priority.. GND, ACC (1 or 2/3), APP, TWR.
« Last Edit: April 07, 2015, 01:23:46 PM by JAS39Gripen »

Offline dave

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Re: Scanner with multiple But independent frequency output feeds ?
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2015, 01:31:20 PM »
Here they are:
118.800 GND
118.100 TWR
129.925 APP
134.850 APP
135.100 ACC
134.750 ACC
133.200 ACC
124.800 ATIS

All are active "at once", when rush hour traffic goes in and out from airport with one RWY 4 times a day, all are more or less busy in that time frame (2h), outside rush our time, they are less busy.

By any (easy) chance, would be great to have them all on feed.
By priority.. GND, ACC (1 or 2/3), APP, TWR.

Unfortunately the frequencies are all over the band.

Ground and Tower can be done on a single dongle.

These could be done on a separate dongle:

134.850 APP
135.100 ACC
134.750 ACC
133.200 ACC
Note: 129.925 is out of range for this dongle so if that frequency is important probably not a good solution

ATIS would be out of range for both dongles.

So a single Pi with two RTL dongles could get most of what you want, except for one frequency.


Offline JAS39Gripen

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Re: Scanner with multiple But independent frequency output feeds ?
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2015, 01:41:12 PM »
Will check them out, are the parts easy to assemble ?

What is the best job these can do in my situation : BC-355C, BC-780XLT  ?
« Last Edit: April 07, 2015, 01:43:40 PM by JAS39Gripen »

Offline dave

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Re: Scanner with multiple But independent frequency output feeds ?
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2015, 05:40:23 PM »
Will check them out, are the parts easy to assemble ?

What is the best job these can do in my situation : BC-355C, BC-780XLT  ?

We were talking about SDR dongles in this thread.  Now you are talking about scanner radios.  Two different things.

Which direction do you want to go?  :-)

Offline JAS39Gripen

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Re: Scanner with multiple But independent frequency output feeds ?
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2015, 06:16:33 PM »
If the dongles are not easy to assemble I can also look at scanners.
Less hassle is the best option for me.
Open to all kind of information.

What skills do I need to assemble RPi and SDR dongles and put them to work ?

Offline dave

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Re: Scanner with multiple But independent frequency output feeds ?
« Reply #9 on: April 08, 2015, 08:28:00 AM »
If the dongles are not easy to assemble I can also look at scanners.
Less hassle is the best option for me.
Open to all kind of information.

What skills do I need to assemble RPi and SDR dongles and put them to work ?

To get a Raspberry Pi up and running it's helpful to be able to do the following:

1) Follow instructions to burn a software image onto an SD card.
2) Basic Linux command-line skills.

If you can at least assemble a Raspberry Pi, burn an SD image, and get it online, I can help configure your unit.  Another option is for us to provide the SD card which will be almost all ready to go.

So basically whatever you are comfortable with.

We coordinate all feeds through our contact system (not here) so if you are definitely interested in moving forward please submit a contact form here: http://www.liveatc.net/ct/fcontact.php

Thanks,
Dave

Offline JAS39Gripen

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Re: Scanner with multiple But independent frequency output feeds ?
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2015, 03:13:19 PM »
Okay, thank you for info, will do step by step then.
I must find and check RPi and Dongle prices, shops an shipping to Europe.

Any recommended online shops, where I can check/buy RPi and Dongles, antenna with one shipment ?

Thank you .

Offline edilson.carlos

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Re: Scanner with multiple But independent frequency output feeds ?
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2019, 07:38:43 PM »
Taking advantage of this topic not to create another


Is it possible to place 3 scan frequencies with one as a priority?