How It Works: Build Your Own Stratux ADS-B Receiver

Sam Weigel

Wednesday, June 01, 2016 at 12:26 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Stratux is an open-source, do-it-yourself (DIY) system offering aircraft owners a low-cost alternative for receiving free ADS-B In benefits like real-time weather, Nexrad radar, and traffic information.
Built using a Raspberry Pi microcomputer and a software-defined radio (SDR) antenna, the entire system costs under $100 and can be assembled from a kit or individual parts with downloadable software.
While considered an experimental system and incompatible with proprietary EFB programs like Garmin or Jeppesen, Stratux provides a significant capability upgrade for minimal expense, as demonstrated by successful use in over 50 hours of cross-country flight.

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The cost and hassle of complying with the FAA’s 2020 ADS-B Out mandate is vexing many aircraft owners, but quite a few of us are already enjoying the benefits of ADS-B In: real-time weather, Nexrad radar and traffic information, all for free. There are a number of feature-rich portable receivers on the market, like the Appareo Stratus, Garmin GDL 39 and Dual XGPS170. And for do-it-yourself types or die-hard cheapskates, now there’s an open-source homebuilt option for under $100: Stratux.