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.
How It Works: Build Your Own Stratux ADS-B Receiver
Key Takeaways:
- Stratux is an affordable, open-source, do-it-yourself (DIY) option for aircraft owners to receive free real-time ADS-B In weather, radar, and traffic information.
- It is built using a Raspberry Pi microcomputer and a software-defined radio (SDR) antenna, with complete kits and software available online for under $100.
- The system is relatively simple to assemble and connects to Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) programs via Wi-Fi, offering a significant capability upgrade despite being experimental and not universally compatible.
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