Currently only works/tested with RTL SDR v3 and AirNav ADS-B Receivers

Install Instructions

Raspberry Pi Packages / Install

0. Plug in SDR into the Pi, and connect it to your 1090MHz antenna.

1. Update and Upgrade Pi. This may take some time.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

2. Add piaware repository
   Credit to Wiedehopf for this script

    wget -O piaware.deb http://flightaware.com/adsb/piaware/files/packages/pool/piaware/p/piaware-support/piaware-repository_3.8.0_all.deb

3. DPKG piaware repo

    sudo dpkg -i piaware.deb

4. add Buster to your repo sources list

       sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
   

   • paste this on a new line in the sources.list file

   deb http://deb.debian.org/debian buster main contrib non-free
   

5. update your repos

    sudo apt update

6. Install dump1090-fa

   sudo apt install dump1090-fa
   

7. IMPORTANT: REBOOT THE PI

    sudo reboot

8. After reboot, install tar1090

    sudo bash -c "$(wget -nv -O - https://github.com/wiedehopf/tar1090/raw/master/install.sh)"

9. it should now be installed. Test by going to http://YOUR_PI's_LOCAL_IP_ADDR/tar1090. You should see the aircraft map.

milTracker install and setup

1. ensure that dependencies are installed on your raspberry pi:

   • This may appear to freeze or stop at times. More than likely it is working, it just takes a while to install.

   sudo apt install git python3-pip python3-full python-is-python3 && pip install meshtastic --break-system-packages
   

2. install the base repository that includes the program, the aircraft database, and configuration.

   cd ~
   git clone https://github.com/usefulcoder/adsbMilTracker.git
   

3. setup the configuration file:

   1. navigate to the new adsbMilTracker directory

      cd adsbMilTracker
      

   2. Edit the configuration.py

      sudo nano configuration.py
      

   • IF you are planning on using discord webhooks and your pi will remain connected to the internet, follow the below:

     1. Set the Discord Variables

        discord_webhook = "ENTER_YOUR_FULL_WEBHOOK_URL_HERE"
        discord_error_webhook = "ENTER_YOUR_FULL_ERROR_WEBHOOK_HERE"
        

   • Set meshtastic channel

     meshtastic_channel_index = ENTER_CHANNEL_INDEX_NUMBER_HERE #ex -> meshastic_channel_index = 2
     

IF YOU ARE NOT USING DISCORD, YOU CAN JUST LEAVE THEM AS THEY ARE

Setup adsbMilTracker as a service

1. navigate to install base directory

   cd ~/adsbMilTracker
   

2. Give folder edit permissions and Create service file

   sudo chmod -R 777 ../adsbMilTracker && python createServiceFile.py 
   

3. Move service file into systemd

   sudo mv ./adsbMilTracker.service /etc/systemd/system/adsbMilTracker.service
   

4. Reload the service daemon

   sudo systemctl daemon-reload
   

5. Enable the service

   sudo systemctl enable adsbMilTracker.service && sudo systemctl start adsbMilTracker && sudo systemctl status adsbMilTracker
   

6. The output of the above command should show the status of the service and it should say active(running)

ALL SET! If you followed the above, you should be good to go and should be actively listening for mil aircraft. The below is only for convenience on any future installs.

EASY TO COPY CODE BLOCKS

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade && wget -O piaware.deb http://flightaware.com/adsb/piaware/files/packages/pool/piaware/p/piaware-support/piaware-repository_3.8.0_all.deb && sudo dpkg -i piaware.deb && sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

2. Paste this into the file that pulls up on a new line:

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian buster main contrib non-free

sudo apt update && sudo apt install dump1090-fa && sudo reboot

sudo bash -c "$(wget -nv -O - https://github.com/wiedehopf/tar1090/raw/master/install.sh)" && sudo apt install git python3-pip python3-full python-is-python3 && pip install meshtastic --break-system-packages && cd ~ && git clone https://github.com/usefulcoder/adsbMilTracker.git && cd adsbMilTracker

5. Add your configs as stated inthe format in the explanations above

sudo nano configuration.py

cd ~/adsbMilTracker && sudo chmod -R 777 ../adsbMilTracker && python createServiceFile.py && sudo mv ./adsbMilTracker.service /etc/systemd/system/adsbMilTracker.service && sudo systemctl daemon-reload && sudo systemctl enable adsbMilTracker.service && sudo systemctl start adsbMilTracker && sudo systemctl status adsbMilTracker