Decoding ACARS on VHF with your SDR Radio - Monitoring Aviation Communications Ep 5

This video shows most of the kinds of messages you will receive if you set up an SDR radio to decode ACARS transmissions in the VHF air band.

I used the following 2 SDRs in the making of this video :

Of course you can use any SDR that covers the VHF airband to decode ACARS transmissions.

Software used :

If you are new to the world of SDR, check out the 2020/2021 SDR Guide videos which will help you discover what your Software Defined Radio is capable of!

As always, thanks for watching the Frugal Radio (FR) channel :-)

[scellyyt]

I love your channel so much. All info and help on how to do things, no waffle or time wasted. Keep up the good work.

[zazugee]

I'm impressed by how far those ACARS messages go over VHF. like today one coordinate was like 286km away while using same setup (RTL SDR v3 with stock dipole) range is 150km on ADS-B, and VHF voice is similar like 100km would be understandable
so it makes sense why ACARS messaging is a more reliable mean of communicating

[sunsetcoastswl]

Wow...at least for me watching this video and trying to digest the information is like trying to drink from a fire hose...tremendous amount of good information described. I will have to rewatch this video many times! I suspect the content of this video could be easily broken into multiple videos. Good video, sir!

[AlHearn]

I had been searching for information for a couple of weeks regarding VHR ACARS, frequencies, software, and message interpretation and was having very little luck. Just bits and pieces, and old outdated information. Then on that very day, your new video popped up with everything I needed all in one neat package. Thank you VERY much. All your videos are well done, informative, and timely. Keep them coming. BTW, what Windows software do you recommend for satellite ACARS? I've been trying JAERO but wish there was something better.

[karlkarlsson]

Thank you :) I have also been using various WEBSDR to decode HF Acars

[andybolderson]

Hi im in Great site, but admit a lot of this is way over my head, Would love to get into this and get started as a hobby . I would like to be able to monitor the vhf bands and Acars for civil aviation. Q. Do i need a scanner like the Bearcat BCT15x or will the BC125AT work with using this SDR gizmo. Or do you just use a computor, Also could you recommend any training courses somewhere near Surrey BC, I searched for radio clubs near me but not sure if they go into this section enough. I just would like to listen and monitor Thanks Andy

[timvlismas]

Thank you for another very interesting video. I use PC-HFDL to decode ACARS as it has a VHF ACARS option as well as a HF one.
I think I'll need to view this video a few times as well in order to extract all the good info in it.
Do you have many instances of military aircraft using VHF ACARS?

[eightspoons]

Brilliant video Rob, thank you for the great content. Is there a way to extract purely OOOI data and can you filter by airline?

[danedewaard]

Very interesting, thanks for all of this information!!!

[christophermanning]

Just wondering about what antennae is best for this? Thanks - I have both types of hardware dongle and am not sure which antennae is best. Thanks

[sethrice]

How have I only just now found this!?!?

[gabrielprates]

hi sir. do you have a databe with your messages? I'm a making database just with flight numbers, registration, dep and arr for every day of the past years. But I'm having a hard time finding old data.

[rider]

I have an RTL-SDR v3 with the antenna kit that comes with the device. Would I be able to use this antenna or should I purchase an antenna specific for ACARS? The videos are really informative! I am looking forwarding to figuring out how to listen to air traffic in my area of southern California. Thanks!

[vmvbeng]

Thank you very much. Good useful tutorials..

[stevebarker]

I wondered if there is a written hard copy guide anyway to deciphering CPDLC and its use within Oceanic ATC

[laminez]

So if you have a PI runing PIaware using one RTL-SDR then you can run ACARSDEC on the same dongle? how will the SDR monitor 1090mhz and Acars frequencies at the same time?

[markh]

@Frugal Radio Do you have a video detailing why you use the RTL-SDR on Windows and the NooElec on Linux? I'm curious to the reasoning behind those particular HW/OS combinations..
thanks

[Wayne-Pr]

Another great Video, looking forward to the Satellite video.

Not sure if you have seen this head line in your part of the world.
LONDON CITY QUIETLY CONVERTS TO VIRTUAL ATC OPERATIONS.

I would post the URL but I know youtube hates url's. 😢

Rgs
Wayne.

[RaptorJesus]

Can you do a video on beginner antennas? This is very interesting but you can't do anything without first picking up the signal. Thanks!

[jaym]

I compiled acarsdec on my Debian desktop PC, connected my NESDR SMArt and an airband dipole upstairs tuned to around 131MHz and it's working. I have a question: can it write both to stdout and also keep a log of messages to refer to later?

Edit: figured it out myself. Open a second terminal and run tail -f /path/to/acarsdec/logfile. Now I need a third SDR dongle (one's for ADS-B on Pi) and second VHF airband antenna so I can also monitor voice communications. :)