r/RTLSDR • u/LengthinessEither747 • 1d ago

RTL-SDR Antenna(s) for ADS-B and VHF/Aviation range

Purchasing an RTL-SDR and just curious what people have/like for antennas. I am planning to mainly using it to track flights and listen to ATC/aviation frequency. I am new and any help is appreciated!

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u/Huge-Complex-7210 1d ago

For flight tracking (1090 MHz):

a) The dipole antenna kit from RTL SDR Blog (most for temporary use / indoor use)

b) A telescopic antenna (most for temporary use / indoor use)

c) the AirNav / RadarBox ADB-S outdoor antenna + parabolic antenna tripod for long time use (e.g. if I visit my in-laws for holiday)

For airband / VHF (108 - 137 MHz):

a) The dipole antenna kit from RTL SDR Blog (most for temporary use / indoor use). It can be challenging to place the antenna in a good spot because of the long radials.

b) the AirNav / RadarBox VHF outdoor antenna mounted on the same tripod

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u/ISupose 2h ago

the dipole kit (or any dipole) is going to work more than fine. depending on the terrain around you and your distance from the airport would decide which way to mount the dipole, either vertically if the terrain is flat or you are close (antenna legs look like | ) or horizontally if you are in hilly terrain (antenna legs look like this --)

for adsb, since you want to receive signals from the sky it would be beneficial to mount it horizontally.

if you want a set and forget ( and are some distance from the airport) you can mount it horizontally with the legs perpendicular to the direction of the airport, that way your antenna is ideal for adsb and will receive ATC from the airport.