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In a previous article, we introduced the ADS-B tracker, which utilizes FlightAware software. Everyone has their preferences, and you might prefer using Flightradar24.

Running your own aircraft tracker can provide you with a free Flightradar24 business account, making it a perfect solution if you enjoy tracking flights from home.

The range of the ADS-B tracker depends on the position and visibility of the DVB-T antenna, which should cover approximately 140-480 kilometers.

Equipment List

Below is a list of all the equipment required for the Flightradar24 tutorial.

Recommendations

Optional

Register Flightradar24

Before starting, you must register for Flightradar24. This process is simple; just register on their website.

You need to confirm your email after registration, and when setting up the Raspberry Pi, simply select the basic (free) plan.

Installing Flightradar24 from Scratch

This section will guide you through the steps to install Flightradar24 from scratch, including flashing the SD card. If you don’t mind formatting the SD card, this option is the simplest.

1. First, download the latest image of FlightRadar24.

2. Now you need a tool to write the image to the SD card. Etcher is a great tool that can be downloaded from its official website. It works on most operating systems like Windows, Linux, and Mac OSx.

3. After installing Etcher, open it. Next, select the image and browse to the image you just downloaded.

4. Next, select the storage device you want to use. Make sure it is the correct one, as this will format the storage device.

5. Click the Flash button to start writing data to the SD card. This may take some time.

6. Once completed, insert the SD card into the Raspberry Pi and power it on. Access the terminal to complete the next steps. You need to press ctrl+alt+f2 to access the terminal on the Raspberry Pi. The login information is the default for Raspbian. The username is pi, and the password is raspberry.

7. If connected via Ethernet, the Pi should connect to the network directly. Otherwise, you will need to set up WiFi by following the WiFi tutorial to configure the WiFi connection in the terminal.

8. After completing the network setup, enter the terminal on the Raspberry Pi or via SSH and enter the following command.

sudo fr24feed --signup

Proceed to the FlightRadar24 configuration section in this tutorial to configure the software.

Installing FlightRadar24 on Raspbian

If Raspbian is already installed and you do not wish to start from scratch, you can follow the steps below. This process is simple and should not encounter any issues. If you do not want to risk data loss, it is best to back up the SD card before starting.

1. Enter the following command in the terminal of the Raspberry Pi.

sudo bash -c "
$(wget -O - http://repo.feed.flightradar24.com/install_fr24_rpi.sh)"

2. You will then be asked several questions, such as the fr24 sharing key, antenna location, and other details.

3. Please proceed to the next section to learn how to fill out the form.

FlightRadar24 Configuration

This section provides detailed information about all the configuration questions you will be asked when setting up or running the following commands.

sudo fr24feed --signup

Email Address: Enter the same email address used to register for Flightradar24. This email address is also where the FR24 key will be sent. Once the Feed is up and running, it will automatically appear in your account.

FR24 Key: If you have never used Flightradar24, you should not have an FR24 key. Leave this question blank unless you have an FR24 key.

MLAT Calculation: Enter “Yes” for this question.

Latitude and Longitude: You can use a service like latlong.net to determine the latitude and longitude of your antenna, and be as accurate as possible. The latitude format is xx.xxxx, and the longitude is xx.xxxx (remove extra digits).

Height: You can use whatismyelevation.com to determine how high your antenna is above sea level.

Receiver Selection: If you are using a DVB-T stick, select 1; otherwise, check here for other options.

Dump1090 Arguments: Leave blank and press enter to continue.

Raw Data Input: Do not enter anything unless you know you will need it.

Base Station Data Feed: Enter “no” unless you know you will need it.

Log File Mode: Set to 48 hours, 24 hours rotation.

Log File Path: If you want a specific path to store the log files, enter the path here; otherwise, just press enter to continue.

1. The program should now return, indicating that the configuration process is complete and providing a sharing key. Save this key as you may need it in the future.

2. To start sending data, enter the following command.

sudo systemctl restart fr24feed

3. You can check the status by running the following command.

fr24feed-status

4. Visit the data sharing page on the FlightRadar website, and you should also see the information source there.

5. If you want to view the feed’s web interface, go to its IP in a web browser followed by port 8754. Here’s an example.

http://192.168.0.143:8754

6. You should now have a fully functional Raspberry Pi Flightradar24. If you encounter any issues, please seek help from the FlightRadar24 forum.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter difficulties while using this tutorial, the following should help resolve some of the most common issues.

I hope this Raspberry Pi Flightradar24 tutorial helps you set up your ADS-B flight tracker. If you have any feedback, tips, or questions, please leave a comment below.

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