Blue R820T2 RTL2832U, 0.5 PPM TCXO ADS-B SDR w/Amp and 1090 Mhz Filter, Antenna & Software on Industrial MicroSD

The ADSBexchange.com Blue R820T2 RTL2832U receiver has significantly enhanced my aircraft tracking capabilities, outperforming the well-known FlightAware Pro Stick Plus in every aspect crucial for ADS-B enthusiasts. Here’s a detailed look at why the ADSBexchange receiver is a superior choice for anyone serious about ADS-B tracking.Superior Build Quality:The ADSBexchange.com Blue R820T2 RTL2832U is not just another ADS-B receiver. Encased in robust blue aluminum, it not only promises durability but also superior heat dissipation, which is crucial for long operational hours without the risk of overheating—a stark contrast to the plastic-bodied FlightAware Pro Stick Plus.The technical superiority of the ADSBexchange receiver is evident in its enhanced reception capabilities. With a 0.5 PPM TCXO, the precision in frequency stability is unparalleled, ensuring that even under significant temperature fluctuations, the accuracy remains consistent. This is a game-changer for capturing ADS-B signals under varied environmental conditions.Moreover, the integration of an amplifier and a 1090 MHz filter directly into the device means that it can more efficiently sift through RF noise to capture cleaner and more accurate signals. This capability is particularly useful in densely populated urban areas where signal interference is a common issue.Using the same antenna and cable setup, the ADSBexchange receiver consistently detects more aircraft over broader areas compared to the FlightAware Pro Stick Plus. This is not just about quantity; the quality of the data, including positional accuracy and message integrity, is markedly improved. More messages per second are processed even with automatic gain control (AGC) enabled allowing for seamless data collection without requiring constant manual tweaking. I also see improved distribution of aircraft both over my footprint, and in an enhanced spread of altitudes.For enthusiasts who demand the best in ADS-B reception, the decision is clear: the ADSBexchange.com Blue R820T2 RTL2832U is the superior choice, delivering unmatched performance that enhances the joy and effectiveness of aircraft tracking.I am not affiliated with ADS-B Exchange either directly or indirectly, nor was this review solicited or compensated.

I have a Pi 4 set up for ADSB, which I was previously using a sdr, and it worked great. I really wanted to try having an amp and filter to see if it made any difference in my setup, and it did! My tracking seemed to nearly double. My messages a second went from about 120 to often closer to 250. I also went from about 20 aircraft on average to 50, and reaching about 100 miles to 150. I did swap out the included antenna to a PCB one about a week later that gave me another 50-100 messages/second, slightly increased tracks with more than one message, and added about 10 more (now 60) for average planes. This was a great upgrade, and was very easy to swap out. I started using my old SDR to track 978MHz for smaller planes.

Awesome device. It pulls in signals from over 200 nautical miles from my location. I did add a larger antenna but the small antenna worked very well. It gets mildly warm during use but not enough to be a concern to me.

Incredibly easy setup with a Raspberry Pi 4b, installed the SD card into the Pi, screwed the antenna onto the USB receiver, plugged the receiver into the Pi, powered on the Pi, and followed the directions on the Setup card that came with the receiver. All in, 15 minutes.Incredible work by the ADSB Exchange crew. Thank you!

Using a Pi 4B 4gb and this is working great! Huge props to the devs on setting up this package, very impressed with the range even indoors this filter must work pretty great.For first-time users I would recommend upgrading the image to Raspian/Debian 12 [or current stable ver] and enabling web auth + set a password in the ADSB dashboard ...note this will also change your SSH password from the default, which you definitely want to do.

I'm running this in a window sill with the provided antenna and very happy with the performance. I'm running mine with the Flightradar24.com image and reporting to their service, and it fired up and worked with no special config needed and started uploading ADS-B spots.Like some others I noticed the case runs a little hot for my taste. When I had it plugged directly into the back of a Raspberry Pi 4 (which also runs fairly hot) it ran even warmer. To reduce the heat I strapped a couple scrap heatsinks and some heat sink compound onto the receiver, and separated the receiver from the Pi with a 3' long USB extension cable. That also made placing the receiver and antenna in the upper part of the window more convenient as well. I don't know that the heat hurts anything - but it makes me fell better.Overall, highly recommend this receiver. Works great.

Works as advertised, and I've been using it as an ADSB receiver for my Raspberry Pi feeding into FR24.However, NOTE: It gets extremely warm. Like, very warm to the touch, and enough to impact your Pi's overall temperatures as well. My Pi 5 runs fine, but my Pi 3b+ requires external heatsinks when this is connected via USB.As others have done here, I bought 2x heatsinks and pasted them to both sides of the amp (see photo). At least this way, you're removing some of the heat away from the amp and your Pi. Still, my Pi gets much warmer with this antenna. I do with the amp itself had its own heat-dissipating ability, or even passive thermals (or even a fan!).

Built in amp and filter really make it easy to get good signal and range with a variety of antennas and locations.Elevation and landscape around you being the limit to performance.