OnAirSatellite & navigation · Experimental
Decode Inmarsat Aero with an SDR
OnAir receives Inmarsat Aero. Inmarsat Aero satellite data link (P channels at 600, 1200 and 10500 bit/s) near 1545 MHz.
What Inmarsat Aero is
Inmarsat Aero channels are the L-band satellite data link of aircraft (SwiftBroadband and the older Aero C/P channels).
Frequencies and where it is used
Aircraft satellite data link, L band.
In OnAir the tuning shortcut is Aero, L-band; you can enter any frequency your radio reaches.
What OnAir shows for Inmarsat Aero
Messages, and positions on a map.
This receiver is built from the published specification and checked end to end on simulated signals. It has had little or no testing on real transmissions yet, so reports and recordings on Discord are welcome.
Which radio you need
This mode sits at a high frequency, so check that your radio tunes it: a HackRF covers 1 MHz to 6 GHz, and RTL-SDR stops near 1.7 GHz. Some modes at these frequencies also need a fast radio (10 to 20 Msps) or a dish and an LNB.
Questions about Inmarsat Aero
Can I decode Inmarsat Aero with an RTL-SDR?
Probably not: an RTL-SDR tunes up to about 1.7 GHz. A HackRF (1 MHz to 6 GHz) or another wideband radio is the usual choice for this frequency range.
Is it legal to receive Inmarsat Aero?
Receiving satellite downlinks is generally legal. Encrypted or spread content is not decoded, and voice codecs that are patented are not shipped with OnAir.
Can I try Inmarsat Aero in OnAir without a radio?
Yes. Most modes include a built-in synthetic test signal, so you can open the screen and try the controls before you own a radio.
Try it without a radio
OnAir includes built-in synthetic test signals for most modes, so you can open this screen, see the layout and try the controls before you own a radio. The Tour button walks you through the app.