AirNav RadarBox Network
Introduction
AirNav RadarBox Network is a unique feature that enables you to view data other RadarBox users are receiving all over the world. It is the first worldwide flight radar flight data ever developed. You are experiencing new technology never used before.
How does it work? Each AirNav RadarBox user can share their live data with other users. Live data will be processed and after passing some validation algorithms it is then stored in a queue for upload to the AirNav server. Data is then uploaded 5 minutes after it has been received. On our server we have a powerful application called "AirNav Network Server" which processes up to 10000 flight messages per second at peak periods. Data is then organized and properly processed and an output file is created. Each connected client will then automatically download the updated list of network flights. This list often has more than 500 flights worldwide and the list is growing daily as more users install RadarBox and share their data.
You will be able to track flights over Europe, North America, Asia, South America and more: in other words you will be able to see flights wherever there is a RadarBox user.
Please note that for security reasons, data received from the RadarBox network is delayed by 5 minutes. So what you see on the screen is the position of the aircraft 5 minutes ago. This does not apply to the live data received directly from your RadarBox hardware decoder which is real-time and shows the actual position of the aircraft.
Above: RadarBox Live data being displayed
Above: Live Data plus Network Data, spot the difference!
How does the map display work with a mixture of Live aircraft and 5 minute delayed Network data?
Although it sounds confusing at first, the 5 minute delay of Network data has little effect on the overall display of aircraft. Aircraft which are close to the RadarBox receiver will be displayed 'live' in their actual position and without any delay. Depending on your location and antenna position, you can expect to see live traffic out to 150 miles or more from your location. Beyond your live reception range, you will see Network traffic from other RadarBox users who are sharing data. Because Network traffic is further away, the 5 minute position delay is of little significance. Occasionally, you may see an aircraft "jump" a few miles as it transfers from Network data to Live data and comes into your area of live reception. When the aircraft leaves your reception area, it will once again become a Network track. If you receive a flight live on your RadarBox and this flight information is also available on the data download from the network, then your live flight information will be given priority for display and the network data will be ignored. Network traffic can be displayed with "*" on the data tag to differentiate live and Network traffic.
What details will I see for each flight?
For each flight you will see:
| • | ACARS sign showing if the flight has any ACARS messages (for more information, go to ACARS Decoder interface) |
| • | Globe sign: when shown position information is available so the flight is being tracked on the maps |
| • | Status: flight status information |
| • | Mode S: the mode S code for this aircraft |
| • | Country flag: the flag of the country where the aircraft is registered |
| • | Flight ID: the flight number/callsign for this flight |
| • | Registration: the tail number of the aircraft |
| • | Aircraft: type of aircraft in ICAO (4 character) code |
| • | Airline logo: the logo of the airline that operates this flight |
| • | Altitude: altitude in feet |
| • | GS: ground speed for the flight in Knots |
| • | Hdg: the heading of the aircraft from 0 to 359 degrees (0=North, 90=East, 180=South, 270=West) |
| • | VRate: vertical rate of climb or descent in feet per minute |
| • | Route: origin and destination airports if the route is recognised by the RadarBox database |
Connecting to the Network
To connect to AirNav RadarBox network you need to have your RadarBox hardware connected to your computer. Open the RadarBox Interface if it not already open, go to the Network tab and check the "Get flights from RadarBox Network" check box.
Look at the the bottom of the RadarBox Interface panel to confirm the connection status. Network data is downloaded every 30 seconds.
Note that you will have to be a registered user of the software and have an active AirNav RadarBox account to be able to receive network flights.
You can do this from the main menu [RadarBox | Network Account Information]
To subscribe to AirNav RadarBox Network please visit AirNav RadarBox Order page
New users have free access to the network during the first year.