I have 2 Raspberry Pi 3B+ at my QTH for scanning. One is used for ADSB (Aircraft), the other is used for AiS (ships) in the local Cromarty Firth.
On an average day, I would get approx 250 aircraft, and 4 - 6 ships. Noticing that my rankings were dropping, I started to invesitgate getting amps for both.
Firstly, a massive shout out to the Pi Hut (https://thepihut.com/) and the wonder people who work there. A couple of clicks and I had ordered an amp for the ADSB station.
The one I ordered was listed as a ADS-B 1090MHz Filtered Preamplifier by Uputronics (https://thepihut.com/products/ads-b-1090mhz-filtered-preamplifier)
The first day this was installed (27th July), my count almost doubled!
One day after, so a full day running and it did double. 505 unique aircraft in a single day.
So impressed with this new found range and count, I wondered if the Pi Hut did one for AIS. The do!
Searching the site turned up the 162MHz AIS Filtered Preamplifier (https://thepihut.com/products/162mhz-ais-filtered-preamplifier)
Less than 48 hours later (and this was to the Highlands of Scotland, where only Amazon seem to manage next day delivery) and it was installed. Now showing more ships and greater range. Again, one happy bunny.
To be fair, the stats do not show the full picture. A recce showed little activity in the Firth today, but I am now seeing close to Nigg harbour, and the North and South Sutors which mark the end of the Firth between the towns of Nigg and Cromarty, but there is a definate increase in activity..
To be clear, I paid for these amps with my own money, No sponsorship, no kick backs, nothing. This is my own, honest opinion. Hopefully, backed up by statistics too. Please be aware that if you buy these, your mileage may vary,
I share my data online, if you are interested, please find them below
My ShipXplorer site: https://www.shipxplorer.com/stations/SXAISD0000377
My RadarBox site: https://www.radarbox.com/stations/EXTRPI015121
