We know, we know. Despite being called ESP32-Plane-Radar, this project from [Mateusz Juszczyk] isn’t actually using radar. But thanks to the round LCD this desktop gadget does a fantastic job of recreating a classic radar display, and by pulling in Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data, the visuals even match nearby real-world aircraft.
Perhaps the best part of this project is just how easy it is for others to get in on the action. Although the presentation certainly looks professional — and expensive, if we’re being honest — there’s nothing particularly exotic going on here. Specifically, there’s ESP32-C3 Super Mini behind the scenes cranking through the ADS-B data and pushing it out to a circular GC9A01 display. A minimalistic 3D printed enclosure holds both components, and while it’s undeniably slick as-is, we can’t help but think there’s potential here for more elaborate designs.
As you probably guessed from the lack of a radio in the parts list, the code [Mateusz] provides doesn’t actually sniff ADS-B out of the air. It connects to the local network over WiFi, and then hits adsb.fi to pull in crowdsourced flight data. Since the device has to connect to the network anyway, the code also offers up a web-based configuration interface which puts a little more polish on what’s already an impressive presentation.
We used a round GC9A01 display on the Vectorscope back in 2023, so if anyone ports this over to their old Supercon badge we’d love to see it in action.
Thanks to [Mauricio] for the tip.
Why are the STLs not in the github repo?
I will not create an account on makerworld just to download them.
Otherwise – nice project!
Yeah… I’d rather not interact with MakerWorld either considering the antics of its owner. Makes sense to just keep it with the other source files on a Repository. Or just mirror to as many sites as possible.
If you don’t mind another case formfactor you could use mine. Originally for a clock but that is just a matter of other software.
https://github.com/MilovdZee/Analog_Clock-esp32
that’s a really neat design!
Pretty cool, looks like the tumbler for a lock.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the creator choosing to offer up their files in a way that’s free (as in beer) but gives them a little bonus for their very hard work.
You’re free to handle your work as you see fit.
i have no idea about this project but personally i don’t think STLs belong in git. git is for source. that’s specifically the thing i love most about openscad — scad files do belong in git and git does a nice job on them
Stl is a source file, git is for what ever you want to put in it
STL is the equivalent of object code: half-compiled from source, useless without further processing, almost impossible to edit and re-use. It has no place in git.
There is no strict declaration that GIT must only be used for source and that only source belongs in git. It is just the most common application for a Version Control system. Git is for everything one wants to use it for really.
To argue otherwise is just going to end up with a cascade of whataboutism as there is a LOT of non-source data out there in repositories. From small images to help illustrate better, to PDFs documenting everything, Machine Learning models for stuff like OpenCV and entire Audio/Visual libraries that may be necessary for some projects. To name a few of the recent things I’ve encountered.
The case from another similar moon phase display with ESP32-C3 / GC9A01 should work : https://github.com/kmio42/moon-display/
I understand so little here. I’m old but curious. These posts open my mind to so many possibilities. Thanks all
Aircraft transmit their identifiers and location continuously as a matter of safety. Anyone can decode these, and there are several sites where scanners can upload what they catch. This project takes your current location, and overlays the scanned details uploaded by others to give you a visualization of what aircraft are flying above and near you.
This is so cool.
I wrote a similar app that runs on the cyd28 cheap yellow display. Here is the link, uses touch and has weather. I am constantly improving it as I have some free time. https://github.com/ppoinha/CYD28PlaneSpotter
Thank you!!
I can see some other possibilities. Location of constellations or galaxies in the sky, or satellite passages, etc.
Hmm. Disappointed that adsb.fi doesn’t have very good coverage around here. I’ll fix that. I have one receiver piping to adsbexchange (but I can’t muck with it because it’s one of theirs) and a second one 10 km away piping to flightradar24 (and it’s running flat-out on a Pi 1B). Time to upgrade that to a Pi4 and make it pipe to adsb.fi too.
Is center position a fixed coordinate or is it based on wifi/internet connection, it would be cool if it had built in gps and center position could be very exact and follow the device if taken outside while playing with the fpv drone to see aircrafts approaching :)
Put that between Helm and Nav for large scale Star Trek bridge sets
I’d much prefer it to use an sdr to receive the ADS-B data.