Start with a Raspberry Pi
Layer400 runs on a Raspberry Pi. Give it power, internet and the radio you want to use. Our guided setup takes you from installation to your first connected receiver.
Already running an aircraft feeder? Keep it running. Layer400 can share its aircraft data without needing another radio.
Buying new equipment? Check the model notes below. The installer checks your Pi automatically.
Aircraft, drones—or both.
You don’t have to choose a permanent setup. Start with one and add the other whenever you’re ready.
Drones: a Wi-Fi adapter
Use a USB Wi-Fi adapter with monitor mode and a suitable antenna. Monitor mode lets it listen for nearby drone broadcasts.
Wi-Fi suggestions →Aircraft: an ADS-B radio
Use a USB SDR radio with a 1090 MHz antenna, or connect an aircraft feed you already run—even from another Pi.
Aircraft radio options →Bluetooth: in development
We’re still developing the exact receiver hardware for Bluetooth. You can get started with Wi-Fi or aircraft data today.
Wi-Fi: where to start
Look at the ALFA AWUS036ACM or a Cudy adapter using the MT7612U chipset. That’s the small radio chip inside the adapter; it helps you pick the right version.
Have another adapter with monitor mode? Tell us the model in chat and we’ll help check it. Keep your Pi online through Ethernet or a separate Wi-Fi connection while the receiver adapter listens.
Aircraft: use a radio or share a feed
A USB SDR is a small radio that plugs into your Pi. For aircraft, choose one designed for ADS-B at 1090 MHz, with a matching antenna.
FlightAware, RTL-SDR Blog and Nooelec are names to look for. If you already use an aircraft receiver, you may not need to buy anything.
Running PiAware, dump1090 or readsb? Keep your existing setup and share its feed with Layer400. It can be on the same Pi or another device on your network.
Plug in. Set up. Contribute.
Our setup guide handles your account, installation, receiver name and location in one place. Add more hardware later through Receiver settings—same Pi, same account.
Model notes, if you need them
You don’t need to learn these to follow the setup guide. They’re here to help you check equipment before buying.
Pi and software versions
The current download is tested and enabled for Raspberry Pi 5 running 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS based on Debian 13. Other combinations are not yet included in this release. The installer checks this before making changes. Current download notes.
Wi-Fi adapter models and reception
Our tested Cudy adapter uses MT7612U, USB identity 0e8d:7612 and Linux driver mt76x2u. ALFA’s AWUS036ACM uses the same chip family; we haven’t separately tested every retail model or revision. Monitor mode is needed, but is not the only compatibility requirement.
The current download receives 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Beacon broadcasts on channels 1, 6 and 11. A dual-band adapter does not enable 5 GHz reception in this version. ALFA’s model notes ↗
USB aircraft radios and shared feeds
The direct USB option uses RTL2832-based radios supported by the installed dump1090 decoder, identified by USB IDs 0bda:2832 or 0bda:2838. Check the exact model: some newer radios need different drivers. FlightAware Pro Stick and Pro Stick Plus are examples of this radio family, not a claim that every branded SDR has been tested here.
Airspy, SDRplay and other radio types can connect through an existing decoder providing a compatible aircraft.json feed, rather than directly by USB. Feed connection guide.
Need a hand? Talk to Layer400.