Unveiling The Featured ADS-B Feeder For January 2024: Francesco Giacon from Padova, Italy

Francesco Giacon, AirNav RadarBox Italian ADS-B Feeder

In the vast community of ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) feeders, we often encounter individuals who have embraced this technology and contributed significantly to the community.

Photo courtesy of Francesco Giacon 

For January 2024, our featured ADS-B feeder is Francesco Giacon (PGANRB501294) from the picturesque city of Padova, Italy. Let's look at Francesco's story and setup!

Francesco's Setup

Francesco's setup - Photo courtesy of Francesco Giacon 

Francesco's ADS-B feeding story began with an SBS-1 Kinetic receiver three years ago. In 2023, he upgraded to an XRange2 receiver with a 24-meter dipole antenna mounted on a mast.

Francesco's antennas - Photo courtesy of Francesco Giacon 

Photo courtesy of Francesco Giacon 

Francesco's antennas - Photo courtesy of Francesco Giacon 

His antenna, positioned high above the ground, ensures optimal reception. Despite the challenges of capturing the antenna's image, Francesco's commitment to air traffic monitoring remains unwavering.

Exclusive AirNav Feeding

Unlike some feeders who contribute data to multiple platforms, Francesco exclusively feeds AirNav RadarBox. His dedication to this platform reflects his confidence in its capabilities and features.

The Transition to RadarBox

PGANRB501294 ADS-B Station 

Francesco discovered RadarBox when Kinetic Avionics announced the discontinuation of Windows OS support. Intrigued by the possibilities RadarBox offered, Francesco made the transition and has been an avid supporter ever since.

Francesco's Professional Background

With a rich professional history dating back to 1973 as a Telecommunication Engineer in the Italian Air Force, Francesco's expertise in radar technology and air traffic control systems is unparalleled. His journey with ADS-B began in 1999 with a presentation at Eurocontrol, and he continued to delve deeper into the technology over the years.

Multilateration Tracking Enthusiast

Francesco's enthusiasm extends beyond basic ADS-B tracking. His interest lies in Multilateration tracking, where he actively participates, syncing more than 40 receivers simultaneously. This dedication showcases his commitment to advancing the capabilities of ADS-B technology.

Radio Wave Propagation Expertise

With a background in radio wave propagation, Francesco is amazed by the performance of his setup. Despite obstacles such as the Euganean Hills and the Alps, he achieves remarkable results in the direction of the Adriatic Sea and some northern routes. The AirNav XRange2 unit's ability to receive signals from aircraft 350 nautical miles away under favorable propagation conditions astounds him.

About Padua

Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

With its rich history and cultural significance, Padua is the backdrop to Francesco's ADS-B story. As the capital of the province of Padua, it stands as an economic and communications hub in the Veneto region of northern Italy, boasting a population of 214,000 as of 2011. Padua's inclusion in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area emphasizes its importance in the broader context of the region.

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