For those of you interested in seeing a description of the squawk codes associated with your flights I have developed a program that reads flights from port 30003 or the recorded flight files and displays the ModeS code or flight number together with a description of the squawk code in a scrolling window. More details and the software download are at http://www.gfrost.co.uk/SquawkBox/ (http://www.gfrost.co.uk/SquawkBox/)
The software reads a text file describing the squawk codes. The file supplied with the software is already set up for the UK. Those of you in other countries will have to replace this file with your own list of squawk codes.
I am indebted to Tarbat for having the time to test this program and helping me with my connection problems.
And what an excellent program it is!! I still wish we could get this information displayed in Radarbox itself, but this is a very useful addon.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/3021389771_092833024c_t.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/3021389771/sizes/o/)
I think it's worth saying that you would only use the recording file if you want squawk codes for non-ADS/B aircraft. Otherwise, port 30003 is the better solution for ADS/B aircraft.
Andy, if you feel like developing another small program, I'd quite like a standalone program that allows me to type in the squawk code, and display the squawk allocation. That would help with the 5-minute delay in the recording file, since I could just type in the squawk code when I see it in Radarbox, and see who it's allocated to.
I get an error when I try to run the program.
Great add-on, helpful with radio traffic and frequencies.
Thanks for making it available.
Stuart
Quote from: tarbat on November 11, 2008, 12:16:15 PMAndy, if you feel like developing another small program, I'd quite like a standalone program that allows me to type in the squawk code, and display the squawk allocation. That would help with the 5-minute delay in the recording file, since I could just type in the squawk code when I see it in Radarbox, and see who it's allocated to.
No sooner said than done - many thanks Andy, that's great being able to lookup a single squawk code, great for decoding military squawks.
Hi Andy,
I receive the following error in Windows XP Home Edition 5.1.2600, Service Pack 3 build 2600...
" Application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000135) Click on OK to terminate the application"
Cheers,
Peter
Hmm, it would seem that you need the .Net Framework to run the program. See http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/freeway/92216-solved-application-failed-initialize-properly-0xc0000135.html (http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/freeway/92216-solved-application-failed-initialize-properly-0xc0000135.html). Sorry guys, I missed that one. The program is written in C# and obviously makes use of this. I'll need to check whether I can build this into the exe for now it looks like the .Net framework is required.
I've got the Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5. I am also running Windows XP with Service Pack 3.
Thanks, installing Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 resolved the issue.
Cheers,
Peter
Does it have to be the 3.5 version? Looking in my Add/Remove programs, I see that I have Microsoft.Net Framework 2.0.
Yes, a very good add-on.
Its just a shame that it needed 60MB of Microsoft .Net installed for it to run.
Looking at the "Prerequisites" setting in my Visual Studio for SquawkBox it has got ".Net Framework 2.0" checked, so I think you should be ok with that. Please let me know if it works. Otherwise, the .Net Framework 3.5 can be obtained at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/cc378097.aspx (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/netframework/cc378097.aspx)
Yes indeed, nortonbeak, shame to have to download so much for such a small program, I'm stuck with what I'm given by Microsoft I'm afraid. You might however need the .Net framework for other programs (it's like needing DirectX installed for games etc.). I'll look into a way round this or to make one installation of it.
Andy...
Yes, I can confirm that it does work with .Net Framework 2.0 (SP1).
Thanks very much indeed for giving us this addon.
I'm so glad you gave us those options to choose from. I needed to slow the scrolling text down and choose a more subdued colour such as Dim Grey and Maroon to avoid the flickering I was experiencing. I've got it set up beautifully now.
Just using this for a couple of hours highlights how useful squawk codes are for non-positional aircraft. A couple of examples:
1. I had an RAF Tornado at FL210, so it could have been over the Tain Bombing Range near me. A quick check of the squawk code showed that it was near RAF Leuchars.
2. An RAF VC10, with squawk 5107, so nearer Boulmer than me.
A note to other users. You may need to edit the squawk_codes.txt file to remove some of the duplicate lines, ensuring that the ones appropriate for your area are selected. I use ";" to comment out the line. For example (selecting Aberdeen as my nearest):
2640 - 2657 Aberdeen (Northern North Sea Off-shore - Sumburgh Sector)
; 2641 - 2642 RAF Cranwell - Lincolnshire AIAA
; 2646 - 2647 MoD Boscombe Down - High Risks Trial
; 2650 MoD Boscombe Down Conspicuity
; 2650 - 2653 Leeds Bradford Approach
; 2651 - 2657 MoD Boscombe Down
; 2654 Leeds Bradford Conspicuity
; 2655 - 2677 Leeds Bradford Approach
tarbat...
so that I know exactly what I'm doing with regard to your post about editing the Squawk Codes.txt file, as a Londoner here in the S/E, I would comment out for example, Sussex Police ASU, Essex Police ASU, etc and just leave Metropolitan Police ASU....yes?
Thanks.
Tailwinds, no, you don't need to do that. The codes for Metropolitan Police ASU are 0043 - 0044, and these numbers aren't duplicated anywhere in the file. Sussex Police ASU is 0045, so doesn't overlap with the Metropolitan Police ASU.
i have downloaded squawk code decoder but the decoder screen is blank but it says it is connected.on the instructions it says it works through port 30003 .how do if ind port 30003 can anyone tell me what i am doing wrong
regards
phil
Quote from: tarbat on November 11, 2008, 04:12:58 PM
Tailwinds, no, you don't need to do that. The codes for Metropolitan Police ASU are 0043 - 0044, and these numbers aren't duplicated anywhere in the file. Sussex Police ASU is 0045, so doesn't overlap with the Metropolitan Police ASU.
tarbut....
I understand now..thanks.
Tailwinds, many thanks for confirming that the program works with .Net Framework 2.0 and for your kind comments! Appreciated!
viking9, the decoder file is squawk_codes.txt, a simple text file that lists the descriptions of the various squawk codes. You can edit this file yourself as long as you maintain the format described in the comments at the top of the file (a comment begins with ';' or anything non-numeric for that matter). The program, SquawkBox.exe, expects to find squawk_codes.txt on the same directory as it was started from. The idea was that users in countries other than the UK would customise (or is that customize) the file squawk_codes.txt for their particular country because the squawk codes are country dependent.
radarphil, don't worry about port 30003. That's just internal jargon used on the forum for the 'location' at which RadarBox outputs its flights to which can be picked up by add-on programs. SquawkBox handles the reading of this data by itself and you don't need to do anything more. I'd referred to port 30003 to distinguish it from the flight data output to recorded flight files. These are created by selecting "Start Recording..." from the menu. SquawkBox can also read these files while they are being created.
Andy,
Many thanks. I'm using squawk codes in conjunction with PlanePlotter and MyCircles to try to plot the track of non-positional aircraft.
Tom
Andy,
You have done a great job, many thanks.
Kevin
when using squawk box on sbs-1 it shows mode s code squark code and squawk locator but not airline prefix .how do you get the flight prefix to work on sbs-1 i have both set ups radarbox and sbs-1
Quote from: radarphil on November 11, 2008, 10:30:24 PM
when using squawk box on sbs-1 it shows mode s code instead of flight code. squark code and squawk locator are ok but not airline prefix .how do you get the flight prefix to work on sbs-1 i have both set ups radarbox and sbs-1
radarphil, it seems that as far as SBS-1 was concerned SquawkBox needed to listen to more than one message type to get the flight number. From information received by the guys on the SBS-1 forum I have just changed SquawkBox and uploaded it to its website. I am awaiting confirmation from the guys there that it now displays flight numbers. Unfortunately I don't have an SBS-1 myself so I have to leave it to others to tell me what's required and whether it works.
You can follow the discussion on the SBS-1 forum at:
http://www.kinetic-avionics.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?p=64119#64119 (http://www.kinetic-avionics.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?p=64119#64119)
This change doesn't affect its functionality with RadarBox.
Squawkbox is excellent, I use it all the time, although with the 5-minute delay on port 30003 it may make it less useful in future.
So, if you really want real-time squawk code lookups in Radarbox itself, maybe you could support the feature request I posted in August - http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=1284.msg9534
Great TOOL! Doro
Quick question guys cos I'm a bit thick!? I spotted a non-ADS/B helicopter and checked the SQ which was 0621. It stated "Liverpool Airport". Does this mean it's near Liverpool Airport? Based @ the airport? travelling from or going to?
Cheers :)
nbquidditch, did you mean "0261"?
0261 is in a range that is used at several locations, so you'll need to edit the squawk_codes.txt file for you location:
0260 - 0261 Coventry Airport Conspicuity
0260 - 0261 Oil Survey Helicopters - Faeroes/Iceland Gap
0260 - 0267 Westland Helicopters Yeovil
0260 - 0267 RAF Northolt
0261 - 0267 Liverpool Airport
Given the current location of your boat, probably Coventry Airport.
Ah! Yes I'm near Coventry. I may have written it down wrong! Not surprised really, every time a plane goes over I'm out of the window! LOL. Being close to Coventry Air Museum we get a good deal of oddities. For example we have Venom & a DC6 in British Eagle colours flying around quite often!
Thanks once again I'm new to all this. What the hell does Conspicuity mean :)
Sorry forgot to ask. Do I simply open up the codes Txt file from the SB folder & simply edit & save?
Yes, just open the squawk_codes.txt file in something like Notepad, make the changes, and then save. Close Squawkbox before you do this though.
Thanks but still unsure. Do I change all the codes you mentioned above to Coventry?
Just delete the lines that don't apply to your location. Or simply put "; " in front of the lines that don't apply.
Hi Andy, thanks a lot for the great little programme it worked for me straight out of the box very neat, I got a couple of questions about the squawk code text file but I`ll leave them for later. I`m running Vista with service pack 1 fully updated on a E6750 core 2, 4Gb ram with scroll interval set to zero and scroll amount on the 4th notch this gives me steady scrolling with hardly any jerkiness, if you have got a favourite charity I`d be happy to send a donation. Lou