Stratux image build to include snstac/stratuxcot and stratux image to feed detected aircraft positions to Team Awareness Devices.
This page provides instructions on one known method to configure a Stratux (ADS-B) receiver to feed CoT information to a Team Awareness Kit (TAK) server or other TAK end-user devices (EUD) to and stream detected aircraft positions within the device's coverage area, using the snstac/stratuxcot service. The configuration described below is intended for a mobile application to observe surrounding aircraft locations and feed ATAK EUDs on a LAN in LTE-denied areas.
NOTE: The following instructions have been confirmed to work with Raspberry Pi 3B and Pi 4 models.
The following are parts utilized for a successful implementation of Stratux feeds to a TAKServer or other open-sourced cursor-on-target (CoT) relays. See http://stratux.me #diy-kits-and-parts for details on alternative parts.
- Raspberry Pi 3B (not 3B+). !!!! I have successfully run the latest images on both a Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi Zero 2W.
- 1090 / 978 Radios:
- Stratux 1090ES & UAT - Radios (Low Power UAT) and High Gain Antennas RECOMMENDED
- Nooelec Dual Band NESDRs - See here for alternative SDR's TESTED
Both 1090 and 978 SDRs are required for Stratux to operate.
- sD Card with Stratux / Raspbian OS flashed onto it. Stratux Image is located here: (https://github.com/cyoung/stratux/releases/download/v1.6r1-eu27-us/stratux-v1.6r1-eu027-3d07b461-us.img.zip)
- Stratux GPYes 2.0 u-blox 8 USB GPS unit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0716BK5NT/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=crewdog0c-20&linkId=c2993713e1637ae6eaf4ae904b4322d0)
RECOMMENDED
Optional Removable External GPS Antenna: Stratux GPYes 2.0 External Antenna
- VK-162 G-Mouse - Remote Mount USB - External GPS Navigation Dongle - Supports Stratux, Raspberry Pi, Windows, Linux TESTED
See here for other GPS receiver options
- Stratux Case (recommended for mobile applications).
Using your preferred image flashing application such as Pi Imager, BalenaEtcher, etc., flash the sD card with the latest Stratux image, which can be downloaded at:
https://github.com/cyoung/stratux/releases/tag/v1.6r1-eu27-us
NOTE: These instructions are for the specific image above. Newer image versions may or likely will NOT work.
- Install SDRs into the Raspberry Pi board Ensure antennas are connected to the SDRs prior to powering them up.
- . Install the sD card into the Raspberry Pi unit
- Power the Raspberry Pi 3b (NOTE: ensure adequate voltage supply or you will receive multiple warnings possibly interrupting your initial configuration.
If you do not have access to an ethernet connection on your network, you may consider connecting a keyboard and monitor to your Raspberry Pi board PRIOR to powering up the unit.
If you can connect via ethernet, log into your router and determine the IP address for your stratux to use in place of
192.168.10.1below.
Using any device with a web browser:
- Connect to the "stratux" SSID / WiFi peer-to-peer network.
- Connect to the web GUI at http://192.168.10.1 and ensure the Stratux operating status is "connected".
- At the top of the webpage (in the
Statustab), rapidly tapVersion: v1.6r1-eu027(...)7 times. Note a yellow box statingDeveloper Modewill appear - Locate the
Persistent logging: Write logs to micro SD instead of RAMoption in theSettingspage, and toggle it to where it is on. - Reboot the image (near the top of the
Settingspage) if you are not already prompted to do so.
In the the version of Stratux used for this guide, it appears the AP + Wifi Direct is more reliable, and you can enter your network connections here without having to manually modify the wpa_supplciant.conf file below.
After confirming the operating status, you will need to open a terminal connection by any of the methods below:
- Connect directly to the device with a keyboard and monitor (easiest)
- Connect via ssh with the RPi connected to a local network using an ethernet connection.
(Identify the ethernet IP address of your RPi on the network):
ssh pi@[RPi_IP_ADDRESS], (where[RPi_IP_ADDRESS]is the IP Address of your RPi on your LAN) - Connect via ssh with the RPi using the "stratux" WiFi connection:
ssh [email protected]
When configuring your Stratux (Raspian) Image, DO NOT
sudo apt upgrade. Doing so will brick your installation and you will have start over.
Refer to https://linuxconfig.org/apt-update-vs-apt-upgrade for further information
Using one of the 3 ways to connect to your RPi, use the default login credentials to access your RPi:
login: pi password: raspberry
Now would be a good time to satisfy the following tasks prior to configuring your RPi. The easiest method to achieve the previous task is to enter raspi-config and use the user interface following the instructions below. However, command line interface options, where applicable, are also provided below:
It is HIGHLY recommended to change your password (#1) and hostname (#2) along with setting your timezone to UTC (#3) when using a TAKServer or multicast to ATAK EUD's
IMPORTANT !!! Before proceeding and after you enter ssh or terminal, you must unlock the layer if you want your changes to persist. Enter
sudo overlayctl unlockat the first terminal prompt.
See for more info: https://github.com/b3nn0/stratux/wiki/Read-only-filesystem
You have two options:
-
A. Raspi-Config
- From the command prompt, enter raspi-config:
sudo raspi-config - Select 1. System Options
- Select S3 Password
- Enter and Re-type your new password at the command prompt
- From the command prompt, enter raspi-config:
-
B. Command line:
- Switch user to root:
sudo su - - At the prompt, enter password change command:
passwd pi - Enter new password
- Re-enter new password
- Switch user to root:
pi@raspberrypi: sudo su
root@raspberrypi: passwd pi
Enter new UNIX password: [enter your password here]
Retype new UNIX password: [re-enter your password here]-
From the command prompt, enter raspi-config:
sudo raspi-config -
Select
1. System Options
-
Select
S4 Hostname
-
Follow the command prompts
-
From the command prompt, enter raspi-config:
sudo raspi-config -
Select
5. Localisation Options
-
Select
L2 Timezone
-
Select None of the above at the bottom
-
Select UTC and tab to
Okand click 'return'
-
From the command prompt, enter raspi-config:
sudo raspi-config -
Select
5. Localisation Options -
Select
L1 Locale:
-
Scroll down and select your local (NOTE: For U.S. users, select en_US.UTF-8 UTF-8)
-
Follow the command prompts.
After making the previous changes, exit raspi-config and type sudo reboot if not already prompted to do so by raspi-config upon exit.
If your Raspberry Pi is connected to a LAN with internet access, you can also begin to install any networking tools, VPNs, and/or peer-to-peer network connections such as ZeroTier - depending on your application and/or TAK setup. {.is-info}
The following instructions provide an initial and minimal configuration to get StratuX and the snstac/stratuxcot service to work. It should be noted that the Pi 3 model's WiFi is limited to the 2.4Gz frequency and is considered insecure. If operational security is paramount regardless of which Raspberry Pi model you use, please consider alternate methods to secure your network prior to operational deployment. {.is-warning}
For additional information to improve your network security using the protocols contained within StratuX, please refer to the following:
- WPA_SUPPLICANT: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Wpa_supplicant
- Raspberry Pi / Wireless Enterprise Environments with WPA_SUPPLICANT: https://netbeez.net/blog/connect-your-raspberry-pi-to-wireless-enterprise-environments-with-wpa-supplicant/
Raspberry Pi 3 units do not support 5Ghz WiFi - only 2.4Ghz. If your router or MiFi is capable, enable a 2.4Ghz network and generate an SSID for it. Refer to your networking equipment guides for instructions on how to do so. {.is-warning}
The following instructions provide two options for connecting to a LAN via WiFi:
- Single WiFi Client Mode: Fixed locations or a single mobile data device (i.e. you do not anticipate connecting to multiple access points); OR
- Multiple WiFi Client Mode: For connecting to multiple known WiFi networks automatically if you anticipate several WiFi networks or MiFi access points for your application.
Prior to beginning this section:
Regardless which configuration you wish to use, both require editing the network interface configuration file:
sudo nano /overlay/robase/etc/network/interfaces, and you will see the following or similar in the file:
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback
# allow-hotplug eth0 # configured by ifplugd
iface eth0 inet dhcp
allow-hotplug wlan0
# AP or AP+Client -> create seperate ap0 virtual interface for the AP; optionally use wlan0 for client connection
iface ap0 inet static
address 192.168.10.1
netmask 255.255.255.0
post-up /opt/stratux/bin/stratux-wifi.sh ap0 0;
# Pure AP mode
iface wlan0 inet manual
pre-up iw wlan0 set type managed; iw phy0 interface add ap0 type __ap; ifup ap0
wireless-power off
post-down ifdown ap0; ifconfig ap0 down; iw ap0 delComment out (using '#') any line below the 6th entry: allow-hotplug wlan0 and insert the following:
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
wpa-ssid "your_wifi_ssid"
wpa-psk "your_wifi-password"
pre-up /usr/sbin/rfkill unblock wifi
wireless-power off
iface default inet dhcpYour file should now look like the following with the bold font being your added lines:
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback
allow-hotplug eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp
allow-hotplug wlan0
**iface wlan0 inet dhcp
wpa-ssid "your_wifi_ssid"
wpa-psk "your_wifi-password"
pre-up /usr/sbin/rfkill unblock wifi
wireless-power off
iface default inet dhcp**
# iface wlan0 inet static
# address 192.168.10.1
# netmask 255.255.255.0
# pre-up /usr/sbin/rfkill unblock wifi
#
# post-up /usr/sbin/stratux-wifi.sh 0
# wireless-power off
# allow-hotplug p2p-wlan0-0
# iface p2p-wlan0-0 inet static
# address 192.168.10.1
# pre-up /usr/sbin/rfkill unblock wifi
# netmask 255.255.255.0
# post-up /bin/systemctl restart isc-dhcp-server
# post-down wpa_cli -i wlan0 terminate
#####################################################################
## Custom settings not for novice users!!!!!!
## Modify at your own risk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
##
## Second Wifi Dongle for local work and internet access
## This template is for adding a second wifi dongle to your PI for internet access while debugging
## Modify /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf with your settings also( see below )
##
## Uncomment the following lines as needed.After ensuring your information is correct, save the file and reboot the RPi at the command prompt: sudo reboot . Upon reboot, you should be able ssh into your stratux device. Skip to Install Stratuxcot and Dependencies
Comment out (using '#') any line below the 6th entry: allow-hotplug wlan0 and insert the following:
iface wlan0 inet manual
wpa-roam /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
wireless-power off
iface default inet dhcpThe following is how your file should appear:
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback
allow-hotplug eth0
iface eth0 inet dhcp
allow-hotplug wlan0
iface wlan0 inet manual
wpa-roam /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
wireless-power off
iface default inet dhcp
# iface wlan0 inet static
# address 192.168.10.1
# netmask 255.255.255.0
# pre-up /usr/sbin/rfkill unblock wifi
#
# post-up /usr/sbin/stratux-wifi.sh 0
# wireless-power off
# allow-hotplug p2p-wlan0-0
# iface p2p-wlan0-0 inet static
# address 192.168.10.1
# pre-up /usr/sbin/rfkill unblock wifi
# netmask 255.255.255.0
# post-up /bin/systemctl restart isc-dhcp-server
# post-down wpa_cli -i wlan0 terminate
#####################################################################
## Custom settings not for novice users!!!!!!
## Modify at your own risk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
##
## Second Wifi Dongle for local work and internet access
## This template is for adding a second wifi dongle to your PI for internet access while debugging
## Modify /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf with your settings also( see below )
##
## Uncomment the following lines as needed.CREATE / EDIT wpa_supplicant.conf File (Only if necessary)
Next, you will need to configure your wpa_supplicant.conf file with the following information regarding the WiFi networks to which you wish the devices connect:
- Network SSID (network_ssid_#)
- Key Managment Protocol (key_mgmt)
- Network password (network_passwd_#)
- Network Selection Priority (the higher the number, the higher the priority and is user-defined)
Configure or add the file with: sudo nano /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
Once in the file, add the following lines, as needed, for your setup:
country=US
ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1
network={
ssid="network_ssid_1"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
psk="network_passwd_1"
priority=3
}
network={
ssid="network_ssid_2"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
psk="network_passwd_2"
priority=2
}
network={
ssid="network_ssid_3"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
psk="network_passwd_3"
priority=1
}After ensuring your information is correct, save the file and reboot the RPi at the command prompt: sudo reboot . Upon reboot, you should be able ssh into your stratux device. [Skip to Install Stratuxcot and Dependencies](## Install StratuxCoT).
REMINDER: The configuration provided previously serve only to provide an initial configuration for a StratuX / Stratuxcot implementation. Please refer to the previous sources / links to further secure your network for your application.
If you are unable to ssh into stratux on your WiFi network after confirming the correct IP address, network information, and 2.4G status, then connect your RPi 3 to a keyboard and monitor and re-enable ssh by going into raspi-config:sudo raspi-config, and reboot.
Refer to Greg Albrecht's stratuxcot site, from which the information below was obtained:
Copy / Paste or type each line in order to install StratuXCoT
wget https://github.com/snstac/aircot/releases/latest/download/python3-aircot_latest_all.deb
sudo apt install -f ./python3-aircot_latest_all.deb
wget https://github.com/snstac/pytak/releases/latest/download/python3-pytak_latest_all.deb
sudo apt install -f ./python3-pytak_latest_all.deb
wget https://github.com/snstac/stratuxcot/releases/latest/download/python3-stratuxcot_latest_all.deb
sudo apt install -f ./python3-stratuxcot_latest_all.debRefer to Greg Albrecht's stratuxcot site, from which the information below was obtained:
The stratuxcot command-line program has several runtime arguments:
$ stratuxcot -h
usage: stratuxcot [-h] -U COT_URL -W STRATUX_WS [-S COT_STALE]
optional arguments:
-h, --help show this help message and exit
-U COT_URL, --cot_url COT_URL
URL to CoT Destination.
-W STRATUX_WS, --stratux_ws STRATUX_WS
Stratux Websocket URL.
-S COT_STALE, --cot_stale COT_STALE
CoT Stale period, in seconds.
Connect to the Stratux device at ws://127.0.0.1/traffic (using the localhost IP address), and forward CoT to TCP Port 8087 on Host [172.17.2.152]:
stratuxcot -U tcp:172.17.2.152:8087 -W ws://127.0.0.1/traffic
Replace 172.17.2.152 with the IP address for your TAKServer, FreeTAKServer, or ATAK EUD
The host IP address and port are dependent on your TAKServer, FTS, or ATAK EUD configuration. Please refer to your device(s) set up for the necessary IP address and ports.
ATAK EUD's IP address can be found in the Network Settings menu, and typically accept tcp traffic on port 4242.
taky 0.9.1 will take the stream on port 8087 if TCP MONITOR is enabled.
Below is an example format for using the known aircraft filter
DOMAIN,AGENCY,REG,CALLSIGN,TYPE,MODEL,HEX,COT,TYPE
EMS,Air Methods,N911AL,ANGEL_9,HELICOPTER,BHT-407-407,AC9A6D,a-f-A-C-H,66f14976-4b62-4023-8edb-d8d2ebeaa336/Public Safety Air/EMS_ROTOR.png
EMS,Air Methods,N404LL, ,HELICOPTER,BHT-407-407,A4BC82,a-f-A-C-H,66f14976-4b62-4023-8edb-d8d2ebeaa336/Public Safety Air/EMS_ROTOR.png
If you wish stratuxcot to start automatically at boot, then create a systemd service file by:
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/stratuxcot.service
Then add the following lines to the blank file with your settings for the [host_ip_address] and [port_number] within the stratuxcot execution command:
[Unit]
Description=StratuxCoT Service
After=multi-user.target
# Requires=network-online.target multi-user.target
# After=network-online.target multi-user.target
[Service]
ExecStart=/usr/bin/stratuxcot -U tcp:[host_ip_address]:[port_number] -W ws://127.0.0.1/traffic
Restart=always
RestartSec=5
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.targetAfter saving and exiting the file, execute the following commands:
sudo systemctl enable stratuxcot.servicesudo systemctl start stratuxcot.servicesudo systemctl status stratuxcot.service(to confirm it is running correctly)
Alternatively, if you wish to stop the service, then type:
sudo systemctl status stratuxcot.service
Confirm ATAK Receiving the Stratux ADS-B Stream
The following improvements are recommended for your StratuX set-up
The simplest way: (http://cagewebdev.com/raspberry-pi-expanding-the-root-partition-of-the-sd-card/)
-
open the PI’s configuration screen (in the terminal window) by typing:
sudo raspi-config -
Select
6 Advanced Options -
Select
A1 Expand filesystem
-
Click "Yes" to reboot.
The following is an alternate way that has worked if the previous link does not.
The following is an alternate way that has worked if the previous link does not: http://blog.daviddemartini.com/stratux-repartition-to-use-entire-sd-card/
Linux stratuxp3 5.10.17-v7+ #1403 SMP Mon Feb 22 11:29:51 GMT 2021 armv7l
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NOTE TO DEVELOPERS: Make sure that your system has an acceptable clock source, i.e., a GPS
with sufficient signal or enable ntpd (internet connection required).
Everything here comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, to the extent
permitted by applicable law.
As noted on the StratuX Start Up / Splash screen, an "acceptable clock source" is needed. Should you wish to deploy StratuX without a GPS receiver or expect GPS limitations at time, utilizing NTPD with an internet connection is recommended. If no internet connection is expected to be available, a GPS Receiver is highly recommended.
The following instructions are derived from David DeMartini's blog: http://blog.daviddemartini.com/category/aviation/aero-stratux/#ntpd
Installing ntpdate: sudo apt-get install ntpdate
Once set up, it is recommended to disable WiFi and use a wired connection to a router in public safety applications, as it is insecure on Raspberry Pi's. One way to do so includes the following
Edit /etc/network/interfaces using your preferred editor and comment out any line referencing or associated with wlan0.
Example:
-
Edit the interfaces config file by typing at the command prompt:
sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces -
Comment out using
#at the start of each line that references wlan0. See the example below:auto lo iface lo inet loopback allow-hotplug eth0 iface eth0 inet dhcp **#allow-hotplug wlan0 #iface wlan0 inet static # address 192.168.10.1 # netmask 255.255.255.0 # pre-up /usr/sbin/rfkill unblock wifi # # post-up /opt/stratux/bin/stratux-wifi.sh 0 # wireless-power off #allow-hotplug p2p-wlan0-0 #iface p2p-wlan0-0 inet static # address 192.168.10.1 # pre-up /usr/sbin/rfkill unblock wifi # netmask 255.255.255.0 # post-up /bin/systemctl restart isc-dhcp-server # post-down wpa_cli -i wlan0 terminate** ##################################################################### ## Custom settings not for novice users!!!!!! ## Modify at your own risk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ## ## Second Wifi Dongle for local work and internet access ## This template is for adding a second wifi dongle to your PI for internet access while debugging ## Modify /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf with your settings also( see below ) ## ## Uncomment the following lines as needed. # allow-hotplug wlan1 # iface wlan1 inet manual # wpa-roam /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf # iface name_of_WPA_Config inet dhcp # iface name_of_other_WPA_Config inet dhcp ## End of interfaces #contents of wpa_supplicant.conf ############################################################# # ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev # update_config=1 # network={ # ssid="SSID_1" # id_str="name_of_WPA_Config" # scan_ssid=1 # key_mgmt=WPA-PSK # psk="mypassword" # priority=1 # } # network={ # ssid="SSID_2" # id_str="name_of_other_WPA_Config" # scan_ssid=1 # key_mgmt=WPA-PSK # psk="mypassword" # priority=3 # } #############################################################
Once satisfied with your set up, use the following instructions to boot your stratux image from USB 3.0 and retain your sD card as a back up: See here for more.