Tracking with multiple data sources
If you go missing or have an accident, the quicker you're found, the better. Now, technology and software have developed to a point that allows you to be tracked no matter how remotely you fly. Tracking needs to be set up before you need it, so it's worth taking a bit of time to ensure your aircraft will be tracked correctly.
Generally, the setup only has to be done once, until you buy or sell an aircraft, or upgrade equipment. If flying shared or club aircraft with an Oudie N or SeeYou Navigator, make sure you configure your device properly before flying.
Step One. Configure your FLARM
FLARM devices come configured out of the box with a unique ID hex number, starting with FD for example, FD7C75. This can be changed by editing the config file in the FLARM. You can leave it as is, but there are several reasons to change the code:
1. The FLARM has previously been used by a different glider. For example, you may have bought the FLARM device second hand, or moved a FLARM device between gliders.
2. The OGN database has been configured by someone else, and you can't access it.
3. If your aircraft has ADS-B, you should match the ADS-B code.
Matching the FLARM code to your ADS-B code is critical. This will ensure your devices can merge the two codes together to be the same aircraft, and your FLARM won't alert you to that suspicious ADS-B aircraft that keeps following you around. It also guarantees your FLARM code is unique for that aircraft. All Australian registered aircraft ADS-B hex codes start with ‘7C’.
If you are going to change the code to a random code, check that it's not already in use in the OGN and Flarmnet databases (see below). Avoid obvious patterns such as 123456. Otherwise, you are likely to conflict with other people around the world.
Gliders racing at a world championships around weather
Step Two. Configure the OGN Database
Open Glider Network (OGN) is the glider tracking network used worldwide by gliders, paragliders, helicopters and, increasingly, other aircraft. It primarily receives data from FLARM devices transmitting to a ground based receiver, so FLARM tracking will only work when in range of a receiver. Some devices such as Oudie also send tracking data to OGN when online.
The OGN data is used by almost all tracking systems including PureTrack, FlightRadar24, Glide and Seek and WeGlide, so it's well worth making sure this is set up correctly.
Configure your FLARM device and aircraft here:
http://wiki.glidernet.org/ddb
Step Three. Configure the Flarmnet database
Flarmnet is the official aircraft database used by devices and flight computers to map hex codes to aircraft, for example, LX9000s. It is also important to ensure that it is correct, so people can identify you on their devices.
https://www.flarmnet.org/flarmnet
Registering a New Device
https://www.flarmnet.org/flarmnet/device/add
If configured, the Flarm-Radio-ID is the 6-digit hexadecimal ICAO aircraft address of your aircraft (also known as Mode S Code) or the 6-digit hexadecimal Flarm-Radio-ID. It is NOT the serial number of the device!
Step Four. Configure your Oudie
The Oudie N and SeeYou Navigator on your phone can transmit your location into the OGN network via the cellular network. This is handy for more complete coverage when you’re out of range of a FLARM receiver, but in range of cell phone towers.
Oudies, like FLARM, will by default broadcast as a default random number. But it's important to configure your aircraft with the same hex ID as the actual FLARM - and possibly ADS-B. Recent software updates have made this easier by getting the data from the OGN database automatically when adding/editing an aircraft. So go and check it, if you haven't already. It's another reason to ensure the OGN database above is correct.
You should do this for each aircraft you fly with your Oudie. Critically, don't forget to change the aircraft setting when flying in a different aircraft, otherwise you'll stuff up the tracking for both!
Step Five. Configure your Phone, SPOT, InReach, Zoleo and other Devices
PureTrack has made it as easy as possible to support your portable satellite tracker, along with many other apps and devices.
Follow the instructions from https://puretrack.io/trackers
PureTrack can also forward this data back into the OGN network, so that other tracking systems can make use of the data.
Using multiple tracking data sources gives you the best chance of coverage, meaning that if you go missing, search and rescue have the best last known location possible. FLARM/OGN tracking range is often limited in Australia and New Zealand, while cellular coverage is more extensive, so using a cell phone app while flying can work well. Just watch your battery – using tracking apps will drain it quickly! If you're often flying well out of cell signal range, a satellite tracker is the best option.
Selling/Moving FLARM Units Between Aircraft
When selling a FLARM, it's a good idea to do a couple of things first to make life easier for the future owner:
• Remove the code from the OGN database.
• Remove the code from the Flarmnet database.
• Remove any custom hex code and configuration from the device.
A common issue occurs when a previous owner (or someone helping them) has already configured a FLARM in OGN under a different account. You can't add a duplicate entry, but what can be done if the person who configured it can’t be contacted?
You have two options
1. Wait 1 year for the hex code to expire. OGN recently added this system to free up IDs that aren't in use any more.
2. Change the hex code. As above, you should change it to match your ADS-B hex code for the aircraft anyway. Or just change it to a new random code.
Gliders and other aircraft in Australia
Tracking Websites
PureTrack.io
PureTrack provides worldwide coverage with almost all available glider tracking systems. Primarily this is OGN and ADS-B as well as satellite trackers, cell phone apps and dedicated cellular trackers. This is very useful in countries outside of Europe without an extensive FLARM network, such as Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Brazil and the USA.
• Add SPOT, InReach and Zoleo at https://puretrack.io/trackers
• Add cell phone tracking if you can spare the battery usage.
• Make sure your ADS-B is showing up correctly.
• Optionally configure your PureTrack data to be sent into OGN so other tracking systems can also see it.
WeGlide.org
WeGlide performs live tracking for gliders only, using OGN data.
• Make sure your FLARM/OGN devices are configured correctly, as above.
• Configure your registration at
https://www.weglide.org/settings/live
glideandseek.com and other OGN Apps
Apps like Glide and Seek use data from OGN, so don't need any extra configuration other than ensuring the OGN network database is correct. See a complete list of apps on the OGN website:
http://wiki.glidernet.org
About the author
Tim Bromhead has been developing tracking systems for over 10 years including PureTrack.io, used by thousands of Glider and Paragliding pilots worldwide. Tim flies a Ventus cT in New Zealand, and can be seen flying on the PureGlide YouTube channel.
FROM THE EDITOR
I have four devices that are linked to PureTrack - the FLARM in my glider, my OudieN, InReach, and SeeYou on my phone. But even if they are all turned on, they will show up on PureTrack as one aircraft.
In particular, having InReach, Spot or other satellite trackers display on PureTrack could be very handy for retrieves. Anyone looking for you, or following your progress in flight, will see where you are whether you are in proximity to an OGN receiver or phone tower or not. This is also a good safety back up. People following your flight will not have to go to a special web page to see where you are (as with inReach) or wait for you to send a text message with your coordinates. SY
