How to set up a SkyGrid feeder

Keep FR24, ADS-B Exchange and tar1090 running. SkyGrid is an additional outbound feed. No custom image is required. tar1090 is a local UI, not a SkyGrid uploader.

1. Create an account.
2. Register a receiver and save its feeder ID and once-shown API key.
3. Download the Python 3 bridge. Save the key in an owner-only file (chmod 600). Use /run/readsb/aircraft.json or /run/dump1090-fa/aircraft.json and run:

   sudo python3 simple-bridge.py --aircraft-json /run/readsb/aircraft.json --key-file /etc/skygrid/feeder.key --install-systemd

4. Confirm the first committed aircraft report in your account. Registration, heartbeats and queued requests do not count as live.

For a new station, use stock Pi OS with an SDR, antenna and a configured readsb or dump1090 decoder.

Optional local 3D display

An active feeder (aircraft reports committed within 24 hours) or premium entitlement unlocks the online globe and separate local display package in your account. The installed local display works offline. Basic 2D radar, search, coverage and airport pages remain public.

How to tell it is working

After an aircraft position is received, the coverage map normally updates within about two minutes. Cells show received aircraft positions, not feeder locations. An empty cell can also mean no aircraft were heard.

Questions and troubleshooting

Check power, network, SDR, antenna and feeder key if reports do not arrive. The coverage map shows the last 30 minutes.