Nooelec SAWbird+ ADS-B: Premium, Dual-Channel, Cascaded Ultra-Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) & Filter Module for Airplane Tracking Applications. 1090MHz (ADSB) and 978MHz (UAT) Center Frequencies

I'm not usually a review writer, but seeing as this is new and unreviewed, I'd add mine. Bottom Line: It works. It's easy. See the images one is "before" and one is "after" adding the unit. It basically doubled my range. (Your mileage may vary based on location). I'll start by saying my unit arrived and had the silkscreens on the "output" side reversed. I sent an email direct to Nooelec with this, and they replied within an hour saying it was a known thing on the first batch, apologized and explained how to get it connected correctly. Well done. Performance: I just plugged and played. I didn't change anything in my setup. The antenna coax goes to the LNA, and then a 6" cable to my SDR. I'm currently only using the ADS-B/1090mHz side. I'm powering the unit thought the micro USB with a standard Pi wall wart PSU. I have the antenna mounted on my chimney with about a 15ft run of cable. I live in a heavily wooded area and this really helped reception. I basically went from 50nm to right above 100nm. It also picks more lower level traffic closer to my location as well. On the average afternoon I went from ~10 visible aircraft on average to 25+. I'd say it's worth the investment.

Works great huge improvement over other LNAs I have used for ADS-B

A great improvement in range , very happy

I am using this mounted at the antenna for UAT 978 MHz with an FA orange SDR stick. It is powered by a Jetvision Bias-tee injector powered by the Raspberry Pi 5 USB port 75 feet on the other end of the cable. Compared to my old Uptronics filtered pre-amp, this Nooelec LNA/filter has much stronger amplification. 30 db stronger than the Uptronics. With the Orange stick I had to reduce dump978-fa gain setting nine 3db steps down from 16.6 (uptronics) to 1.4 (Nooelec) to get about the same minimum signal strength and noise floor. That equates to 27 db more gain with the Nooelec LNA, but I also have this LNA mounted at the antenna which is possible due to it's small size. If I mounted at the Raspberry Pi 5, the gain is 30 db stronger than the Uptronics in the same location since there is no cable run signal loss. I lose maybe about 3 db gain mounting the Nooelec at the antenna (heavily water seal taped) over around 70 feet of Airborne 10 cable. Performance mounted at the antenna is a bit better than when mounted at the Pi end. So kudos for this device's small size that makes that possible with some MacGyvering. It's nice the Nooelec can be powered through the COAX cable by bias tee injector at the Pi. However I'd give it 5 stars if it were a) housed in a water tight enclosure for easy antenna mounting, and b) also sold in a 978 Mhz only version since mounting it at the antenna while using separate 1090 MHz and 978 MHz antennas isn't really realistic with this combined 978/1090 LNA. Filtered LNAs mounted at the antenna will always perform better over longer cable runs. It's sad that we still have few practical options to mount filtered LNAs at the antenna. And this device isn't cheap. I hope Nooelec can understand this and produce some filtered LNAs that are waterproof and designed for at the antenna mounting. So, good quality, good results. But for the price, the implementation of this device for optimal antenna mounted performance is cumbersome at best. I'm not certain my tape sealed enclosure mounted at the antenna will be reliable over the upcoming PNW 9-month rainy season. We shall see!

Works great

It does an amazing job enhancing signal reception for an ADSB antenna. I’m getting 1090 up to 250 nm.

What an upgrade to my ADS-B (both 1090 and 978 antennas). This amplifier has taken me from 5000th on FlightAware, to 500th (see picture). My reach now extends from Memphis to Cleveland. At 1000ft MSL with my antennas in the rafters of my house (not even an external implementation). Stupid simple installation.

I wanted to simplify my setup and add 978mhz. This increased my 1090mhz range slightly and works well for UAT. I have no doubts this is one of the best LNA’s on the market. You get what you pay for. Range is as far as 275nmi with a roof antenna.