Acarsdeco2 Windows Verified Direct
An interesting feature for AcarsDeco2 on Windows is its ability to decode up to three (or sometimes four) ACARS channels simultaneously
from a single RTL-SDR dongle. While it is a command-line program, it includes a built-in web interface
that allows you to browse received messages, aircraft photos, and flight data in real-time through your browser (typically via
AcarsDeco2 is a highly regarded console-based multi-channel ACARS decoder that interfaces directly with RTL-SDR dongles. Verified Windows performance is achieved by executing the program through a batch file rather than a direct executable launch, ensuring all necessary command-line arguments are properly applied. Overview of AcarsDeco2 on Windows
Direct Interface: Unlike many decoders, AcarsDeco2 reads the RTL-SDR dongle directly, eliminating the need for audio piping software like Virtual Audio Cable.
Multi-Channel Decoding: It can simultaneously decode up to 3 ACARS channels. acarsdeco2 windows verified
Web-Based Interface: While it is a command-line tool, it features a built-in web server (typically at http://localhost:8080) to browse messages and view aircraft information in real-time.
Data Integration: It can output data to other aviation tools like COAA PlanePlotter or Virtual Radar Server (VRS) for mapping and enhanced aircraft tracking. Installation & Verification Steps For verified operation on Windows systems: acarsdeco2 on Win 10 - Radar Spotting
Here’s a feature checklist / implementation plan for verifying acarsdeco2 on Windows, structured like a feature spec you could add to a project or use for QA.
6. Verification Script (PowerShell)
# acarsdeco2_verify.ps1
Write-Host "ACARSDECO2 Windows Verification" -ForegroundColor Cyan
Command Line Basics
Open Command Prompt as Administrator in your folder. Run:
acarsdeco2.exe --gain 30 --output decoded.txt --http-port 8080
Breakdown:
--gain 30 – Sets gain (adjust between 20-49 for your environment).--output decoded.txt – Saves all messages to a text file.--http-port 8080 – Enables a web interface to view ACARS live in your browser.
Beyond Basic Decoding: ACARSDeco2 as a Service on Windows
Once your acarsdeco2 windows verified installation is stable, consider running it as a background service using NSSM (Non-Sucking Service Manager). This allows the decoder to start automatically on boot, perfect for 24/7 feeders to networks like ACARS Hub or PlanePlotter.
Example NSSM command:
nssm install ACARSDeco2 "C:\acarsdeco2\acarsdeco2.exe"
nssm set ACARSDeco2 AppParameters "--gain 40 --vdl2 --freq 136900000 --output C:\logs\acars.log"
Then enable the service and reboot. Your verified decoder now runs silently, even without logging in.
✅ Official & Verified Source
acarsdeco2 is developed by Tomasz Lemiech (szpajder).
The only official, verified distribution point is GitHub.
👉 Official repository:
https://github.com/szpajder/acarsdeco2 An interesting feature for AcarsDeco2 on Windows is
📡 Alternative verified Windows tool (if you need GUI)
If you prefer a verified GUI for ACARS on Windows, use:
- SDR# (SDRSharp) with ACARS plugin – official: https://airspy.com/download/
- JAERO (for AERO / SATCOM ACARS) – official: https://github.com/jontio/JAERO
But for acarsdeco2 specifically, the GitHub source above is the only verified source.
Let me know if you need:
- A step-by-step verified Windows installation guide
- How to decode ACARS in real-time with audio input instead of SDR
- How to verify the binary signature manually
Acarsdeco2 is widely regarded by the RTL-SDR community as one of the best free tools for decoding Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) messages on Windows. Performance and Features Multi-Channel Decoding
: It can simultaneously decode up to three ACARS channels within a ~1.4 MHz band, making it more efficient than older scanners. Built-in Web Interface Breakdown:
: While it runs as a command-line console application, it features a clean web interface (typically at
Installation and Setup for Windows (Verified Method)
Once you have your verified acarsdeco2.exe, follow this battle-tested setup process:
