Product Reviews

Press Comments

Loop - April 2007 Loop looks at ADS-B's uses for General Aviation Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Aviation Week and Space Technology - March 2007 Aviation Week looks at how Kinetic Avionics is addressing aircraft tracking and Eurocae standards. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Radio User - SBS Files - January 2007 Issue 9 of the SBS Files details a diverted flight and Air Force One which were spotted by SBS-1 users. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Radio User - SBS Files - December 2006 In Issue 8 of the SBS Files, Kevin Patterson answers your SBS-1 questions. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Radio User - SBS Files - November 2006 Issue 7 of the SBS Files reports on the Kinetic Summer Party and using the SBS-1 abroad. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Radio User - SBS Files - October 2006 Issue 6 - Examines BaseStation Reporter, which makes finding your favourite type of aircraft much easier. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Radio User - SBS Files - September 2006 Issue 5 - Answers to your questions and some background on the SBS-1 Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Radio User - SBS Files - August 2006 Issue 4 - Despite switching callsigns and hex codes, SBS users still managed to track Air Force 1. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Radio User - SBS Files - July 2006 Issue 3 of 'The SBS-1 Files' investigates the variety of interesting aircraft the SBS-1 picks up, and how to improve your unit's sensitivity. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Radio User - SBS Files - June 2006 In issue 2 of 'The SBS-1 Files', Kevin Patterson looks at a typical first encounter with the SBS-1. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Popular Flying - June, 2006 Popular Flying Magazine reviews the LAST Portable Mode-S Transponder Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Aerospace International - June, 2006 Aerospace International reviews Fly! The London Air Show, where Kinetic launched the LAST (Lighweight Aviation SSR Transponder) Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Aviation Week and Space Technology - May 8th, 2006 A review of the SBS-1 from the 'Inside Avionics' section. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Radio User - SBS Files - SBS Files - May 2006 Issue 1 of 'The SBS-1 Files', a regular column from Kevin Paterson Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Daily Telegraph - Apr 2006 Daily Telegraph Technology Section: Trio pioneers air safety advances. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Stuff Magazine - Apr 2006 Gadgets you never realised you didnt' need. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Monitoring Times - March 2006 Monitoring Times' First Look at the SBS-1 Real-time Virtual Radar. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Air News World - February 2006 Air News World reviews the revolutionary SBS-1 Virtual Radar Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Pilot - February 2006 Pilot magazine reviews the SBS-1 Virtual Radar calling it a "Spotters 'must have'" product. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

T3 - January 2006 SBS-1 features in T3's 'The Knowledge, A Spotter's guide to the aircraft of Area 51' Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

The Controller - December 2005 Get your own personal (virtual) radar Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Aviation News - December 2005 ATC News describes the SBS-1. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Aviation International News - November 2005 Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Stuff Magazine - November 2005 Hot Stuff Section Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Monitoring Times - October 2005 The SBS-1 features in Monitoring Times' What's New section. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Shortwave Magazine - October 2005 Kinetic Avionics SBS-1. Virtual Radar or Much More? Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

RadioActive Magazine - October 2005 Tried and Tested - The SBS-1 Virtual Home Radar. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Today's Pilot - October 2005 October's issue features a more detailed review of the SBS-1 and Basestation software. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Airliner World - October 2005 Tony Dixon reviews the SBS-1 Virtual Radar for enthusiasts and professionals. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

Today's Pilot - September 2005 September's issue reviews the newly launched SBS-1. Click here to view a PDF version of the article.

User Comments

Here are some of the comments we've recieved from SBS-1 customers in our forums.

From Rob: "I started using the SBS-1 with the standard indoor aerial (positioned on my window cill) and was getting a range of 85nm, and recording about 230 aircraft a day. I invested in an external aerial but have it located high up in the loft space close to the sarking felt under the tiles. I now have a 225nm range to S/E and 175nm range to N/W, N/E & S/W, and am recording betwen 850 - 900 aircraft between 07.30 - 22.30 daily. I am also now recording aircraft on the ground at Guernsey, Jersey & Dinard. Well worth the investment. I hope this helps ". More

From dicky-bird: "I have had my Sbs-1 for about a month now and I am totaly hooked on its uses I do like plane spotting and therfore this is a fantastic piece of kit. So much so that i have a copy on my pc and also a copy on my laptop, I no not a lot about computers however these pages are Gr8 if you have a problem someone somewhere has an answer to help. I downloaded the Software from P28R and still have not looked back. I jumped without looking except at the advirtisments in SWM. £500 well spent and as i live in Felixstowe I am in a really good place for the Sbs-1 just need to put the aerial up higher. ". More

From biffa98: "Having recieved our sbs just under a week ago what a fantastic bit of kit and hats off to all at Kinetic and to those on the forum providing additions and extras for it. After a couple of days with it we have it located within the loft and although this does give us a couple of dead spots but on the whole the range is fantastic. ". More

From G1LEV: "The SBS-1 arrived well packed. Up and running on a Windows XP Service pack 2 platform, within a couple on mins. From here in Sandhurst, Berkshire, with just the supplied aerial on the bedroom window sill I am picking up aircraft as far south as North Spain (San Sibastian area), to the west as far as Paris, to the north as far as Daventry and the west as far as Lands End/Bristol Channel ... All in all the SBS-1 is a great item at a reasonable price and you will get hooked on it". More

From Bob: "Found out about this magic bit of kit on another forum. Ordered it from Martin Lynch last night at about 16.30. Told delivery would be Wednesday but it arrived today.. Well done ML & S. Set up in minutes. Even my non-geeky xyl could have easily set it up. Anyway, thanks Kinetic. A device like this has been on my wishlist for years. You are to be congratulated for designing and bringing it to market - well done. Now to play............. ". More

From Rob: "The SBS-1 is a marvelous peice of kit. Mine arrived yesterday afternoon, and initially with clear skies I was frantic to set it up and see what was through the Channel Islands area. A busy and exciting few hours and I was not disappointed". More

From sejo: "Like everyone else, have been dying to get my hands on the SBS-1. Finally got back home and setup....absolutely amazing...starting showing returns as soon as the basestation software finished starting. " More

From cessna24v: "SBS worked straight out of the box with no problem within minutes of arrival. With the supplied aerial just sitting on a window sill, the Sussex based screen lit up with traffic immediately. " More

From ANDY-FLYINGART: "I was like a small child this morning waiting to open my christmas presents.......I pretty much rugby tackled the courier.....Couldnt wait to get the unit up and running. What can I say but wwwoooohhooooo !!" More

From Gordon Smith: "I am based approx 3 miles out on the 24R appraoch to Manchester, I have been using my SBS for a few weeks now and have it running all day...I must say well done to Kinetics for bringing this out its a great bit of kit...Again well done Kinetics[sic]" More

From warren: "Hi can I first start by saying how impressed sofar I am with the SBS-1 its fascinating to watch even today when its totally cloudy. Well done." More

And these customers contacted us directly from this site.

From Chris : "I found a great improvement in the number of aircraft being received just by moving the SBS-1 and laptop into the back bedroom, quite supprised at the improvement of the reception, then had a visit with a friend up towards Pole Hill area (or as close as we could get) and the range improved dramatically!! Received some signals as far as North Coast of Northern Ireland, Netherlands and down towards the English Channel, think its the best £500 spent !! Ill be investing in a roof top antenna as soon as possible. Thanks and keep up the good work"

From Gordon : "Just to tell you my sbs1 is the best piece of equipment in my radio shack, I being a licenced amateur radio operater \'G4FYE\' and a enthusiastic Aircraft spotter have now combined both hobbies together.My ICOM 706 mk2g Tranceiver is also a very good scanner,hope we get an interface for it too ..thankyou"

From Dave : "Well done the Kinetic Team for putting this little box together, I have had mine for over three weeks now took it on holiday to Lincs and was gobsmacked by it. I live very near Gatwick (very built up area with flats) so its not unusual to see 30 planes on the screen but took it out with the laptop in the car and sat in a high spot in Surrey and had over 150 planes."

From Phillip: "I would just like to let you know how delighted I am with your product. For the moment I have connected a BS1100 fixed site antennae in the loft and am still able to monitor traffic as far south as heathrow, my station being six miles east of york in north yorkshire !. I will probably cover the channel once the antennae is properly in place. Thanks for a fantastic product."

From Steve: "...By the way the system is superb - currently running the aerial supplied mounted about 6ft agl and surrounded by bricks and mortar. Looking forward to my aerial installation Saturday.
Keep up the good work."

From Reg: "Hi. I would like to say thank you for the SBS-1 Virtual radar unit which i received last Friday. As always excellent service from the Martin Lynch team. I am very pleased with the unit and is giving good results from out here in the "sticks" at Stroud Glos. Looking forward to trying it at one of the larger airports. Many thanks again. Kind regards. Reg"

From Stephen: "Thank you for your help and for a Excellent bit of kit i would be lost with out it now."

From Mike: "Absolutely brilliant. Best piece of kit I have bought for years. At 65 years of age and still doing air traffic control at a small private airfield, I can now get engrossed in radar at home also. Keeps me away from the wife. Great product."

From Jordan, California: "I couldn't quite figure out if this was going to be a Euro-only game, so I took a chance and bought a unit. It arrived yesterday and I plugged it in today and I immediately started getting hits and trails! Woo! I'm going to drag it around a bit in my truck to see if I do any better in various places, but then I think I'd like to have a way to quickly plug it into my desktop and also be able to drag it along on business trips with my laptop. I'm also going to mount an antenna up on the roof. This thing rocks!"

Send us your review

If you'd like to let us know what you think of any of our products, please contact us.