Contribute to mlat.uk

Contribute to mlat.uk

Welcome! This guide is for anyone who wants to help improve the mlat.uk network. Even if you only have basic Docker knowledge, you can get started quickly.

Any changes you make to your feeder are done so at your own risk. mlat.uk accepts no responsibility for any problems caused by applying any of the information on this page.

Please contact me before contributing, as this information is still a work in progress!
Email me at [email protected]

Contents

Why Contribute

By running a feeder client, you help improve low-altitude MLAT coverage in the UK. All contributions are independent and non-commercial.

Docker Setup

If you want to run a dedicated Docker client, you can use the below docker-compose.yml file. This assumes you already have a working knowledge of Docker and docker-compose.

Docker Compose

Create a file called docker-compose.yml with the following content:

services:
  mlatuk-client:
    image: myromeo/mlatuk-client:latest
    container_name: mlatuk-client
    network_mode: "adsb_default"  # <-- change to the Docker network your feeder container is on
    restart: always
    environment:
      - BEASTHOST=ultrafeeder      # <-- change to the hostname of your local BEAST feeder

Then run:

docker compose up -d

This will start your feeder client and keep it running in the background. Experienced users may modify environment variables or network settings to match their local setup.

ADSB.im Integration

If you use ADSB.im, follow these steps:

  1. Go to your ADSB.im setup page.
  2. Switch to the Settings > Expert tab.
  3. Find the field for Ultrafeeder arguments, its usually the top left.
  4. Paste the following string, and press submit:
adsb,feed.mlat.uk,30004,beast_reduce_plus_out;mlat,feed.mlat.uk,31090;mlathub,feed.mlat.uk,30104,beast_reduce_plus_out;

Once configured, ADSB.im will forward your anonymous data to feed.mlat.uk. No need to install a separate client.

Advanced Feeder Configuration

This section is for advanced users who want to directly configure a feeder to send data to feed.mlat.uk. Only attempt this if you are familiar with your feeder’s configuration options.

Please DO NOT forward from another aggregator, this will break MLAT!

Recommended settings:

  • Protocol: BEAST
  • Output format: beast_reduce_plus_out

Endpoints:

  • ADSB: adsb,feed.mlat.uk,30004,beast_reduce_plus_out;
  • MLAT: mlat,feed.mlat.uk,31010;
  • MLATHUB: mlathub,feed.mlat.uk,30104,beast_reduce_plus_out;

Combine both into your feeder’s output string:

adsb,feed.mlat.uk,30004,beast_reduce_plus_out;mlat,feed.mlat.uk,31090;mlathub,feed.mlat.uk,30104,beast_reduce_plus_out;

Testing or forwarding with net connector:

Please note I have not tested the following!

Net Connect:

  • ADSB: --net-connector feed.mlat.uk,30004,beast_reduce_plus_out
  • MLAT: --net-connector feed.mlat.uk,30104,beast_reduce_plus_out

Ensure your feeder has network connectivity to feed.mlat.uk and that any firewall or NAT rules allow outbound traffic to ports 30004 and 30104.

If you find any of this information is no good or think I should include more info, please let me know!

Privacy

We do not log any personally identifiable information. This ensures all contributions remain private while still helping improve mlat.uk coverage.