4 ms·

I'm guessing (those kind of) drones don't have mode-S/ADS-B transponders.

• toomuchtodo 12y ago
  They do have radio emissions you could triangulate.
  • madez 12y ago
    Are you sure? As far as I know they use satellite links. So I imagine they can avoid sending signals towards earth. I also assume they use frequency hopping in a wide range so it's harder to track.
    • bigiain 12y ago
      I dunno, it's a _long_ way to a satellite, and only a short distance to the ground. Given the space/packaging constraints on a drone I wonder just how directional it's uplink antenna could possibly be. (Although I'd bet the satellite probably has a _very_ high gain antenna on board - which'd turn the tables back in their favour...)
      • madez 12y ago
        Making a drone hard to detect is a major priority. They'll go great length to ensure it's hard to track. However, it'd be interesting to try it. Sadly there are not many drones where I am currently.
  • upofadown 12y ago
    This random webpage claims that the (probably "a") satellite uplink frequency is "13.75 - 14.5 GHz". So you would have to dig up a downconverter that works in that band. Perhaps if the drone was overhead there might be enough signal that makes it to the ground to detect. If this became popular it might turn out to be worth the bother to equip drones with receivers to detect the local oscillator leakage from such early warning systems.
• bayesianhorse 12y ago
  As far as I know they use radar technology to spy on their targets. That was what I was referring to. I didn't read the article that thoroughly, I just picked up on "radar" signals and remembered hearing about drones having three targeting/surveillance systems....