Featured ADS-B Feeder for August 2026: Abdullah (9K2ET) in Kuwait
Abdullah, our ADS-B Feeder in Kuwait
For our August 2026 Featured ADS-B Feeder, we are heading to Kuwait to highlight Abdullah (9K2ET), a longtime amateur radio operator, aviation enthusiast, and loyal AirNav Radar feeder whose journey with ADS-B began more than 15 years ago.
He has been a Class A Amateur Radio Operator since 2009, operating under the callsign 9K2ET. His interests have always centered around radio communications, aviation, signal monitoring, and the technology behind receiving and tracking aircraft.
From AirNav Radar (Former RadarBox) to AirNav XRange2
Xrange 2
His ADS-B journey began in 2009, during the early days of aircraft tracking, when online feeding networks and MLAT were still in their infancy.
During a visit to the International Amateur Radio Exhibition in Friedrichshafen, Germany, he purchased his first AirNav Radar receiver. The experience sparked a long-term interest in ADS-B technology, antenna systems, reception performance, and ways to optimize an aircraft tracking station.
Today, in 2026, that original interest has evolved into a modern AirNav Radar station powered by an AirNav XRange2 receiver.
Kuwait
Zairon, CC BY 4.0
Kuwait, {{cite web|url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/kuwait|title=Kuwait – definition of Kuwait in English|access-date=5 May 2017|work=[[Lexico]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822094236/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/kuwait|archive-date=22 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Kuwait|title=Definition of Kuwait by Merriam-Webster|access-date=5 May 2017|work=[[Merriam-Webster]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501044034/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Kuwait|archive-date=1 May 2017}} {{langx|ar| ٱلْكُوَيْت}}, {{transliteration|ar|al-Kuwayt}}, {{IPA|afb|ɪl‿ɪkweːt}} or {{IPA|afb|lɪkweːt|}}"}},"i":0}}]}">officially the State of Kuwait, is a country in West Asia. With a coastline of approximately 500 km (311 mi), it is situated at the head of the Persian Gulf in the northeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south.
A Simple but Powerful Kuwait Station
Over the years, Abdullah continuously experimented with antenna positioning, feedlines, filtering, and receiver configurations. His goal was always the same: maximize reception performance while keeping the station reliable.
The current setup is intentionally straightforward. His XRange2 is connected to approximately 10 meters (32 feet) of low-loss coaxial cable and a dedicated 1090 MHz filter. The antenna is installed on the rooftop of his building in the Shuwaikh Industrial area, at approximately 40 meters (130 feet) above sea level, with the ADS-B antenna mounted on a 6-meter (20-foot) pole.
The elevated position provides excellent exposure and a clear view of the horizon, helping the station achieve strong coverage across Kuwait and the surrounding Gulf region.
His Setup
- Station: PGANRB502034
- Location: Shuwaikh Industrial, Kuwait
- Maximum reported range: 287 NM
The same rooftop installation also supports an AIS antenna for ShipXplorer, allowing Abdullah to monitor maritime traffic across the Arabian Gulf.
Connecting the Gulf Through MLAT
One of the most fascinating aspects of the setup station is its contribution to MLAT (Multilateration). His station regularly synchronizes with other MLAT stations across Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar, allowing multiple receivers to work together to improve aircraft position accuracy throughout the region.
His Setup
For him, this is one of the most rewarding aspects of participating in a global ADS-B network: a single local receiver becomes part of a much larger system that connects aviation enthusiasts and data sources across borders.
Why Antenna Position Matters
After years of experimenting with ADS-B reception, Abdullah has developed a simple philosophy for anyone starting their own station: keep it simple and optimize the fundamentals first.
One of his main recommendations is to minimize coaxial cable length whenever possible, as feedline losses can significantly impact reception performance. He considers keeping the cable run below approximately 10 meters (32 feet) a good target.
A clear 360-degree view of the horizon is also extremely important. Buildings, nearby structures, communication equipment, and other sources of radio-frequency or electromagnetic interference can all affect reception.
As he points out, every station is different. What works perfectly in one location may not necessarily work in another. In many cases, improving antenna placement can deliver greater benefits than simply adding more equipment.
Real-Time Awareness
For the longtime amateur radio operator, one of the biggest advantages of having an AirNav Radar station is the real-time awareness it provides.
Among his favorite AirNav Radar features are instant squawk notifications, which can alert him to special transponder codes such as 7600, and the platform's integrated weather layers.
These tools add another dimension to aircraft monitoring, transforming ADS-B reception from simply watching aircraft on a map into a more complete real-time aviation awareness experience.
From Aircraft to Ships
SeaRange AIS Receiver
His passion for monitoring does not stop with aviation. Alongside his AirNav Radar ADS-B station, he operates an AIS maritime monitoring station for ShipXplorer, providing visibility of vessel traffic throughout the Arabian Gulf. Under favorable propagation conditions, his station can receive vessels as far away as the UAE coastline.
SRANSX503108 AIS Station
This combination of aircraft and maritime monitoring allows him to follow two very different forms of transportation using similar principles of radio reception, antennas, and signal optimization.
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