Anonymous Mode

[JJ Campbell]

I am at a loss to understand the allure of Anonymous Mode on ADS-B. To me, the ability of another pilot to unambiguously get my attention via my tail number to convey important information, far outweighs any perceived improvement in my privacy.

What am I missing?

[ShawnM]

I am at a loss to understand the allure of Anonymous Mode on ADS-B. To me, the ability of another pilot to unambiguously get my attention via my tail number to convey important information, far outweighs any perceived improvement in my privacy.

What am I missing?

It is all about privacy, that's it. People are trying to protect what little shread of privacy they have left. This is what thousands of pilots fought for and continue to fight for and the FAA is listening to those with a 1090 system. I get it that there are those who simply dont care but there are equally as many who do.

Besides, how would a pilot of another aircraft who sees you and your tail number on his ads-b screen even know what frequency you are on to contact you with said "important information"?

[drseti]

Those who don't use Anonymous Mode clearly lack an adequate sense of paranoia. They probably don't even believe in chemtrails, and certainly don't ever worry about using a cellphone. They may even foolishly transmit their callsigns over the radio, put return addresses on their letters, and maybe even post to unsecure forums such as this one.

[JJ Campbell]

Those who don't use Anonymous Mode clearly lack an adequate sense of paranoia. They probably don't even believe in chemtrails, and certainly don't ever worry about using a cellphone. They may even foolishly transmit their callsigns over the radio, put return addresses on their letters, and maybe even post to unsecure forums such as this one.

LOL

[chicagorandy]

WHAT'S THIS?!?!?!?

Are you saying that what I post on an internet forum like this one ISN'T kept secret from the rest of the world?

CRIKEY!@!@!!

I sure hope my grocery store isn't out of Reynolds Wrap - I got hats to make!

[drseti]

I sure hope my grocery store isn't out of Reynolds Wrap - I got hats to make!

Those aluminum foil hats don't work. They're just part of a scam by RJ Reynolds to trick you into buying more of their tinfoil and cigarettes.

[chicagorandy]

I sure hope my grocery store isn't out of Reynolds Wrap - I got hats to make!

Those aluminum foil hats don't work. They're just part of a scam by RJ Reynolds to trick you into buying more of their tinfoil and cigarettes.

Oh RATZ! - I reckon it's best if I go back down into my bungalow basement bunker to enjoy an MRE and have a lie down on the cot.

[Warmi]

I am at a loss to understand the allure of Anonymous Mode on ADS-B. To me, the ability of another pilot to unambiguously get my attention via my tail number to convey important information, far outweighs any perceived improvement in my privacy.

What am I missing?

I guess missing the fact that we are all in individuals ... for instance my wife still clings to her Windows phone because she thinks that iOS and especially Android are just tracking way too much data while I don’t really care that much as long as this data is not available publicly ( including to various authorities without a valid court order ).

[Wm.Ince]

Those who don't use Anonymous Mode clearly lack an adequate sense of paranoia. They probably don't even believe in chemtrails, and certainly don't ever worry about using a cellphone. They may even foolishly transmit their callsigns over the radio, put return addresses on their letters, and maybe even post to unsecure forums such as this one.

Good point.
Come to think of it . . . perhaps that's why we have lost a few alter ego members lately.

[FastEddieB]

I am at a loss to understand the allure of Anonymous Mode on ADS-B. To me, the ability of another pilot to unambiguously get my attention via my tail number to convey important information, far outweighs any perceived improvement in my privacy.

What am I missing?

I kept my ADSB-out installation as simple as possible, so no “Anonymous” mode switch installed.

1) My general philosophy is to not go places I’m not supposed to be. So I don’t have to worry about who knows where I am. Has served me well to date.

2) If things ever get to the point where I need to go to full outlaw mode, I can just turn off my transponder.

But That’s Just Me!(tm)

[rcpilot]

Those who don't use Anonymous Mode clearly lack an adequate sense of paranoia. They probably don't even believe in chemtrails, and certainly don't ever worry about using a cellphone. They may even foolishly transmit their callsigns over the radio, put return addresses on their letters, and maybe even post to unsecure forums such as this one.

Speaking of cell phones, I saw on the news that Israel has something that let's it track the location of every person with a cell phone. Since they apparently also know who is Covid+ if they see a Covid- person to close to them(based on their cell phone location)they text the Covid- person that they have to quarantine themselves. There goes the neighborhood.

[zodiac flyer]

Anonymous mode is not anonymous to the FAA
They are fully aware of who you are and where and when you are flying.
Dave
N601XP

[Warmi]

Anonymous mode is not anonymous to the FAA
They are fully aware of who you are and where and when you are flying.
Dave
N601XP

That is not true. At least with GDL 82 you end up sending a generic code instead of your personal code - this only works if the transponder is set to 1200.

[zodiac flyer]

You are mistaken, the generic code shows up to everyone else, the FAA see who you are, even when you are in the anonymous mode.
Their computer system deciphers it.
Dave

[Warmi]

You are mistaken, the generic code shows up to everyone else, the FAA see who you are, even when you are in the anonymous mode.
Their computer system deciphers it.
Dave

It depends - the ADSB message format is publicly available ( right here for a short description https://mode-s.org/decode/adsb/introduction.html ) and there is no magic hidden FAA fields - you either transmitting a valid ICAO number or a generated one.
The only question is on the implementation - some devices will transmit your real ICAO for a few minutes ( on the ground ) so that ATC can establish a link and then switches to a random ( in essence they will know who you are while everyone else won't ) but, again, that depends on the device and where you are on the ground.