Glider RADAR

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Got Questions? We've Got Answers!

1. What is Glider RADAR?
2. What browsers do Glider RADAR support?
3. I have a map created in Google My Maps, can I render it on top of Glider RADAR?
4. Can I embed an Glider RADAR map on my website?
5. Can you remove packets?
6. Do you publish all information that is sent to the Open Glider Network?
7. Can you tell me how the Glider RADAR marker logic works?
8. Why is some options disabled in the time length select box?
9. How is the coverage map created?

1. What is Glider RADAR?

Glider RADAR is a website that brings you global real-time Glider tracking. Our goal is to bring you a fast and easy-to-use map with the latest Glider activity.

2. What browsers do Glider RADAR support?

Our goal is that Glider RADAR should work on all broswers that supports websockets (an HTML5 feature). The following browser version (and newer) supports the websocket-protocol. We havn't tested all the following browsers, if you find a problem please mail me.

• Internet Explorer 10 (released 4/9 2012)
• Edge 12 (released 30/3 2015)
• Firefox 11 (released 31/1 2012)
• Chrome 16 (released 25/10 2012)
• Safari 7 (released 22/10 2013)
• Opera 6.1 (released 5/11 2012)
• iOS Safari 6.1 (released 28/1 2013)
• Android Browser 4.4 (released 9/12 2013)
• Blackberry browser 7 (released 1/1 2012)
• Opera Mobile 12.1 (released 9/10 2012)
• Chrome 53 for Android (released 8/9 2016)
• Firefox 49 for Android (released 20/9 2016)
• IE Mobile 10 (released 20/6 2012)
• UC Browser 11 (released 17/8 2016)
• Samsung Internet 4 (released 19/4 2016)

3. I have a map created in Google My Maps, can I render it on top of Glider RADAR?

Sure! Follow the following instructions...

1. Open your map at Google My Maps.
2. Look at the current URL and try to find a value named mid. Copy that value!
3. Open up Glider RADAR. Add "/mid/{the mid value}" to the end of the Glider RADAR URL.
4. Press Enter!

4. Can I embed an Glider RADAR map on my website?

Yes, that is possible. Look at this jsfiddle-example.

• You will need a Google Maps API key to add as a argument to the Google Maps js URL (like "?key=123"). Google for "Google Maps API key" and you will find out what it is.
• Do not download the js file https://www.gliderradar.com/js/trackdirect.min.js. You should use the complete URL (otherwise it may stop working when I change stuff).
• I'm grateful if you send me an email and tell me about your website.
• It is also possible to open https://www.gliderradar.com in an iframe, but if you run a popular website I prefer if you don't do that, since you will be using my "Google Maps API key". Each "Google Maps API key" has a daily page load limit.

Warning! It is not allowed to use the Glider RADAR Websocket API without using the Glider RADAR js file. Improper use is likely to be blocked (all requests to our Websocket API from unknown origin are logged).

5. Can you remove packets?

Yes we can, but there is a catch (or actually two)...

• We need to know that you are the owner of that sending device (you need to identify yourself somehow).
• We will delete all or nothing for a specified sender, not just some packets.

6. Do you publish all information that is sent to the Open Glider Network?

No, we do not show information for aircrafts that meet any of the following.
→ Has the "no-tracking" flag in FLARM device configuration set.
→ Has activated the setting "I don't want this device to be tracked" in the the OGN Devices DataBase.

We will only display information that can be used to identify an aircraft if the aircraft device details exists in the OGN Devices DataBase, and if the setting "I don't want this device to be identified" is deactivated. When we show an aircraft without identifiable information, we give the aircraft a temporary name that is only used for a maximum of 24h.

Read more about how to "Opt In" or "Opt Out" here.

7. Can you tell me how the Glider RADAR marker logic works?

Okay, let me tell you more about our brilliant marker logic :-)

• It is possible to have several stations with the same name as long as the sender is different (we only allow a sender to take over another sender's object if it looks like they are referring to the same real world object).
• It's even possible to have several markers with the same name and the same sender as long as they are considered stationary.
• We have an adaptive speed limit filter and other filters that sorts out packets that has a faulty position.
• If a moving station sends a packet that is sorted out by our adaptive speed limit filter the packet will be marked as unconfirmed, if we later receive a packet that confirmes that the station is moving in that direction the previous packet will be confirmed.
• If a station moves in one area and suddently appear in another area the two tails will be connected by a dashed polyline.
• A moving station that reports it's speed and direction will have an animated direction polyline (will be hidden after 15min).
• The dotted polyline shows the packet transmit path, will be shown when you hover over a marker or a "dotmarker". If a station in the path hasn't sent a position packet in a long time it will show up for some seconds and than disappear again.
• Note that the time-interval specified in the station info-window (on the map) is how long a station has been on that location without any downtime longer than 24h.
• Want more information? Mail me!

8. Why is some options disabled in the time length select box?

To save performance we have decided to only enable the longer time options when we are filtering.

9. How is the coverage map created?

The coverage map consists of two parts:
The heatmap that shows all recorded coordinates.
The interpolated max range plot polygon that shows what area that is probably covered.

The max range plot is created by:
1. Select the coordinate with the maximum distance for each angle.
2. Remove all coordinates that is not needed (coordinates that will be covered by the polygon regardless)
3. Interpolate coordinates for all angles that is missing a coordinate (if it is possible to interpolate). This step is just used to make the polygon look a bit nicer (and to increase the covered area a bit...).
4. Render it on the map!

The max range plot method to create a coverage map is not perfect, but in a situation where you have very few measurement, it is difficult to create a better coverage map. Together with the heat map, our interploated max range plot polygon is a good tool for determining how large area that is covered.