A maker has converted an 80s-era Apple II monitor into a real-time flight tracker. The project uses an ESP32-WROOM-32 development board to process data and output a composite video signal directly to the display via its RCA input, eliminating the need for external video converters.
The system retrieves live flight data from ADS-B sources and fetches aircraft images from Planespotters.net. Users can manage features like radar views, map displays, and flight tracking through a web interface connected via Wi-Fi. The interface maintains a retro aesthetic consistent with 1980s computing.
Developing the project involved significant technical hurdles, particularly regarding memory management. The creator noted that the limited RAM of the ESP32 board posed a challenge when balancing continuous data updates with stable video signal output on the vintage hardware.
