As of August 12th, 2025, NOAA is officially retiring some of its most iconic Polar Operational Environmental Satellites — NOAA-18 was decommissioned earlier this summer on June 6th, and today NOAA-15 joins it in retirement. NOAA-19 is expected to follow very soon. These satellites have been vital in delivering real-time weather imagery for decades, not […]
At Gigabyte Grove, our mission is clear: build smarter systems that work for us—not the other way around. Whether it’s managing power, automating climate responses, or tracking environmental trends, we rely on robust data and dependable technology. So when we invested in the Ambient WeatherHub, we expected it to serve as the central brain of […]
Lightning is a naturally occurring electrostatic discharge that occurs during thunderstorms. While it might look like a simple flash in the sky, lightning is a complex atmospheric event that comes in more than one form—specifically, positive and negative lightning. These two types differ in origin, strength, behavior, and danger level. If you’re managing a homestead […]
For nearly six decades, NOAA’s APT (Automatic Picture Transmission) satellites have allowed hobbyists and educators to receive low-res weather images with just a small antenna and decoder. But the end is here. NOAA‑18: Decommissioned June 6, 2025 After the STX‑4 S‑band transmitter power dropped drastically on May 31, 2025, NOAA determined the satellite was no […]
In 2025, internet-connected devices have become an integral part of daily life, but they also come with significant risks. Many websites and services continuously collect data about users, tracking browsing habits, and even monetizing personal information. This pervasive surveillance can lead to targeted advertising, potential security threats, and the erosion of online privacy. To combat […]
After Hurricane Helene tore through our community in Valdosta, GA in September of 2024, it left behind a wake of devastation, including a complete disruption of traditional internet services. All major providers were either entirely offline or scrambling to rebuild their wireline infrastructure. While we fully understood the necessity of restoring services in high-priority areas, […]
This guide will help you set up a NOAA Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) receiver using a Raspberry Pi 4, including optional Power over Ethernet (PoE) HAT integration and the use of a SAWbird+ NOAA filter for optimal performance. Due to recent advancements in the script, you can use a desktop computer you have laying around, but for our example we are just going to use a Raspberry Pi 4 – 8GB Model.
At Gigabyte Grove, we’re always on the lookout for cutting-edge tech that blends hobbyist enthusiasm with real-world practicality. One piece of gear that’s been making waves in the RF detection space is the KrakenRF Discovery System. This open-source, software-defined radio (SDR) direction-finding system is built for signal hunting, interference detection, and security applications.
Gigabyte Grove is not aligned with any political party. Our mission is to provide factual, science-based information to help people prepare for and respond to real-world challenges. This post is not political — it’s about public safety and ensuring that weather information remains accessible to everyone. Weather affects every aspect of our lives, from daily […]
This guide will walk you through setting up an ADS-B receiver using a Raspberry Pi Zero and an RTL-SDR dongle to track aircraft in real time. We will use dump1090 to decode ADS-B signals and optionally feed data to services like FlightAware, ADS-B Exchange, and OpenSky Network.