[MilCom] Newbie to ADS-B Receivers and S-Mode Monitoring

[John Nash via MilCom]

I know a lot of you use ADS-B receivers to post information about military flights in your area.  I would like to get started in S-Mode monitoring by initially using the cheaper R820T chip dongle as the ADS-B receiver.  The dongle I’m thinking of using is the USB DVB-T Tuner Receiver Stick with R820T RTL2832U with MCX Interface for Computer:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA3EX33A2104&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC-_-pla-_-Receivers-_-9SIA3EX33A2104&gclid=CIfM7Na7wcYCFYI7gQodGjgIPA&gclsrc=aw.ds.

Which platform do most users on the MILCOM lists use? For those who use dongles do you prefer using PlanePlotter or Virtual Radar Server?   I want to use the one that is easiest to install with the dongle and has the best visual display and hopefully uses an interface with google maps.   

I going to use it primarily to catch military traffic going into MCAS Cherry Point and MCAS New River. Which of the two software applications has the best aircraft database for military and helicopter aircraft that is free to use without paying a monthly premium fee?  With an outside antenna I should be able to track the limited commercial traffic going into two regional airports-- Albert J. Ellis and Coastal Carolina—and the high altitude flights in the area as well. 

Reviewing information on the Internet and YouTube about installing the software is a bit confusing and slightly out-of-date as some of the software and websites have been updated.  Most of all I need an understanding person to walk me through the installation process and first use.  

Any help or advice will be appreciated.

Thanks,

John Nash
Eastern North Carolina
uctodc at aol.com