so i'm trying to get this bloody thing set up for my mate.
when it's done it'll monitor overflying aircraft transmissions and upload the data to a website for people to see what's flying where.

I'm using raspbian stretch light - no desktop.
following these instructions:
https://radar.lowflyingwales.co.uk/raspberry-pi-installation-instructions/

Currently got as far as installing the image, boots up fine.

However it won't connect to my wireless network.
When I look at the sdcard  - both the ssh and wireless configuration files have vanished.

I can put them back, take the card out and put it back in and they are still there.
But everytime I booth the pi, they get deleted and hence, no internet connection.
HELP !

Which pi are you using? 2? 3? Zero?  What wifi hardware?

cracked it.
The wifi config file linked to just didn;t work.
Found another one that did and it went quite well after that.

My mate's now monitoring all the planes within quite a large area of his house.

Really neat. Once you're on his wifi network, you can access the map and plane info from any browser. 

I love the rpi!  Dirt cheap and really useful little computers. Remember that whole thing about the $99 OLPC laptop for starving children in Africa (or something)? Somehow the hobbyist community came up with a $10-$20 alternative that works better :)

yeah I have to admit I was really impressed with the whole deal.
He's now got a permament setup in place that runs off 5 volts.

If they'd bring one out with 2gb ram instead of 1 - then you'd have an excellent base for an android or linux system you could velcro to the back of a telly or monitor.

I already have android tv boxes with 1 gb - and they really need 2.
About the same price as a pi too.

we paid £50 and got a decent case, power supply and 16gb card.

When you think how far things have come in the last 20 years, it's mind blowing.