Handheld radio good for 10-12 miles from airport?

[LDB415]

Are there any good handheld radios to listen to the air traffic at Houston Hobby airport, HOU, from about 10-12 miles away with a good enough signal to enjoy listening without an aftermarket antenna? Thanks for any and all feedback.

 

[kma371]

I would say no. You may hear planes taking off and landing but no ground traffic including tower.

 

[737mech]

Airband HT

I can hear airport comms from 7 miles with BC125AT handheld with stock antenna, much better if plugged into base antenna on the desk. Then coverage goes far beyond 10 miles. Depends on antenna and interference signals in the area. FM traps help as discussed many times in this forum. Remember terrain has alot to do with signals getting to your scanner too. If that airport is behind a mountain then you probably won't hear it.

 

[jwt873]

It also depends on the height of the control tower (Where I assume the antennas are located). The LAX tower is 270 feet tall. It should easily be heard with a handheld 10 miles away.

I'm guessing the Houston hobby airport doesn't have an extensive runway system for the controller(s) to overlook, so the tower won't be near that tall. In that case it doesn't look that good.

I wonder if the OP has a local place that might rent or loan a scanner so he could check out the reception?

 

[iMONITOR]

Are there any good handheld radios to listen to the air traffic at Houston Hobby airport, HOU, from about 10-12 miles away with a good enough signal to enjoy listening without an aftermarket antenna? Thanks for any and all feedback.

Looks you can pick it up on your Smart-Phone / Tablet (if you have one).

Hobby Airport (HOU) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

 

[LDB415]

Thank you for the replies. How do you listen with an iPad?

 

[iMONITOR]

Just click on the link I posted with your web browser!

 

[N8IAA]

Thank you for the replies. How do you listen with an iPad?

You can't with the link he posted. It is just the frequencies for the airport. The only airport that is broadcast on RR is Houston Intercontinental.
Oh, and to listen with an iPad, is to go to the live audio tab on the front page of RR and click on Live Audio. Pick TX, and then Harris county.
Larry

 

[iMONITOR]

Oh man, I'm sorry! I got so excited to let the OP know, I posted the wrong thing entirely.

Here is the link for the area, but I'm not seeing the Hobby Airport. I'm not familiar with Houston, just trying to help.

Houston Metro Area Live Audio Feeds

Here is a link for
Houston Intercontinental Airport (KIAH) - Live Aviation ATC

Houston Intercontinental Airport (KIAH) - Live Aviation ATC

 

[LDB415]

Thank you all for the good replies so far. I'll check out that link to listen to IAH.