looking for cheep scanner to do mil freqs

mparker · #1 (**permalink**) 03-01-2009, 02:25 PM

i am trying to find a cheep (<$100 under $50 would really make the accountant(wife) happy) that can listen to mil freq out of the box, or a cheepie that can be "tweeked" to listen to mil...

it will strictly be for taking to the airshows...

thanks guys...

JANFINE · #2 (**permalink**) 03-01-2009, 02:32 PM

I was going to say pick up a Radio Shack Pro-2052 on Ebay. But that is more for listening at home.
You might try a Uniden BC250D without the digital card. You might get one for around $100.

mparker · #3 (**permalink**) 03-01-2009, 02:34 PM

ok...

it would be nice if i could find a wideband, but i would guess thats going to be a bit more than $100... an Icom R10 would be nice... :-)

ka3jjz · #4 (**permalink**) 03-01-2009, 03:07 PM

The older RS handhelds - including the venerable PRO-43 - might be candidates, if they're in good shape. In fact there were a couple of the PRO-4x models that were supposedly excellent milair handhelds, but the 43 is very much a legend - and hard to find. 73 Mike

w8jjr · #5 (**permalink**) 03-01-2009, 03:16 PM

Or the Pro2004-2006 radios.
These were - are excellent milair radio's.
Once again hard to fine but I see them here and on ebay at times.

DDan · #6 (**permalink**) 03-01-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w8jjr

Or the Pro2004-2006 radios.
These were - are excellent milair radio's.
Once again hard to fine but I see them here and on ebay at times.

I had a pro-2004 that was excellent on mil-air and I'd like to have another. It would not be too hot for carrying to an airshow like the OP intends though.

mparker · #7 (**permalink**) 03-01-2009, 04:13 PM

would something like the Yaesu VR-120D or ICOM IC-R2 do mil scanning... universal has the yaesu for $139... thats defiantly doable also....

but maybe my money would be better spent on an older bc250 without the digi card... ???

i was just thinking more along the wideband lines...

w8jjr · #8 (**permalink**) 03-01-2009, 05:00 PM

I see there is 2004 in the forsale forum right now

ka3jjz · #9 (**permalink**) 03-01-2009, 05:17 PM

He did say he would want to take this to an airshow; a 2052 or one of the 200x series would be a bit big to be carrying around - unless he was tailgating.....73 Mike

shaft · #10 (**permalink**) 03-02-2009, 02:10 AM

Pick up a used Pro-97, it will do just fine for what you want to listen to. You can get one for 50 -100 bucks used.

eorange · #11 (**permalink**) 03-02-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mparker

would something like the Yaesu VR-120D or ICOM IC-R2 do mil scanning... universal has the yaesu for $139... thats defiantly doable also....

I have a Yaesu VR-500, and a FT-60 ham transceiver; both do great on mil air. I had a VX-1R that also did great on mil air. Given the apparently common bloodlines of these radios, I'll bet the VR-120D would work just as well. But I've never used one.

Now here's the slight caveat:

I looked up the VR-120D's specs on Universal's web site, and there's a couple of tiny gaps in coverage there:

339-340, 351-352, 372-373, 384-385, 396-397

UHF Mil Air is 225 - 400 MHz. Yaesu does this to eliminate any possibility of cell phone image reception, which really stinks. But these are pretty small gaps.

You'd also want to confirm that you can switch the receive mode to AM in the 225-400 range; that is crucial. Same goes for VHF Mil Air in the 137-144 MHz range.

eorange · #12 (**permalink**) 03-02-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eorange

You'd also want to confirm that you can switch the receive mode to AM in the 225-400 range; that is crucial. Same goes for VHF Mil Air in the 137-144 MHz range.

Just found the manual online; it looks like this can be done. Not surprising because the general operation is very similar to all my other Yaesu handhelds.

mparker · #13 (**permalink**) 03-02-2009, 09:07 PM

man, i am really confused as to what to do...

universal has the Yaesu 120 used for 99 and i an 100% confident to buy from thoes guys...

but there are also pro 97, pro 94, bc250 for under $100 too...

just not sure what would suit me better... the yeasu is really nice, perfect size for mobile scanning, but i am unsure how it works without a keypad. is it just strickly a scanner, or can you scan programmed freq also...

eorange · #14 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 08:16 AM

The VR-120D works a lot like my former VX-1R. You can scan preprogrammed ranges, but you can also program specific freqs and scan them. To program the freqs, you have to keep twisting the knob on the top till you get the freq you want, then push a button to store the freq. It's not the most friendly thing.

I don't know how the PRO-97 does on mil air. But it has a keypad, better usability, and definitely better alpha tags. I wouldn't want to use the VR-120D as a primary scanner; it would be nice for a backup scanner. Hope this helps.