Just one scanner.

[JohnGingras]

If you could have just one radio for VHF/UHF air band what would it be!!!!

John

[RobKB1FJR]

I'm not huge into Mil Air Monitoring outside of Air Shows. If I was into it more, I would want a Desktop Receiver, like an Icom, AOR or the really cool looking Watkins-Glen or Racal Receiver. Better yet the $13,000 Icom Receiver, with a decent antenna set-up to match. I live in New England, there is ANG activity and refueling activity, but nothing compared to what one might hear during an exercise at a big Air Force base.

[N8IAA]

I absolutely loved my RS Pro-2006. Had two of them at different times. Used an outside dualband ham antenna and the older RS discone antenna modified for lo-band VHF. Hot receiver back in the early 90's when the first Gulf war was going on. Listened to the mil-sat freqs on the 2006 and on hf to know when to turn on CNN. If it had had CTCSS I probably would still own one Used it at many of the Cleveland air shows to monitor all the action. Handheld was my Pro-43. Use my Pro-106 mobile, and a Pro-163 for a base radio.
HTH,
Larry

[prcguy]

I think older R/S PRO-2004, 5 and 6 series are quite good in the VHF/UHF air bands but if all you need is VHF/UHF air the Signal R535 is something to consider.
prcguy

[jpryor]

My good old Radio Shack Pro-2045 has always worked well for VHF/UHF Milcom air bands. For a base radio at least, that would be the one I would keep.

[nodak1crdet3]

My PRO-2052 is a very good Milair scanner. The only bad part is no Alfa tags. You can't change modes in the VHF A/A band 138.000 to 149.000.
My BC780XLT would be my next choice for a Milair scanner. Alfa tags, you can change modes. A very good Milair scanner.
For a handheld I like the PRO-97 for Milair.

[scanner_nut]

What is considered by many as THE best dedicated most sensitive hand held airband scanner is the Yupiteru-7100 found here - MVT-7100/7200 - The RadioReference Wiki

Pair that with a Maldol AL-500H V/UHF dedicated air band antenna and you wont miss much. Good hunting!

[dpm3]

Originally Posted by JohnGingras

If you could have just one radio for VHF/UHF air band what would it be!!!!

John

An Optoelectronics Optocom with Perry Joseph's Probe (Ver. 7) software running on an inexpensive laptop.

[Fast1eddie]

I do not believe in any "magic" receiver over another comparable unit. Give me a decent electrical quiet location, a modest antenna-anything will do-I prefer a discone-and good quality coax with properly installed connectors. For mobile use I have a Austin Spectra feeding my 8200. Routinely monitor VHF traffic several counties away. You can get excellent results with modest and obtainable equipment and crap with high priced stuff......Gotta understand the big picture of your target's signal direction, elevation, weather and even time of day.

Good DX..

[kf7yn]

I've had Pro-2004, 2006, 2042, Optocom, Yupi 7100, etc. but the one that performs best is my Icom R8500. Not exactly portable but it hears comms the others didn't.