Mil Air Monitoring (Newbie Question)

[MrxBurrito]

Ok, I have searched the forums "mil air monitoring scanner" and nothing that will answer my question came up. I checked the wiki and not precise answer came up, so here i go.

I live in the Central Florida Area, I am looking to get a scanner that will allow me to monitor the Civil and Military Air Frequencies. I am a photographer and plane spotter and cover a few airshows and also spot frequently on KMCO, KTPA, KMCF and KSFB. So basically I am looking for something that will allow me to monitor air traffic mil/civil on these areas. I am totally newbie on this so do not expect me to understand a lot, I haven't used a scanner in over 10 to 15 years. Question is, Am I going to need a $500 Digital scanner to do so? or will an analog scanner suffice this? I have been reading a bit about digital scanners and P25, etc, is that something air traffic is using?

Any info, recommendations, critique, or comments you can shed about this will be greatly appreciated.

[moonbounce]

I would look for a Radio Shack pro 2004/2005/2006 they should be available on Ebay, and shouldn't cost too much. I would think they will keep you busy.
Also checkout the following

http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2009/0...es-682009.html

[kcoleman]

MrxBurrito,

If your not interested in getting a digital scanner then it is not needed for what you want to do unless McDill AFB has a digital system that you are interested in.

There are a couple of things that I look for in a scanner when I'm looking to buy as I also monitor milcom. With the newer scanners on the market, one that lets you label (alpha tag) the frequencies is very nice and saves you from trying to memorize a bunch of frequencies. Another feature that I look for, can the modulation be switched from AM to FM or vice versa? This is another nice feature when scanning milcom for those air-2-air frequencies in the 137-150 mHz range.

A quick glance at current models that offer 1000 channel capacity and the features mentioned above are the Radio Shack Pro-164 and GRE PSR-300. Both of these scanners are under $200.00 and are hand held units. I'm sure that is important to you also. I don't mean to slight the Uniden community here... I'm just not that familiar with Uniden line of radios. I'm sure someone can give you ideas there as well.

One other thing you might consider is upgrading the antenna over the stock one. There are several good ones on the market all at reasonable prices.

Good Luck and Good Listening....
Keith

[robertm1]

yeah always try ebay !!!