25khz split vs. 12.5khz split

[Evell]

I've noticed that just about every new scanner has transitioned the VHF airband to 12.5khz splits on service search without the end user being able to default to 25khz split searches, I own a BCT-8 with only 250 channels for dedicated programed channels which is 510 channels short of full aircraft band channel coverage. Outside of buying a new 1000 channel super scanner for 500+ bucks, anybody have any options in the way of mods to the BCT-8 or any other viable alternatives? Thanks in advance.

 

[majoco]

IMHO there is no need to store every comms frequency, just the ones in your area. If you research all the used frequencies for a radius of 100miles, you should do well. There's no need to load the channels from 108 to 118MHz unless you like listening to VOR/ILS idents!

Cheers - Martin ZL2MC.

 

[CalebATC]

That's one thing I love about my VXA-220. Heck, it scans slow, but it actually scans the correct channels unlike my RS-163.

I don't know why you would want to do that, but most frequencies, such as 118.1~ and 136~ are rarely used, and the higher range used for ARINC ops, ACARS, etc. I can count a few frequencies that are stuck in those ranges, but not much. Anyway, depending what you want to listen to, just program it in.

 

[Evell]

25 khz split vs. 12.5khz split

Thanks guys for your speedy & informative replies, I had an ICOM IC-A6 but CalebATC, just like your Vertex VXA-220, it scanned way too slow to catch any consistant traffic, plus when I used the VFO bandscan feature, I had no lockout capability which meant ATIS & ACARS would lock up the transceiver which meant I had to keep pressing the scan button, no default rescan feature, I want a 1000 channel scanner to listen for nonpublished active frequencies, perfect example, years ago when we could subscribe to the DOD-IFR supplement back in the 90's, 127.75 MHz was used by MCO at least 2 years before DOD actually published it, I ran across it just by scanning & watching the display & bingo, new frequency for me, plugged it in another scanner & found out that it was MCO's busiest APP channel at that time, I think I'll grab a 785 for home use to track those elusive nonpublished frequencies & use my BCT-8 for local published frequencies, again, thanks guys & a very merry XMAS to all.

 

[captkel]

VXA-220 , it scans slow

Hay Caleb: I noticed that you occasionally mention this. I too have one and have from time to time used it on the Miami / ZMA feeds. Maybe what your talking about is the SLOOOOW scan-resume speed. I changed mine to resume scan when there is no longer a carrier transmitted. The default hold time is 5 seconds. See page 39 of the manual under the heading RESM to change it or give me a holler. Hopefully that is the problem on your end!! OK got to go Christmas shopping now for more radios, etc. LOL

Merry Christmas Y'all

 

[CalebATC]

VXA-220 , it scans slow

Hay Caleb: I noticed that you occasionally mention this. I too have one and have from time to time used it on the Miami / ZMA feeds. Maybe what your talking about is the SLOOOOW scan-resume speed. I changed mine to resume scan when there is no longer a carrier transmitted. The default hold time is 5 seconds. See page 39 of the manual under the heading RESM to change it or give me a holler. Hopefully that is the problem on your end!! OK got to go Christmas shopping now for more radios, etc. LOL

Merry Christmas Y'all

Well, none of my Yaesu/VS Radios scan through the banks that fast, not near as fast as my Radio Shack. Anyway, I kinda like leaving on the delay, makes for better scanning, and by the time I look over to get the freq, sometimes it's already gone past. I just wish it had a lockout feature! The ATIS's get in the way when I used it, when I used to live near Fort Myers.

Merry Christmas!

PS- I will give it a try and see how it works when I get back home from Florida.