Anyone using a 536 on airband? Just checking as I may have an opportunity to get one. It would be for air band only. Thanks
536 on air band
- Thread starter bearcatrp
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iMONITOR
Silent Key
It would not be my first choice for air-band. It would be an expensive overkill unless you're getting a super good deal.
My goto mobile/base scanner for aircraft has always been the BCT15X. I think the BCD996P2 works very well too. The Whistler TRX-2 does an impressive job on the air-bands as well.
My goto mobile/base scanner for aircraft has always been the BCT15X. I think the BCD996P2 works very well too. The Whistler TRX-2 does an impressive job on the air-bands as well.
I suspect you have a good deal on the 536. The 536 does as good as any other scanner but I agree with iMONITOR and his scanner recommendations for both price and performance.
If it’s only one band you want to monitor, a look at a dedicated single band radio would give you the most optimum performance. A radio that is built specifically for a single band doesn’t have any of the compromises a multi-band scanner may have. One caveat to this is if you also want to catch the military aircraft… then everything iMONITOR suggests and the 536 would be your choices. For single band scanning receivers check with reputable manufacturers such as Icom. And do a search for aviation monitors.
If it’s only one band you want to monitor, a look at a dedicated single band radio would give you the most optimum performance. A radio that is built specifically for a single band doesn’t have any of the compromises a multi-band scanner may have. One caveat to this is if you also want to catch the military aircraft… then everything iMONITOR suggests and the 536 would be your choices. For single band scanning receivers check with reputable manufacturers such as Icom. And do a search for aviation monitors.
Wanting a desktop to go on top of my SDS200. Have read many times posted on RR to get a analog scanner for civ air/mil air for better performance. The 536 popped up on my radar on a possible deal that intrigued me so thought to ask. Appreciate the help. Will have to research some more.
Ubbe
Member
As you can get a new BCT15x very cheap I doubt that a used 536 will be any cheaper. They both probably use the same receiver design. As you already have a SDS200 you could use the 536 to do both airband and a system or two as priority monitoring. But if don't need that then go BCT15x.
/Ubbe
Just looked up the BCT15X. $177 on amazon. Works on proscan which I need. Thanks for pointing that out. Just need to verify the mil air band 380-400 mhz is covered.
Full coverage on mil air. Now am trying to figure out the serial cable that comes with it. Is that to serial port on a computer or USB? Don't have a serial connection on my computer.
wizardofid
Member
This serial port cable works on my Uniden BC780XLT and a Windows 10 computer:
Awesome. Any drivers needed? Looks like I will be ordering shortly.
Ubbe
Member
It's a rs-232 port on the scanner and that needs a special Uniden cable and if that cable has a 9 pin connector then you'll need a serial to USB cable if the computer lacks that kind of serial 9-pin connector. If the cable has a USB connector then that needs a driver, as well as that adapter cable, and depends of the chip that the cable uses.
/Ubbe
/Ubbe
Another vote for the BC780XLT
It all boils down to the antenna you use with the 536. I have an Hustler magmount about 35 to 40 feet above ground. Being about 30 miles from PHL tower I can pick up the controller's side of the convo with about a bar. I have numerous uncontrolled airports in my area & can pick up their unicoms without issue. Would I devote it exclusively to airband? No
Glad I didn't order it yet now that you point this out. Always something. Back to researching. Does Uniden sell this cable?
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536 works on wifi, similar to ethernet on your SDS200.
Thanks sonm10. Just read an article about it working with proscan. Will have to read more about the wifi feature.
⬆ this x100. The 15x is probably Uniden's best analog only scanner. You'll save a lot of money over the TRX-2/536 too. I recently picked one off Ebay for $75 in like new condition, it still had the factory plastic peel-off covering on the screen. I only had to buy a power adapter for it for 10 bucks. It's my 2nd 15x. Buy one, you won't be sorry. Use the money you saved for a high quality airband antenna if you don't have one.
The 15X is what I am leaning towards but need to find the right cable, non serial, that works without issues. Ubbe pointed out possible issues getting the right cable.
Ubbe
Member
The passive cable with a rs232 9-pin connector are the same for a lot of older Uniden scanners, even portables, and Uniden sells it. I use a generic 9-pin to USB adapter and as long as you get that to work I can use it with all cables that use 9-pin rs232. Uniden also sells a more expensive cable with the USB adapter on the cable, but then if it breaks you'll have to pay the extra money to replace it, compared to only the passive cable that maybe costs $10.
You don't even need that special $10 Uniden cable for the front connector as you can program the scanner with it's 9-pin connector at the back, using a generic rs232 to USB adapter cable. That connector are also used for a GPS that can be programmed in the scanner to alert you of dangerous crossings and point of interest and speed limits, as well as location control of scanlists. Butyl promised to do an editor for the GPS to make it more easy to configure, but that never happened. Perhaps ProScan supports the those extra GPS functions in BCT15x.
/Ubbe
N8IAA
Member
Uniden USB-1 cable plugs into the jack on the front of the radio.
Easy Peasy.
Easy Peasy.
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