I was saying that towns I mentioned are located WITHIN Middlesex county.
BC125AT Expectations
- Thread starter CB62
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Other than by listening & verifying accuracy for yourself? No. The RRDB relies on user submissions to stay up to date.
RR Database Submission Guidelines - The RadioReference Wiki
ecps92
Member
I would say, 98% of the Massachusetts Public Safety data is 99% accurate in both the RRDB and the SNE Wiki, even based on even the most recent migrations to P25.
There might be a DPW or lesser used agency, but the Police/Fire/EMS is correct as of typing this (all subject to more P25 migrations)
ecps92
Member
Thanks, asking as most of the replies are from members outside of the region who are likely unfamiliar with our form of County Government
Returning to the original question: What am I going to hear? Out of the box, I enter a working frequency, such as a local air traffic.
It appears the 125 is also available from Uniden directly.
Returning to the original answer, there is no guarantee with aircraft, there are too many factors that may change the response and what you can hear.
No guarantee with aircraft. Might work with police but maybe not. This is discouraging. Thank you to everyone for the replies. Much appreciated.
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What is discouraging? No one here can tell you what you will or will not receive. We have no idea of your surroundings. Inside your home? What is your siding and roof made of? How far are you from all of these things.
Outside? Again what are your surroundings. On top a hill, in a valley, on the roof??
The bottom line is no one can tell you 100% what you're going to receive on the scanner with the stock rubber duck antenna.
Don’t let it be discouraging. Scanning radio frequencies should be fun and challenging. You never know what you might hear. That said, the antenna system is what makes or breaks a good radio system. The hobby is all about learning which is an ongoing process. Enjoy, my friend!
Analog handheld scanners have become limited use items, railroads, NASCAR or other racing, aircraft when near the airports, as most police and fire are moving to digital and/or encryption. Since none of us are at your location it is very difficult to give you definite answers. As said earlier by others, several police/fire agencies in that area are still analog (for now) the county is not.
As for airports, I'm 15 miles from our major airport and I sometimes hear aircraft overhead (but not on a regular basis) but never hear the tower or other airport side of comms. I'm also not under a major flight route, so that could play a factor in the limited plane traffic. Keep in mind, planes away from airports don't chat on the radios like police do.
This is a great answer. On my old analog scanner, when I actually have it on, I often hear aircraft in the air talking to ATC or their respective company bases. What I don't hear ever is the base or ATC responding. I'm almost 50 miles away from the one major airport. I'm a little closer to an Air Force base and a less used airport but again I only hear the planes.
As far as police in my area they're mostly on a 700/800 p-25 trunked system so that's a different animal.
Get the scanner and see what YOU hear that you're interested in. You might be pleasantly surprised BUT I'd never expect to hear everything you want on a scanner and rubber duck antenna. Or truthfully any receiver for that matter. Seems like there's always that one thing you want that just isn't there at times.
Depends on where you are exactly. If you're near (not in) a major metro area, there are lots of A/A comms. If you're in a major metro area, you'll likely hear helo A/A comms.
Here, SE of Dallas, activity on 122.750 and 123.450 can be almost daily depending on weather, with less helo traffic on 123.025 in this rural area. I hear all sorts of stuff from commuters rag-chewing, military planes doing formation work, and helicopter hog-hunting.
You never know what you might hear on any given frequency.
That is the point I was making. But since none of us are there (at OPs location) we can not promise the results he will receive like he is asking for.
tvengr
Well Known Member
From all of the reports I have seen, the BC125AT is excellent for Air, Marine, and Railroad. When I was in Baltimore City, I was able to hear the tower at BWI airport which is about 10 miles away using a telescoping antenna about 2 feet long on the back of a base scanner. 24" is ideal for a 1/4 wave civilian aircraft antenna. I considered myself very lucky to hear the tower from that distance. The signals usually are directed upward for aircraft. Uniden has free programming software for the BC125AT:
Here is a list of frequencies for your airport. You will need to lockout the ATIS frequency since it is a continuous transmission with airport info.
Here is a list of frequencies for your airport. You will need to lockout the ATIS frequency since it is a continuous transmission with airport info.
| LG Hanscom Field | |
| 118.500 | KBED Tower VHF |
| 257.200 | KBED Tower UHF |
| 121.700 | KBED Ground |
| 121.850 | KBED Clear Deliv |
| 122.950 | KBED Unicom |
| 124.600 | KBED ATIS |
| 124.400 | Boston App/Dep |
| 119.000 | Dreem/Graym Star |
| 362.950 | Command Post |
| 121.500 | Aero Emerg VHF |
| 243.000 | Aero Emerg UHF |
Just throwing my 2 cents in here. I have a couple 125AT’s and have found it to grab a large amount of aircraft comms even in my rural area of New England. I also have other scanners I run, but the 125 even with the stock antenna is quite impressive. Add an RH-77 antenna and you’ll be just fine. Like others have said/offered…as long as you are intending to listen to analog the unit is great.
Do you ever pick up military air with it, or just civll?
Since there's generally far more civilian aircraft flying than military aircraft, the odds are greater for civilian air comes . If you live near a military base, you may stand a better chance.
For me, the closest military installation is Milwaukee's Mitchell field about 90 miles away. I can hear their KC- 135s checking in with Chicago center and their own Command Post. Also, because of their altitude, I can hear tankers refuelling aircraft in western IL at times.
Additionally, the are MOAs in North Central Indiana and I believe also in Ill where, when active with training I can hear WIANG F-35s. The 125 is highly regarded for its civil and mil air capabilities. To hear more, put up an outside antenna. For reference, I use a Uniden 325 for my aviation monitoring. I use several aviation specific antennas. But for day to day work, I use an RH-77 antenna.
Location plays a big part in what you can here. Its not just proximity to airports, its also proximity to air refuelling routes and MOAs. I hope my Babel made some sense.
For me, the closest military installation is Milwaukee's Mitchell field about 90 miles away. I can hear their KC- 135s checking in with Chicago center and their own Command Post. Also, because of their altitude, I can hear tankers refuelling aircraft in western IL at times.
Additionally, the are MOAs in North Central Indiana and I believe also in Ill where, when active with training I can hear WIANG F-35s. The 125 is highly regarded for its civil and mil air capabilities. To hear more, put up an outside antenna. For reference, I use a Uniden 325 for my aviation monitoring. I use several aviation specific antennas. But for day to day work, I use an RH-77 antenna.
Location plays a big part in what you can here. Its not just proximity to airports, its also proximity to air refuelling routes and MOAs. I hope my Babel made some sense.
Mostly Milair actually. A majority of my banks are now programmed with frequencies posted in this thread here - Mid-Atlantic (and beyond) MilAir 2025
Once you have your scanner, feel free to PM me and I can send you the banks I have programmed in.
wtp
Member
CB62, i sent some PMs if you look at the top right of this page.
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