Five stupid question

[56FB666]

Questions that can't be answered by the wonderful world of the Internet.
At least I couldn't find the answers. Stupid internet ...... Grrr

1 - Uniden UBC355CLT: Is 6.25 step selectable in the 800Mhz frequency range
2 - Uniden UBC125XLT: Is FM mode "normal" or narrow (NFM)
3 - Uniden UBC370CLT: The rear USB connector reads PC I/F. Can I get a signal from this connector for the DSD+ program
4 - General: airband: Is the use of the scanner allowed on a passenger aircraft. It would be nice to know in advance whether we are falling
5 - Yaesu FTA-250L: How "slowly" the radio scans the memory channels

 

[TailGator911]

I can answer #4 for you, as I just did that this last weekend on all Delta flights. I listened on CloseCall and did airband parameter searches with my TRX-1 while in flight. Use an earbud, and they think nothing of it as lots of passengers have listening devices in their ears either for personal music devices or to listen to the in-flight movies. Nobody pays attention to what you are actually using them for. No problems for me.

JD
kf4anc

 

[56FB666]

I can answer #4 for you, as I just did that this last weekend on all Delta flights. I listened on CloseCall and did airband parameter searches with my TRX-1 while in flight. Use an earbud, and they think nothing of it as lots of passengers have listening devices in their ears either for personal music devices or to listen to the in-flight movies. Nobody pays attention to what you are actually using them for. No problems for me.

JD
kf4anc

So the name of the game is not getting caught and don't attention to

 

[RogerH11]

Questions that can't be answered by the wonderful world of the Internet.
At least I couldn't find the answers. Stupid internet ...... Grrr

1 - Uniden UBC355CLT: Is 6.25 step selectable in the 800Mhz frequency range
2 - Uniden UBC125XLT: Is FM mode "normal" or narrow (NFM)
3 - Uniden UBC370CLT: The rear USB connector reads PC I/F. Can I get a signal from this connector for the DSD+ program
4 - General: airband: Is the use of the scanner allowed on a passenger aircraft. It would be nice to know in advance whether we are falling
5 - Yaesu FTA-250L: How "slowly" the radio scans the memory channels

1.UBC = Europe so bandplans are different.
2. Assume NFM
3. You probably can if it also equals a discriminator tap output or probably not.
4. Check local laws and Airline used
5. Good old, wide-band receivers were always slow compared to "mass-produced" scanners and always wondered about that. My guess is because its a good wide-band receiver instead of a scanner and perhaps some patent issues they don't want to pay. Hint: I've always programmed my slow radios in freq order, meaning don't mix and match freq range. Go from 46Mhz to 155 to 460 in order will increase scan rate. Also having a bank or a program scan to follow only the most essential channels at times to greatly reduce the need for speed.

 

[TailGator911]

So the name of the game is not getting caught and don't attention to

The main name of the game is not keying a mic on a transceiver while in flight, that is the bozo no-no aboard an airliner. The general population does not understand our hobby and some see scanners as nefarious equipment used by criminals or spies to listen to police coms for criminal purposes. A scanner on an airplane might even scare some people these days post 911. I simply want to avoid any misunderstandings when scanning in public so I usually use my Rabbit earpiece and keep the radio in a cargo pocket of my shorts or in my backpack etc. No need to invite problems these days. I accept that our world is different now and hysteria runs rampant, so it is best to keep a low profile even being a law-abiding citizen.

JD
kf4anc

 

[RogerH11]

Great point, I had that problem taking a scanner to work back in the 90's let alone today. We could tell them its an old cell phone today though.

 

[ko6jw_2]

Questions that can't be answered by the wonderful world of the Internet.
At least I couldn't find the answers. Stupid internet ...... Grrr

1 - Uniden UBC355CLT: Is 6.25 step selectable in the 800Mhz frequency range
2 - Uniden UBC125XLT: Is FM mode "normal" or narrow (NFM)
3 - Uniden UBC370CLT: The rear USB connector reads PC I/F. Can I get a signal from this connector for the DSD+ program
4 - General: airband: Is the use of the scanner allowed on a passenger aircraft. It would be nice to know in advance whether we are falling
5 - Yaesu FTA-250L: How "slowly" the radio scans the memory channels

The use of a scanner is NOT allowed on commercial flights (including Delta). This is an FAA regulation. It can be done with the permission of the captain. Good luck with that one. I've operated ham radio equipment of private planes, but only after we tested it while observing the instruments.

Myth. These regulations were made to keep scanner hobbyists from enjoying themselves on long flights.

Wrong. These regulations were made to prevent interference with the planes' electronic systems.

Wait. That's never going to happen.

OK. Then why did people who probably know more than you do about planes come up with this rule.

Answer. Because it is a real risk. Slight but real.

And hey, you're on the plane too!

Now a little story. I was on a short commuter flight which was not going to go above 10,000 feet. Thus, no computer or electronic use period. A young boy refused the stewardess' request to turn off his iPad and stow for the flight. His mother decided to argue with the stewardess. Not smart. Failure to follow the orders of the flight crew is a federal offense. The plane was still on the tarmac. We returned to the gate and the entire family was removed from the plane by security.

By the way if the plane is falling, you'll know. I guarantee it. Your radio will be a great comfort while you're waiting to hit the ground.

 

[TailGator911]

Paranoid is a state of mind, me thinks.

I've carried scanners on planes for too many years to count. Transmitting a signal could possible interfere with a jet's electronics, therefore you are not allowed to play ham radio on a jet. Scanners do not transmit. Neither do FM radios, DVRs, iPods and other common listening deices that people turn on during a flight. Listening devices. They will not crash your plane. Trust me. LOL

 

[slicerwizard]

Scanners do not transmit. Neither do FM radios, DVRs, iPods and other common listening deices that people turn on during a flight. Listening devices.

Duh. They ALL transmit.

 

[StaticDischarge]

Duh. They ALL transmit.

Well yes and no.. They may not "transmit" as we have come to understand "transmitting" but they do emit RF in much the same way. If you know what a "birdie" is and what it can do to the reception of a signal you will understand. And the unit in question can use the antenna, ground planes within the device and you to help emit the RF energy and this can effect other electronic devices in the nearby area and to top it off being inside an aluminum tube, ripping up the sky at xx,xxx thousand feet, I for one am unwilling to find out if my electronic device will or will not effect other nearby electronic devices. And in my opinion, those that do are not only risking their own lives but all of the other lives on that plane for their own personal "satisfaction" and without regard.. Sad but true as you all have previously read..
But one thing for sure.., free falling won't hurt and can be fun.. It is going to be that sudden stop at the end of that fall that will probably kill you!

 

[56FB666]

But one thing for sure.., free falling won't hurt and can be fun.. It is going to be that sudden stop at the end of that fall that will probably kill you!

Does this mean that if you listen to the scanner then bring the parachutes to everyone.

 

[ko6jw_2]

Paranoid is a state of mind, me thinks.

I've carried scanners on planes for too many years to count. Transmitting a signal could possible interfere with a jet's electronics, therefore you are not allowed to play ham radio on a jet. Scanners do not transmit. Neither do FM radios, DVRs, iPods and other common listening deices that people turn on during a flight. Listening devices. They will not crash your plane. Trust me. LOL

LOL refer to FAA Circular 91.21-1D. The use of FM receivers on aircraft has been banned since 1961 and still is. The circular was expanded to include portable electronic devices later.

Oh, but you say my scanner is receiving AM not FM. Does not matter because it still has the same local oscillator. AM radios in 1961 had 455Khz LO's and were probably not considered a problem.

OK, now here is a question for RR folks: What about SDR's? I guess they are "portable electronic devices." However, as direct conversion receivers they don't have LO's. Try explaining that to a cabin attendant.

By all means take your radios with you, just don't operate them (receive or transmit) on the plane.

Also, remember that each airline can make its own rules. That is, the FAA rules are the floor and the airline rules are the ceiling. You are on their aircraft and what they say goes. Failure to comply with their rules is a federal offense.

Finally, an aircraft is a flying Faraday cage. Reception is lousy. You will hear your aircraft, but probably not much else even next to a window.

Enjoy the flight, use your portable electronic device above 10,000 feet, read a book or, perish the thought, talk to the person next to you.

 

[56FB666]

Can I ask for answers to my questions. Thank you.

Questions that can't be answered by the wonderful world of the Internet.
At least I couldn't find the answers. Stupid internet ...... Grrr

1 - Uniden UBC355CLT: Is 6.25 step selectable in the 800Mhz frequency range
2 - Uniden UBC125XLT: Is FM mode "normal" or narrow (NFM)
3 - Uniden UBC370CLT: The rear USB connector reads PC I/F. Can I get a signal from this connector for the DSD+ program
4 - General: airband: Is the use of the scanner allowed on a passenger aircraft. It would be nice to know in advance whether we are falling
5 - Yaesu FTA-250L: How "slowly" the radio scans the memory channels

 

[WB9YBM]

Questions that can't be answered by the wonderful world of the Internet.
At least I couldn't find the answers. Stupid internet ...... Grrr

1 - Uniden UBC355CLT: Is 6.25 step selectable in the 800Mhz frequency range
2 - Uniden UBC125XLT: Is FM mode "normal" or narrow (NFM)
3 - Uniden UBC370CLT: The rear USB connector reads PC I/F. Can I get a signal from this connector for the DSD+ program
4 - General: airband: Is the use of the scanner allowed on a passenger aircraft. It would be nice to know in advance whether we are falling
5 - Yaesu FTA-250L: How "slowly" the radio scans the memory channels

The only one I'm somewhat certain of is #4: unless they changed the law, all one needed was permission of the Captain to bring radio gear aboard (and/or the company also). Given todays' security paranoia and the fact that not too many outside our hobby realize a radio's harmless, it's gotten a lot more difficult to bring anything "unusual" aboard.

 

[ko6jw_2]

Answers (sort of):
1. The 6.25 step is used in some narrow band applications. Mostly using 12.5 now, but could change. Especially digital.
2. Public safety etc above 150Mhz use "narrow." Low band not narrow at this time. Ham not narrow.
3. Don't know. Probably. May need driver.
4. Beaten to death.
5. Most ham gear scans slowly compared to scanners. They are not dedicated scanners.

 

[N8IAA]

Questions that can't be answered by the wonderful world of the Internet.
At least I couldn't find the answers. Stupid internet ...... Grrr

1 - Uniden UBC355CLT: Is 6.25 step selectable in the 800Mhz frequency range
Page 57 of your manual.
2 - Uniden UBC125XLT: Is FM mode "normal" or narrow (NFM)
Probably in your manual
3 - Uniden UBC370CLT: The rear USB connector reads PC I/F. Can I get a signal from this connector for the DSD+ program
4 - General: airband: Is the use of the scanner allowed on a passenger aircraft. It would be nice to know in advance whether we are falling
No, not in the USA. You'll certainly know when you are falling
5 - Yaesu FTA-250L: How "slowly" the radio scans the memory channels
Again, in your manual.

You must have a different internet than me. Google searches can be quite easy. Just include in the search what you are looking for. I found my answers in a couple of clicks.

 

[N8IAA]

Answers (sort of):
1. The 6.25 step is used in some narrow band applications. Mostly using 12.5 now, but could change. Especially digital.
2. Public safety etc above 150Mhz use "narrow." Low band not narrow at this time. Ham not narrow.
3. Don't know. Probably. May need driver.
4. Beaten to death.
5. Most ham gear scans slowly compared to scanners. They are not dedicated scanners.

If he is using Uniden UBC scanners, most likely he is not in the USA.
Oh, the FTA250L is an aircraft transceiver.

 

[56FB666]

You must have a different internet than me. Google searches can be quite easy. Just include in the search what you are looking for. I found my answers in a couple of clicks.

1 - I also own Uniden UBC360CLT with 6.25khz step, which is not selectable in 800Mhz band. I don't really trust the "manual"
2 - The manual does not tell and I do not own the required measuring devices
3 - OK
4 - OK
5 - The manual does not tell how fast scanning is

 

[dlwtrunked]

I recommend people read https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_91.21-1D.pdf .
Things are not simple.

 

[TailGator911]

Apologies to the OP - I did not respond or argue the fact as to not derail your thread. I hope you get the answers you asked for.

JD
kf4anc