inexpensive handheld w/UHF for airshows

[davetyree]

I have a BCD396Xt and an old PRO-26 I have been using at airshows for Mil UHF listening. The old PRO-26 is on it's last legs and I'm looking to replace it.
As long as it's quick and easy to program from the keypad is really all that matters much.
My grand daughter is really into the flying and airshows and I want get her something that covers Mil UHF.
Any ideas?

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

If you search the forums you'll unearth hundreds of recommendations for the BC125AT as far as aviation monitoring. I don't own one personally so I can't attest to its performance first hand but plenty on here sing its praises

 

[wtp]

what he said ^

 

[merlin]

A new kid on the block is the Quansheng UV-K5(8). it can be set up to scan either aircraft band and the 250 MHz air band.
These things are taking the scanning and amateur arenas by storm. Awful good for less than $40.

 

[bearcatrp]

What is with the Pro 26 thats its on its last legs? Mine is still going strong. The 125 will not do 380-400 Mhz, if thats something you may need. If not needed, supposed to be the best for aircraft from what I have read. Someone is selling one in the for sale section now. The new uniden isn't to bad for the price if you don't need P25. Comes with NXDN and DMR. Just have to learn it like any other radio. The menu system is a bit different but pretty good. Check out the user manual for more info.

 

[Chris0516]

I have a BC75XLT. I haven't used it since I got several digital scanners. It can do the airband,

 

[hill]

I have a BC75XLT. I haven't used it since I got several digital scanners. It can do the airband,

Your scanner can do the civilian airband, but can't do the UHF mil airband.

See the OP wants a radio that can also monitor the mil air frequencies.

 

[donc13]

A new kid on the block is the Quansheng UV-K5(8). it can be set up to scan either aircraft band and the 250 MHz air band.
These things are taking the scanning and amateur arenas by storm. Awful good for less than $40.

The Wuansheng UV-K5 8 is illegal to own unless you are hold an Amateur Radio license as it is capable of transmitting on HAM frequencies. Likewise for some of the other frequencies that require licenses to transmit on.

 

[rf_patriot200]

The Wuansheng UV-K5 8 is illegal to own unless you are hold an Amateur Radio license as it is capable of transmitting on HAM frequencies. Likewise for some of the other frequencies that require licenses to transmit on.

It's Not illegal to own without a license, just illegal to transmit on without a license. You can listen all you like.

 

[mikegilbert]

A new kid on the block is the Quansheng UV-K5(8). it can be set up to scan either aircraft band and the 250 MHz air band.
These things are taking the scanning and amateur arenas by storm. Awful good for less than $40.

Just looked it up and bought one! My first CCR! Needed a cheap RX-only airband radio, and this fits the bill perfectly. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[RaleighGuy]

Just looked it up and bought one! My first CCR! Needed a cheap RX-only airband radio, and this fits the bill perfectly. Thanks for the recommendation!

How is the scan speed on that radio?

 

[bearcatrp]

Holy crap those Chinese radios are cheap in price. Would like to hear how they perform. Tried looking up the specs but allot available. What steps does it have? I saw AM and FM, goes up to 600 MHz. That’s all I could find.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Just looked it up and bought one! My first CCR! Needed a cheap RX-only airband radio, and this fits the bill perfectly. Thanks for the recommendation!

There's a bunch of extra features available for that radio too, such as SSB on the hf bands, as well as Band scope mod. These can be found in youTube videos.

 

[donc13]

It's Not illegal to own without a license, just illegal to transmit on without a license. You can listen all you like.

Strictly speaking, that is correct, the violation is pressing the PTT button. But in reality, a lot of folks who have them, "play" with them.

 

[mikegilbert]

How is the scan speed on that radio?

I’ll let you know when it arrives this Saturday. Here in LA, I only monitor a few airband frequencies, so even limited scan is appealing to me.

I guess the good news is a firmware update could fix scan speed it it’s too slow.

 

[mikegilbert]

There's a bunch of extra features available for that radio too, such as SSB on the hf bands, as well as Band scope mod. These can be found in youTube videos.

Going down the rabbit hole as we speak! Thanks

 

[lamarrsy]

I dont want to rain on the parade but, the Quansheng UV-K5 is awful on AM if you try to use it « as-is » out of the box :

it can’t receive AM, so they used a derivative method of having the FM mode being a bit offset of the real frequency when you program an AM air frequency, but It is awful, really. I wouldn’t give that radio « as-is » to my worst enemy.

If you really want to listen to AM air frequencies with this radio because you haven’t got anything else around, it is mandatory that you flash it with one of the alternate firmware that are developed by the community, and constantly evolving.
The finest one -to my taste- is the Egzumer 0.22 version. It’s AM air receive is « acceptable » (it is superb to non-initiated, but for hardcore air bands listeners, it still is… « acceptable » at best).

If you have choice, go for anything else, even an used old scanner, as the AM air is what it should be, on these workhorse.

 

[W8WCA]

If you can deal with small, so small you really need software to program them: The Icom R-6 is still available and with RT Systems software it is not bad to program. They are very good at MilAir

 

[W8WCA]

What is with the Pro 26 thats its on its last legs? Mine is still going strong. The 125 will not do 380-400 Mhz, if thats something you may need. If not needed, supposed to be the best for aircraft from what I have read. Someone is selling one in the for sale section now. The new uniden isn't to bad for the price if you don't need P25. Comes with NXDN and DMR. Just have to learn it like any other radio. The menu system is a bit different but pretty good. Check out the user manual for more info.

Probably meant does not come with NXDN or DMR

And as to no 380 to 400 Mhz well not a lot there in my area - so it is on my next to get list!

 

[pinballwiz86]

If you can deal with small, so small you really need software to program them: The Icom R-6 is still available and with RT Systems software it is not bad to program. They are very good at MilAir

Another vote for the Icom R6. It has amazing selectivity and sensitivity! I actually use it with a stubby antenna. It makes the radio around 4" tall with antenna.