I have always been an air traffic enthusiast. I recently got a scanner and I really like listening to the traffic live. I live in Metro Atlanta so there is a lot of airband activity. I live about 10 miles from the airport. I can hear the planes, but never the tower. I can hear high level air traffic (30,000 feet+) at a distance of up to 90 miles. I'd like an antenna that would:
1) Enable me hear the Atlanta tower (10 miles) and Atlanta Center (I believe at a different location that transmitts 20 miles away in Hampton, GA).
2) I would love to be able to hear high altitude aircraft from much further away than 90 miles.
How much of this can I accomplish with a hand held antenna? Is there one anyone could recommend? Would a rooftop make a substantial difference in hearing the tower or distant high altitude aircraft? I don't want to spend the money to have one mounted if there isn't much of a difference between a good handheld and a rooftop antenna. My assumption is that any aircraft radio transmitting from 6 miles up should be heard with the help of a good antenna from much further than 90 miles away.
I live in an area that is not really blocked by hills, although there are a lot of trees around.
Thanks.
1) Enable me hear the Atlanta tower (10 miles) and Atlanta Center (I believe at a different location that transmitts 20 miles away in Hampton, GA).
2) I would love to be able to hear high altitude aircraft from much further away than 90 miles.
How much of this can I accomplish with a hand held antenna? Is there one anyone could recommend? Would a rooftop make a substantial difference in hearing the tower or distant high altitude aircraft? I don't want to spend the money to have one mounted if there isn't much of a difference between a good handheld and a rooftop antenna. My assumption is that any aircraft radio transmitting from 6 miles up should be heard with the help of a good antenna from much further than 90 miles away.
I live in an area that is not really blocked by hills, although there are a lot of trees around.
Thanks.