Aircraft handheld radio.

[slayer816]

I am also very pleased with the performance of the BCD325P2 for air bands. Very good audio and receive. It covers all of the civilian and military air bands. Of course it is $370, but it is also a digital trunk tracker. I also use two Radio Shack Pro-164 that are great on all air bands and a BCD396XT. And two base/mobiles. For a base/mobile the BCT15X is very hard to beat especially for the price. The BCD996P2 also does very well. The audio from the BCT15X and BCD996P2 are the only scanners I have which are better sounding than the Yaesu FTA-250 handheld transceiver.

Forgot about the BCT15X. I have a 10 plus year old original BCT15 that stays on airband monitoring 24/7/365. I am beyond impressed with it's use (analog conventional). But for handheld use: I'd gladly pay double for a 125AT.

 

[blackbelter]

I agree that Uniden 125 AT is an excellent air band and marine receiver . Great sensitivity with good audio for a consumer grade scanner.

 

[GROL]

I was just looking at the BC125AT owners manual. Is it correct that it is locked to 12.5 Khz channel spacing on 225-380 MHz? If so, that is quite inconvenient for MilAir searching. Means it will take twice as long as necessary.

I would like to see Uniden make an upgraded BC125AT which covers 25-88 Mhz, and 108-512 MHz and allow band defaults to be modified by the user as with other Uniden scanners so that AM mode and 25 KHz spacing can be chosen for searching. That one would be worth twice the price. 10Khz spacing is also very helpful searching for military LMR between 30 and 88 MHz.

 

[DudleyG]

What is printed in the manual is NOT what happens when you use the predefined searches or you create a custom search for the MilAir.

The predefined MilAir search uses 25 KHz spacing between 225 and 380 and if you create a custom search from say 225 to 380, it also uses 25 KHz spacing.

However, there is large searching problem on the BC125AT when you create custom searches. It only lets you input the starting frequency and the ending frequency but it won't let you specify the turning step or the mode. For MilAir, that gets what you want but for CivAir, you get mode of AM but 8.333 KHz spacing which means three times too many frequencies are getting checked that aren't likely to ever be used here in the US. Also on the predefined CivAir search, you go from 108 to 136, with the part from 108 to 118 using 8.333 which is wrong and the 118 to 136 also using 8.333 which means three times too many frequencies are getting checked and makes the whole process painfully slow.

This same restriction on not being able to specify the mode and tuning step makes creating a custom search in the 150 to 165 range pretty useless since where railroads are located, the tuning step is 12.5 KHz and in some other parts, the tuning step is 7.5 KHz.

Hopefully, the rumored firmware update to the BCT125AT will let you specify the range as well as MODE and TUNING STEP like all other Uniden scanners do. It would also be nice if you could modify the default bandplan like you can on the European version.

 

[DudleyG]

BTW, I am not betting that the updated firmware will let you specify the mode and tuning step in custom searches because that would cause a complete redo or update of what is stored in memory and where it stored, i.e. each search would have to have 4 fields rather than two fields. As soon as you applied the new firmware, the memory wouldn't match what is stored and probably wipe out all of stored info AND if you don't have a backup you are in serious trouble. I use SCAN125 which would also have to be update so I could even restore my backup to the scanner.

So, best hope is the new firmware lets you modify the bandplan.

 

[GROL]

What is printed in the manual is NOT what happens when you use the predefined searches or you create a custom search for the MilAir.

The predefined MilAir search uses 25 KHz spacing between 225 and 380 and if you create a custom search from say 225 to 380, it also uses 25 KHz spacing.

However, there is large searching problem on the BC125AT when you create custom searches. It only lets you input the starting frequency and the ending frequency but it won't let you specify the turning step or the mode. For MilAir, that gets what you want but for CivAir, you get mode of AM but 8.333 KHz spacing which means three times too many frequencies are getting checked that aren't likely to ever be used here in the US. Also on the predefined CivAir search, you go from 108 to 136, with the part from 108 to 118 using 8.333 which is wrong and the 118 to 136 also using 8.333 which means three times too many frequencies are getting checked and makes the whole process painfully slow.

This same restriction on not being able to specify the mode and tuning step makes creating a custom search in the 150 to 165 range pretty useless since where railroads are located, the tuning step is 12.5 KHz and in some other parts, the tuning step is 7.5 KHz.

Hopefully, the rumored firmware update to the BCT125AT will let you specify the range as well as MODE and TUNING STEP like all other Uniden scanners do. It would also be nice if you could modify the default bandplan like you can on the European version.

Thanks for the detailed info. I was not aware of those differences. I did not buy a BC125AT due to the missing 380-400 Mhz and I was unaware of the search restrictions you outlined. I am filling that need with the BCD325P2 for a small light scanner. Interesting the European version allows modifying defaults which is a huge benefit included on the BCD325P2. It sounds like Uniden just needs to take either the BC126AT or maybe BC125XLT, rebadge it and sell it for US customers. I had considered buying one of those even at $200 plus the high shipping, but decided for the extra cost the BCD325P2 was a better value.

 

[DudleyG]

I also have a BCD325P2 and a BCD396XT, both of which I use for custom searches, however the BC125AT is slightly more sensitive. However the messed up search on the BC125AT is very aggravating so I only use the BC125AT for a memory programmed scanner which it is very good for. In memory mode, you can set the MODE if you don't like the default plus tuning step doesn't mean anything in memory scan mode.

 

[IC-R20]

The SDS100 is a digital scanner and aircraft frequencies are analog. That isn’t to say you can’t receive analog transmissions on your SDS100 (you can), but the quality won’t be very good most of the time.

Case in point, I have a BCD436HP, which is also a digital scanner, and analog traffic sounds like **** (very static-y and quiet, usually, even at max volume). I use my 436 to monitor the digital, trunked system in my area but I still use my BC125AT—usually at the same time— to pick up air, rail and the few analog freqs in my county (like county fire). ESPECIALLY for air, the BC125AT outperforms my 436 every time.

Yes both that and the SDS are pretty deaf so not worth it unless you’re monitoring digital modes. That’s why I returned the SDS for TRX1 and the 436 has sat in a box since 2015.

 

[GROL]

Yes both that and the SDS are pretty deaf so not worth it unless you’re monitoring digital modes. That’s why I returned the SDS for TRX1 and the 436 has sat in a box since 2015.

I have been able to set my SDS100 for good enough performance monitoring civilian and military air bands using the Wide Normal filter, but I would never use it as a primary airband scanner. It just cannot match my other radios. I use a BCD396XT, BCD325P2, BCT15X, BCD996P2, Yaesu FTA-250 and two Radio Shack Pro-164s for aviation monitoring. So far the BCD325P2 is the best. Has the best audio and good sensitivity, and reasonable selectivity. But, with the BCD325P2 you will need to use IFX on several frequencies between 225 and 400 MHz. Fortunately the IFX does works well on those frequencies. On the SDS100 IFX seems to be pretty useless. You can tell it shifts the IF and changes the properties of the interference, but it does not get rid of it. I have a BCD436HP, but I never use it for aviation scanning. It is a rather disappointing scanner. Works fine for non-simulcast digital trunking and single channel P25. But the audio is not so good and the display is awful!

 

[IC-R20]

I have been able to set my SDS100 for good enough performance monitoring civilian and military air bands using the Wide Normal filter, but I would never use it as a primary airband scanner. It just cannot match my other radios. I use a BCD396XT, BCD325P2, BCT15X, BCD996P2, Yaesu FTA-250 and two Radio Shack Pro-164s for aviation monitoring. So far the BCD325P2 is the best. Has the best audio and good sensitivity, and reasonable selectivity. But, with the BCD325P2 you will need to use IFX on several frequencies between 225 and 400 MHz. Fortunately the IFX does works well on those frequencies. On the SDS100 IFX seems to be pretty useless. You can tell it shifts the IF and changes the properties of the interference, but it does not get rid of it. I have a BCD436HP, but I never use it for aviation scanning. It is a rather disappointing scanner. Works fine for non-simulcast digital trunking and single channel P25. But the audio is not so good and the display is awful!

The price also sucks on the 436HP even today, and that's not considering the pay to play microtransaction update system uniden made for it where even if you buy the newer ones you don't get DMR or NXDN and have to shell out extra for that. Definitely not worth the around $700 total. I mainly got it for discovery since at the time (2014) it was one of the few scanner with built in recording so I would hide it in my pocket to discreetly catch the frequencies and tones of various establishments to keep my little spreadsheet list of everything in town up to date. The TRX-1 has taken over that duty now since 2019.

 

[jcherepy]

I'm using an ICOM IC-A6 I picked up at an estate sale and it's very sensitive.

 

[Rt169Radio]

I have been able to set my SDS100 for good enough performance monitoring civilian and military air bands using the Wide Normal filter, but I would never use it as a primary airband scanner. It just cannot match my other radios. I use a BCD396XT, BCD325P2, BCT15X, BCD996P2, Yaesu FTA-250 and two Radio Shack Pro-164s for aviation monitoring. So far the BCD325P2 is the best. Has the best audio and good sensitivity, and reasonable selectivity. But, with the BCD325P2 you will need to use IFX on several frequencies between 225 and 400 MHz. Fortunately the IFX does works well on those frequencies. On the SDS100 IFX seems to be pretty useless. You can tell it shifts the IF and changes the properties of the interference, but it does not get rid of it. I have a BCD436HP, but I never use it for aviation scanning. It is a rather disappointing scanner. Works fine for non-simulcast digital trunking and single channel P25. But the audio is not so good and the display is awful!

Alrighty don't laugh but this is the first time I have ever heard of the term "IFX" What is it and what does it do?

 

[GROL]

Alrighty don't laugh but this is the first time I have ever heard of the term "IFX" What is it and what does it do?

IFX is IF shift. On the Uniden scanners it is a feature that allows you to Shift the first IF frequency to another frequency. This shift may avoid an image frequency or other interfering signal that falls within the IF passband along with the signal you intend to monitor so that the interference can be eliminated.
I have no idea what your experience level is, but to understand what IFX does you need a fundamental understanding of the superheterodyning process used in virtually all modern radio receivers. A full understanding can be a bit overwhelming when there are multiple IF stages. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superheterodyne_receiver
Received signals are mixed with local oscilator signals in the receiver to shift them up or down to other frequencies. Ultimately they are shifted down to a frequency in which they are demodulated to audio or a digital signal that can be processed to be converted to audio.
I suppose in reality it may be enough to know that it could eliminate interfering signals, but it depends on a lot of factors whether it can or not.

 

[top13]

Along with my Icom A2, in the base I use 3 Bendix KX-170's 14 volt models. They don't scan but are dynamite receivers. Make sure you get a tray with connector, makes wiring much easier. Don't forget a manual. I also using an Icom 208H ham transceiver. I am amazed how good it does on the air band. I use a GP-9 commercial antenna, 150/450 antenna. I can pick up Norwood Twr. which is about 11 miles north and the airport is in a hole, elevation is about 50' I believe.