Cannot Hear Airport Traffic?

[IndyEmsGuy]

I am using the PSR500 updated to the latest firmware. I have never been able to hear traffic at Indy Intl airport or any other airport for that matter even if I am sitting at the airport itself. All I get is some static but cannot hear any voice. I would think if I am at the airport I can at least hear the tower clear. This happens at any airport I am at. I am using the Radio Shack 800mhz antenna. Anyone have this same problem or know how to fix it? Thanks!!!

 

[N9WP]

I am not familiar with the PSR500 but the Radio Shack 800mhz isn't the antenna to use for air traffic. They are located a lot lower in frequency, like 122 mhz. The stock duckie should work if your at the airport. I also have never tried the scanner at the airport, maybe someone else will jump in and offer a better suggestion.

 

[mdulrich]

Make sure the frequencies are entered as AM.

Mike

 

[IndyEmsGuy]

I did have some of them set to FM so I will try setting them to AM and will try the stock antenna too and see what happens. Does anyone pick up airport traffic clearly.

 

[Viper43]

The latter would be the first thing I'd check, another would be overload, try attenuating the signal and see what happens. I have used several different scanners at airports with the RS800mhz antenna with no problems, even at home on Indys Eastside I can pick up the tower no problem on any of my HH's, or right at the airport.

 

[bessiedawg]

I am about 50 miles south of Indy and have just purchased a PSR-500. Funny you should ask, because I was jsut playing with the aircraft band for the first time about an hour ago.

I previously had a Pro-96. While I am too far away to hear airport traffic, the Pro-96 did a reasonable job in picking up aircraft over my area. I tried using both the 800 antenna, as well as the stock. The stock did a little better job, but the 800 was ok too.

I tried aircraft on the PSR-500 with the stock antenna, and I noticed that the reception is noticeably weaker. I am not especailly surprised, as I have noticed that the more high end these units are, the more compromised the aircraft band is. I think we have to keep in mond that they simply are not designed for aircraft. However just on first pass, the Pro-96 seems to do much better on aircraft as compared to PSR-500..

 

[markanderson]

aircraft

what is the frequency you have
have this frequency 121.100 good
132.775 good
119.050 good

 

[ind224]

airport testing

I like to use the ATIS as a beacon/ propagation/antenna check. Much lower power than the planes and controllers.
International 134.250 AM
Eagle Creek 121.575 AM
Downtown Heliport 118.250 AM (tough even on my discone/ LMR 400 @ St Fairgrounds

2045 is one of the best I have ever used for air including mil and the win96 extended 96 is much better in the mil 200-400 than regular VHF 118-136 regardless of the antenna. Super deaf even at the airport and very sensitive to physical orientation.

 

[W9NES]

If you are monitoring air traffic you need to have it set in the am mode for the 118-135Mhz aircraft band.Airport Police and Fire on are MECA system 1 on the 800Mhz trunking system