Noob here. i Would appreciate recommendations for a reasonably priced handheld scanner/receiver for listening to the Demonstration Teams (Blues and Angels) comms. Planning a trip to NAF El Centro in January to watch Winter Training and would love to hear the team calls. Would also appreciate a heads up on where to find current frequencies. Thanks in advance, looking forward to getting into this.
Handheld Recommendation
- Thread starter Bulldustbrother
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LoneOwl
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BCD-325P2
wtp
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Air Shows (United States) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference
Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Air Shows (United States)
www.radioreference.com
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free,
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www.proscan.org
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ProScan
Computer Aided Scanning Software for the Uniden BC125AT BC250D BC296D BC346XT BC346XTC BC780XLT BC785D BC796D BCD160DN BCD260DN BCD325P2 BCD396T BCD396XT BCD436HP BCD536HP BCD996P2 BCD996T BCD996XT BCT15 BCT15X BR330T SDS100 SDS100E SDS200 SDS200E UBC125XLT UBC126AT UBCD160DN UBCD260DN...
Best civil and military airband bang for the buck is the BC125AT. It's the main handheld I use for VHF and UHF airband listening.
The BCD325P2 gives you that same performance, but adds P25 with DMR and NXDN as paid upgrades. Mine is great with DMR and non-simulcast P25, trunked and conventional, and that gives you more options to hear military and federal sytems in the area. If those interest you, the digital capabilities of the BCD325P2 are a nice value compared to the x36 and SDS models.
I'm a big ProScan fan, as well, but I wouldn't get it if only had a 125. It's more than worth it to me with multiple scanners. I like Scan125 and used it before I went to ProScan for other scanners.
Both scanners will give you the airband performance you want, just make sure to get a good aftermarket antenna tuned for your desired bands. You can find a lot of recommendations for various brands and models with the forum's search function.
Have fun!
The BCD325P2 gives you that same performance, but adds P25 with DMR and NXDN as paid upgrades. Mine is great with DMR and non-simulcast P25, trunked and conventional, and that gives you more options to hear military and federal sytems in the area. If those interest you, the digital capabilities of the BCD325P2 are a nice value compared to the x36 and SDS models.
I'm a big ProScan fan, as well, but I wouldn't get it if only had a 125. It's more than worth it to me with multiple scanners. I like Scan125 and used it before I went to ProScan for other scanners.
Both scanners will give you the airband performance you want, just make sure to get a good aftermarket antenna tuned for your desired bands. You can find a lot of recommendations for various brands and models with the forum's search function.
Have fun!
Thanks to you and everyone for the prompt and comprehensive recommendations.
One follow up question If I may. As I stated in my initial post, my desire is to listen to the cockpit comms of the two demonstration teams (Blues and Birds). Are their comms trunked? Which is to ask, can I hear them with the 125 or do I need the capabilities of the 325? Thanks again to all who responded.
The cockpit to tower and air to air comms are all analog AM conventional traffic; easily heard by the 125.
Military bases and federal installations often have digital P25 trunked systems for their own operations on the ground. The 325 takes care of many of those systems, if the ground ops are something you're interested in.
If the aircraft are all you want to hear, grab a 125 and go for it. You'll get tons of good info from the folks here regarding frequencies and other tips.
Military bases and federal installations often have digital P25 trunked systems for their own operations on the ground. The 325 takes care of many of those systems, if the ground ops are something you're interested in.
If the aircraft are all you want to hear, grab a 125 and go for it. You'll get tons of good info from the folks here regarding frequencies and other tips.
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I have both the BC-125AT and the BC-325P2.
Within the context of your request, the BC-125AT is the better choice because:
An antenna optimized for air band would be an inexpensive and practical addition to either scanner (both use the same antenna style).
Within the context of your request, the BC-125AT is the better choice because:
- Good performance
- Significantly lower cost
- AM/FM analog only (no digital) and max frequency of 512MHz
- Less complicated menu structure compared to the 325-P2, but still programs with ProScan
An antenna optimized for air band would be an inexpensive and practical addition to either scanner (both use the same antenna style).
Both the 125 and 325 Unidens are excellent handheld receivers! Whichever you decide upon, if the handheld you get sports a BNC antenna connector, I highly recommend the Ritron JobCom AFB-1545 antenna. I have one on my 325P2 and my RS Pro-82 handheld. My brother in law has a 1545 on his 325P2 and says its better than the outside scanner antenna that he has. Its a little pricey but IMHO very much worth it.
www.buytwowayradios.com
AFB-1545 Ritron Jobcom Replacement Flex Antenna
Ritron AFB-1545 is a replacement flex antenna for the Ritron Jobcom Series Base Station/Wireless Intercom.
MiCon
Mike
Based on the replies so far, I'm not sure my opinion would be welcome.
Reasonably priced: Any scanner that receives the General Aviation (108 ~ 136mhz) and Military air bands (138 ~ 144mhz and 225 ~ 380mhz) would provide what you've stated you want. There are numerous older handhelds for sale on the Internet (Amazon & E-Bay) for less than $200.
If you're planning on being on-site (as you have indicated), sensitivity shouldn't be a big issue. I don't have any scanners that are less than 30 years old, and they work fine for this purpose. I've been monitoring GA since the 1970's, and Mil comms since the 1990's. A good antenna is beneficial, but for on-site monitoring it's not that crucial.
I would recommend a handheld scanner with at least 200 channel capacity (preferably more), and at least five banks of channels. Most of the older scanners provide ten banks. This gives you greater flexibility in organizing what you want to hear (one bank for the Blues, one for the T-birds, one for other performers & air show freqs (air boss), one for the airport itself (tower, ground, clearance delivery, FBO's, etc).
RE the suggestions for a digital trunking scanner: The support crews for the Blues & T-birds use these. This can certainly be interesting as well, but bumps up the price considerably, and as a newby you might find it considerably harder to program and operate the more complex scanner.
My opinion only, your mileage might vary.
RE frequencies: PM me and I'll send you what I have for El Centro and some of the local ranges.
<>< Mike
Don’t over look the 160DN. Very sensitive. non trunking. Comes with DMD and NXDN. Can’t beat the price. Does cover 380 to 400 MHz. The 125 does not.
