Kenwood TH-D75A for aircraft monitoring?

[d18ge]

I’m fairly uneducated when it comes to the airband frequency and band steps . Looks like the Kenwood D75A covers (A) RX: 136 - 174, 216 - 260, 410 - 470
(B) RX .1- 76 , 76 - 108 (WFM) , 108 - 524 mhz
Will it receive military and commercial aircraft communications?
I know the Icom R15 would be best for listening, but was hoping to killl 2 birds with one stone since I have my amateur license.
Thanks

 

[vagrant]

Yes it will. Use the B side for best results. Also, you may want to put an FM broadcast notch filter inline on your antenna/coax.

 

[N4DJC]

I would consider an Icom ID-52A Plus, it’s more sensitive than the TH-D75A. I’ve had all three.

Personally, I think the Kenwood has too many features, makes the battery life abysmal.

 

[xms3200]

I agree with the Icom choice, my IC-R15 with a Smiley antenna is the best combo for VHF air.

 

[palmerjrusa]

I agree with the Icom choice, my IC-R15 with a Smiley antenna is the best combo for VHF air.

The IC-R15 scans really fast too.

 

[NS9710]

Yeah, 150 ch/sec.

The IC-R15 scans really fast too.

 

[GlobalNorth]

While I own a TH-D75, I can't really recommend it for commercial aviation band listening. The on the fly programming is kind of clunky.

 

[SigIntel8600]

I have a TH-D75. It does OK on air band. For ham HT's I prefer my Yaesu FT-5D for aviation scanning.

 

[lamarrsy]

I agree with the Icom choice, my IC-R15 with a Smiley antenna is the best combo for VHF air.

Icom IC-R6 is also a superb receiver for AM aircraft receive, at a reasonable price too. The quality of the audio (surprisingly good sound with a good amount of bass for a such small speaker), the receive sensitivity, the scan speed, the long battery life, the very small for factor, the ability to use the earphones cable as an antenna, are just a few positive points in its favor.
Once accustomed to its user interface, programming on-the-fly becomes very easy.
Of course there is also the Uniden BC-125AT scanner, which is also a very good AM aviation performer, for less $$ than the IC-R6 but bulkier and with less stellar battery life.