Maldol AL-500H Airband Antenna is awesome!

[racin06]

What an antenna! I thought my Icom R20 was a very good airband scanner with just the stock telescopic antenna, but nothing compared to using the AL-500H. I'm hearing many more frequencies and I'm also hearing the Indianapolis International Airport Approach/Departure and Indianapolis Center air traffic controllers on 6 frequencies. I can also hear ground control conversing with pilots, giving them instructions such as when to push off and taxi-way instructions. Previously, I could hear the ATC on one frequency and that was very weak most of the time. I live 22 miles from Indianapolis International Airport. I also heard a good air to air conversation from two Indiana Air National Guard pilots over the Hilltop MOA on 350.350.

Additionally, I have found the AH-500H also vastly improves my Uniden BCD396T on the airbands. Not to the performance of the R20; however, I have been discovering that the 396 is a pretty good airband scanner.

Anyway, I would highly recommend the AL-500H for airband scanning.

 

[Chris-M]

Thanks for the info. Also post your observations here in the Antenna section.

 

[senduhelp]

Are these available at Radio Shack?

 

[racin06]

Are these available at Radio Shack?

I don't believe so. My AL-500H was purchased here: http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/1687.html

 

[radio3353]

Universal Radio hs them for $45.

 

[racin06]

Universal Radio hs them for $45.

And worth each of the $45 if you enjoy monitoring the airbands.

 

[kingpin]

Website says it's telescopic but it also says it's rubber ck style which to me means it's flexible. How is it constructed?

Thanks

 

[racin06]

Website says it's telescopic but it also says it's rubber ck style which to me means it's flexible. How is it constructed?

Thanks

It's flexible (very flemsy and droopy) rubber and not a telescopic antenna. The AL-500H came with a plastic case in which I use to store the antenna when not in use. The AL-500H looks to be very vulnerable to bending and/or breaking if care is not used when handling. I would also not recommend this antenna to be just lying around when not in use. Of course, I have small children at home; therefore, I am a little more cautious of my radio equipment.

 

[mjw357]

I can't tell from the photo, but I assume this antenna will work with any handheld scanner with a top-mounted BNC?

 

[racin06]

I can't tell from the photo, but I assume this antenna will work with any handheld scanner with a top-mounted BNC?

Yes, your assumption is correct.

 

[CORN]

I just recieved mine and it has lived up to it's billing so far. I am concerned about one thing. It says on it's Milair coverage that it covers 230-360MHz. That is not the complete Milair band. Does anyone have any experience with hearing comms from 225MHz-230MHz? Or past 360MHZ to 390MHZ? I did pick up an enroute center, Memphis, on 363.0 but didn't have any other hits.

 

[Chris-M]

I just recieved mine and it has lived up to it's billing so far. I am concerned about one thing. It says on it's Milair coverage that it covers 230-360MHz. That is not the complete Milair band. Does anyone have any experience with hearing comms from 225MHz-230MHz? Or past 360MHZ to 390MHZ? I did pick up an enroute center, Memphis, on 363.0 but didn't have any other hits.

I'll bet what that means is that the receive coverage is optimized for the 230-360 range.
It'll still work fine for the frequencies above and below that but not guaranteed to receive as well there.