Mil Air Scanner

[GROL]

I bought a BC780XLT yesterday for Mil / Air etc. I can't wait for it to get here and set it up. I have always wanted one.

I was looking at used BC780XLT before the BCT15X came out. I had read it too does well on mil air.

 

[Ubbe]

If you anyhow need a computer to do searches using a BC125AT, then why not use a SDR dongle and search are done much quicker. The 125 scanner takes 10 sec to search civil air and 60 sec for mil air, if it uses 25KHz steps. 3 times longer using 8.33 and double using 12,5

/Ubbe

 

[Dog]

I was looking at used BC780XLT before the BCT15X came out. I had read it too does well on mil air.

I found a "open box" on ebay. I probably paid to much but there was only one on there and I was the only bidder. $145.00 plus shipping and taxes.

 

[KB2GOM]

Okay, I'm not afraid to display my ignorance: there seems to be two different strategies for monitoring MIL-AIR.

1. Discrete frequencies stored into memory (Winchester, etc.)

2. Sweep the entire mil-air spectrum as fast as possible.

Is one more successful than the other?

Cheers, Jock

 

[reconrider8]

Scanning is faster for sure but you will miss frequencies that arnt there but searching you may miss them also as it takes longer to run the whole spectrum

 

[jgorman21]

Ok so the 125 stops at 380mhz. But the 15x does not.

What Is the best portable available that will include 380-400? How much is actually “lost?”

 

[GROL]

If you get serious about mil air monitoring, unless you know specific frequencies and need to search you are going to need multiple receivers. I use 4 scanners connected to one antenna through a drop amp. One for 137-144 and 148-150. Three to split up 225-400. My old BCD396XLT is great on the VHF. Besides the BCT15X and BCD996XT, I use a PRO-164 on 225-400. PRO-164 does a good job too. I usually use the PRO-164 for 240-270 where it is much more SatCom to take labor off the 15X and 996, but don't want to miss anything between 240-270 that may be aircraft in AM mode in the clear.

 

[jgorman21]

If you get serious about mil air monitoring, unless you know specific frequencies and need to search you are going to need multiple receivers. I use 4 scanners connected to one antenna through a drop amp. One for 137-144 and 148-150. Three to split up 225-400. My old BCD396XLT is great on the VHF. Besides the BCT15X and BCD996XT, I use a PRO-164 on 225-400. PRO-164 does a good job too. I usually use the PRO-164 for 240-270 where it is much more SatCom to take labor off the 15X and 996, but don't want to miss anything between 240-270 that may be aircraft in AM mode in the clear.

Thanks for the thorough and helpful response. I have a bunch of old radios laying around none of which are good for this. I’m thinking about the 125 and now maybe one of my older ones -or a Pro 164?

Much appreciated. You gave me a lot to think about!

 

[N9JCQ]

I was looking at used BC780XLT before the BCT15X came out. I had read it too does well on mil air.

I use the 780XLT and it does great. Only 500 memories though, only Software that ca effectively program is Proscan (great stuff) and they are rapidly aging if the 15 or the 15X is good, stick with that.

 

[GROL]

Ok so the 125 stops at 380mhz. But the 15x does not.

What Is the best portable available that will include 380-400? How much is actually “lost?”

I use my BCD325P2 portable to get 380-400. Command posts are still in that range and sometimes air show demo teams. And anything else is possible. I used to use the PRO-164 portable before the 325 and still do sometimes if I need 2 radios.

Thanks for the thorough and helpful response. I have a bunch of old radios laying around none of which are good for this. I’m thinking about the 125 and now maybe one of my older ones -or a Pro 164?

Much appreciated. You gave me a lot to think about!

For base/mobile the BCT15X is only $188 on Amazon. I would suggest it over the PRO-164 unless you want a handheld. Good used PRO-164 on eBay are $100. Be very picky about the seller ratings, and read the description carefully as these scanners went out of production about 14 years ago. If you can get a good copy you will like it, but the reception performance and audio of the BCT15X is definately better. The tuning steps of the BC125AT could be frustrating doing searches, and if you do go to airshows you may be unable to pick up a demo team between 380 and 400, but the Blue Angles and Thunderbirds do not operate in that range. I have seen listings for the Thunderbirds in the 380-400 range, but I have never monitored them there. Mostly been 141.85 and one of the listed UHF frequencies below 380.

All these frequencies in the wiki include what I have picked at airshows in probably the last 10 years.

Air Shows (United States) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Air Shows (United States)

www.radioreference.com

 

[eorange]

What are those NORAD freqs?

All here:

Mid-Atlantic MilAir 2023

E-6B Photo Shootout I got the bottom and rear two months ago, you guys caught the sides, all we need is someone to post the inside of the cockpit and the cabin and we will be able to piece the puzzle together

forums.radioreference.com

 

[fasteddy64]

If you anyhow need a computer to do searches using a BC125AT, then why not use a SDR dongle and search are done much quicker. The 125 scanner takes 10 sec to search civil air and 60 sec for mil air, if it uses 25KHz steps. 3 times longer using 8.33 and double using 12,5

/Ubbe

Can you tell someone who is quite new and quite ignorant how to use an SDR to scan/search?
Thanks

 

[andy51edge]

Can you tell someone who is quite new and quite ignorant how to use an SDR to scan/search?
Thanks

This guy has a decent tutorial video. Long story short, there is an sdr# plugin for that.

 

[reconrider8]

And

This guy has a decent tutorial video. Long story short, there is an sdr# plugin for that.

Too that a regular rtl sdr will work also just not quite as fast

 

[fasteddy64]

Thanks. I am affraid this is all over my head so I will just stick with regular scanners

 

[TopGunPhoto]

I have the BC125AT W/the Diamond77CA. I can pick up the fighters refueling w/the tankers over the NH mountains at 631 refueling track.

I can also pick up the MA F-15’s up in the Yankee MOA which is all on UHF freqs.

 

[Bmacs]

I was looking at used BC780XLT before the BCT15X came out. I had read it too does well on mil air.

My 2 - 780XLTs were my go-to Mil Air radios for a long time. Then the 536 came out and blew them out of the water for Mil Air. They have been relegated to analog PD and FD now...

 

[GROL]

My 2 - 780XLTs were my go-to Mil Air radios for a long time. Then the 536 came out and blew them out of the water for Mil Air. They have been relegated to analog PD and FD now...

My BCT15X and BCD996P2 have really impressed me, and I am very critical about IMD and internally generated dead carriers that cannot be worked around. Audio on both is excellent.

 

[Bmacs]

My BCT15X and BCD996P2 have really impressed me, and I am very critical about IMD and internally generated dead carriers that cannot be worked around. Audio on both is excellent.

Yes - I love my 996XT and 996P2s as well... I live near a mountain with multiple transmitters and they handle the IMD very well. That said, my 536 HPs hear Mil Air fully readable that the 996XT and 996P2 won't even break squelch on. This is all on the the same DPD Productions Air Omni with a Stridsberg 8-port multicoupler.

 

[Bmacs]

Yes - I love my 996XT and 996P2s as well... I live near a mountain with multiple transmitters and they handle the IMD very well. That said, my 536 HPs hear Mil Air fully readable that the 996XT and 996P2 won't even break squelch on. This is all on the the same DPD Productions Air Omni with a Stridsberg 8-port multicoupler.

And just to add another wrinkle... I have an R-8600 on this multicoupler as well, and the 536 hears Mil AIr better - even with the PREAMP ON!