Need more radios

[Zombiel3]

Hello Everyone,
I recently purchased a Uniden Bearcat 125AT to monitor airshows. This is my first time owning a scanner and I love the unit, but I've been told in another thread that you can never have too many radios. So I'm looking for recommendations on a less expensive, perhaps even second-hand radio that picks up civilian and military airband that is relatively simple to use.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

What's your budget? Why not acquire a 2nd 125AT second hand? "Less expensive" does not necessarily equate to "quality". $129.95 (for a new BCT125AT) is hard to beat for a quality airband receiver. Cheaper than that and you'd be in CCR territory & I'd strongly advise you to steer clear of them

 

[Echo4Thirty]

If you are looking for a mobile or a base, dont overlook a BCT15X.

 

[rk911]

I have and use a RS Pro-43, a fine civilian and military airband scanner.

RigPix Database - RadioShack/Realistic - Pro-43 (20-300)

 

[prcguy]

I have and use a RS Pro-43, a fine civilian and military airband scanner.

RigPix Database - RadioShack/Realistic - Pro-43 (20-300)

The PRO-43 was very good at VHF/UHF air. The best I’ve come across is the Yupiteru MVT-7100, very sensitive and a favorite of plane chasers.

 

[10-43]

I have 2 Radio Shack PRO-164 made by GRE which perform well on VHF and UHF air. However, they are larger than the BC125AT and similar in size to the PRO-43, also made by GRE. It has full coverage with AM mode on all airbands. I saw one recently on eBay for about $50.

Unfortunately Uniden screwed up on the BC125AT milair coverage. I wish they hadn't. When they were first introduced, I wanted one. Uniden assumed that 380-400 Mhz had been devoted to P25 trunking. This is not the case. Military frequency assignments do not follow band plans This has been discussed a few times on RR. I saw a post from this past week, that someone confirmed the US Air Force F16 demo team operates on 384.55 Mhz.

Given the price and performance reputation of the BC125AT, it is still worthy of consideration. Especially the price. I passed on getting the BC125AT. I didn't want a scanner lacking coverage on milair. I bought the BCD325P2 and it includes 380-400 Mhz and also a very good performer on civil and milair. I also needed a newer P25 scanner for P25 Phase 2. It is the same size and form factor of the BC125AT. I also have the BCT15X and it is the best scanner I have ever had for civil and milair. It too has the complete UHF military band. Great receiver performance and loud clear audio.

There is still a fair amount of AM aircraft transmissions between 380-399.975 Mhz. I monitored a few last summer from Marathon Florida. Also, do not leave out AM aircraft transmissions between 137-143.975 Mhz and 148-150.775 Mhz. The USAF Thunderbirds operate on 140.40 and 141.85 as well as UHF frequencies. All military aircraft frequency assignments are 25kz spacing regardless if VHF or UHF. Although rare, military aircraft may also operate on 116-118 Mhz. The radios will tune there and it does get used. I am aware of this from personal experience with ATC radio on military airfields.

The European and Australian version of the BC125AT has 380-400Mhz, so the missing 380-400 Mhz doesn't seem to be for avoiding some sort of image or intermod issue as suggested in some posts. I investigated buying one of those, but the prices are very high. They had been available on eBay, but looking for them recently I didn't see them.

 

[Ubbe]

The European and Australian version of the BC125AT has 380-400Mhz, so the missing 380-400 Mhz doesn't seem to be for avoiding some sort of image or intermod issue as suggested in some posts. I investigated buying one of those, but the prices are very high. They had been available on eBay, but looking for them recently I didn't see them.

There's one US BC125AT and one EU/AU UBC125XLT but those are different scanners with different specifications. But you say there's a EU/AU version of BC125AT? What would the model name be of that scanner?


BC125
VHF High 1 Band
(NFM) 138.150 MHz 0.3 uV
(FM) 157.100 MHz 0.2 uV
(NFM) 161.985 MHz 0.2 uV
(NFM) 173.225 MHz 0.2 uV
VHF High 2 Band
(AM) 225.050 MHz 0.4 uV
(AM) 272.950 MHz 0.4 uV
(AM) 315.050 MHz 0.4 uV
UHF Band
(AM) 325.050 MHz 0.4 uV
(NFM) 406.875 MHz 0.3 uV
(NFM) 511.9125 MHz 0.3 uV
Close Call Sensitivity (No Modulation)
VHF Low Band
(NFM) 40.8400 MHz 282 uV
Aircraft Band
(AM) 127.1750 MHz 112 uV
VHF High 1 Band
(NFM) 173.2250 MHz 0.89 uV
VHF High 2 Band
(AM) 315.0500 MHz 200 uV
UHF Band
(NFM) 406.875 MHz 0.3 uV
Signal Noise Ratio (nominal)
VHF Low Band
(AM) 25.0050 MHz 48dB
(NFM) 40.8400 MHz 37dB
Aircraft Band
(AM) 127.1750 MHz 48dB
VHF High 1 Band
(FM) 157.100 MHz 42dB
(NFM) 173.2250 MHz 37dB
VHF High 2 Band
(AM) 225.0500 MHz 48dB
UHF Band
(AM) 325.0500 MHz 49dB
(NFM) 511.9125 MHz 34dB

UBC125
(FM) 173.225 MHz 0.2 uV
VHF High 2 Band
(AM) 225.050 MHz 0.4 uV
(AM) 272.950 MHz 0.4 uV
(AM) 315.050 MHz 0.4 uV
UHF Band
(AM) 325.050 MHz 0.4 uV
(FM) 406.875 MHz 0.3 uV
(FM) 511.9125 MHz 0.3 uV
Public Service Band
(FM) 806.000 MHz 0.3uV
(FM) 857.150 MHz 0.3uV
(FM) 954.9125 MHz 0.3uV
Close Call Sensitivity (No Modulation, Nominal)
VHF Low Band
(FM) 54.050 MHz 320 uV
Aircraft Band
(AM) 127.175 MHz 130 uV
VHF High 1 Band
(FM) 161.9875 MHz 100 uV
VHF High 2 Band
(AM) 272.950 MHz 140 uV
UHF Band
(FM) 406.875 MHz 180 uV
(FM) 857.150 MHz 280uV
Signal Noise Ratio (nominal)
VHF Low Band
(AM) 25.0050 MHz 46dB
(FM) 54.050 MHz 42dB
Aircraft Band
(AM) 127.175 MHz 47dB
VHF High 1 Band
(FM) 161.9875 MHz 42dB
VHF High 2 Band
(AM) 272.950 MHz 46dB
UHF Band
(AM) 325.050 MHz 48dB
(FM) 406.875 MHz 41dB
(FM) 857.150 MHz 42dB

/Ubbe

 

[Scan125]

The UBC125XLT is the Uniden European version of the US BC125AT
The UBC126AT is the Uniden Australian/New Zealand version of the US BC125AT / UBC125XLT
The Albrecht AE125 is a German licensed version (so one could say more EU) version of the UBC125XLT

The basic difference of these are detailed here: Scan125 Control Program User Manual

 

[Zombiel3]

What's your budget? Why not acquire a 2nd 125AT second hand? "Less expensive" does not necessarily equate to "quality". $129.95 (for a new BCT125AT) is hard to beat for a quality airband receiver. Cheaper than that and you'd be in CCR territory & I'd strongly advise you to steer clear of them

I don't really have a budget. I'm Canadian so my Bearcat was $222.30 CAD after taxes and shipping on Amazon. I don't mind that price, I was just looking to get a second radio for around 100 bucks to play with until I figure out what I'm actually doing. I don't even know why I need a second radio, it was just suggested to me because I live close to 2 airports so I figured if I can pick one up for cheap I'd be OK with that.
I never considered getting a second 125AT. I suppose I could but since I'm very new to this I kind of wanted to try something else to compare.

Also I don't know what CCR is, sorry. (I know who CCR is tho if that helps! )

 

[Zombiel3]

If you are looking for a mobile or a base, dont overlook a BCT15X.

I haven't considered a base unit but since I'm 5 seconds from CFB Trenton it's definitely something to think about.
Thanks!

 

[Zombiel3]

I have and use a RS Pro-43, a fine civilian and military airband scanner.

RigPix Database - RadioShack/Realistic - Pro-43 (20-300)

I was actually searching EBay for a Pro-43 and there wasn't a single one. They had a Pro-Everything else but no 43.

 

[Zombiel3]

The PRO-43 was very good at VHF/UHF air. The best I’ve come across is the Yupiteru MVT-7100, very sensitive and a favorite of plane chasers.

What makes the MVT-7100 a favourite of plane chasers?

 

[Scan125]

If you stick with Uniden and don't want/need MIL Air then there is the SR30C or BC75XLT. 30C is on Amazon at $102.

Basic specs/info is here: Scan75 User Manual

With Scan125 and Scan75 Control Programs you can operate the scanners as thought they were a base station from a Windows PC, plus of course program etc.

 

[Zombiel3]

I have 2 Radio Shack PRO-164 made by GRE which perform well on VHF and UHF air. However, they are larger than the BC125AT and similar in size to the PRO-43, also made by GRE. It has full coverage with AM mode on all airbands. I saw one recently on eBay for about $50.

Unfortunately Uniden screwed up on the BC125AT milair coverage. I wish they hadn't. When they were first introduced, I wanted one. Uniden assumed that 380-400 Mhz had been devoted to P25 trunking. This is not the case. Military frequency assignments do not follow band plans This has been discussed a few times on RR. I saw a post from this past week, that someone confirmed the US Air Force F16 demo team operates on 384.55 Mhz.

Given the price and performance reputation of the BC125AT, it is still worthy of consideration. Especially the price. I passed on getting the BC125AT. I didn't want a scanner lacking coverage on milair. I bought the BCD325P2 and it includes 380-400 Mhz and also a very good performer on civil and milair. I also needed a newer P25 scanner for P25 Phase 2. It is the same size and form factor of the BC125AT. I also have the BCT15X and it is the best scanner I have ever had for civil and milair. It too has the complete UHF military band. Great receiver performance and loud clear audio.

There is still a fair amount of AM aircraft transmissions between 380-399.975 Mhz. I monitored a few last summer from Marathon Florida. Also, do not leave out AM aircraft transmissions between 137-143.975 Mhz and 148-150.775 Mhz. The USAF Thunderbirds operate on 140.40 and 141.85 as well as UHF frequencies. All military aircraft frequency assignments are 25kz spacing regardless if VHF or UHF. Although rare, military aircraft may also operate on 116-118 Mhz. The radios will tune there and it does get used. I am aware of this from personal experience with ATC radio on military airfields.

The European and Australian version of the BC125AT has 380-400Mhz, so the missing 380-400 Mhz doesn't seem to be for avoiding some sort of image or intermod issue as suggested in some posts. I investigated buying one of those, but the prices are very high. They had been available on eBay, but looking for them recently I didn't see them.

I didn't realize the BC125AT didn't have 380-400. All of my frequencies so far are below that in the 200 and low 300 range. The Thunderbirds are coming to Ottawa in September so 384.55 is a must have. I will see if the PRO-164 is still on eBay.

 

[TAC4]

If you looking for a base. Here is the best scanner ever made.
Good deals on Ebay used. Also you don't need more AIR BAND radios you just one good one. Bearcat BC895XLT

 

[Zombiel3]

If you stick with Uniden and don't want/need MIL Air then there is the SR30C or BC75XLT. 30C is on Amazon at $102.

Basic specs/info is here: Scan75 User Manual

With Scan125 and Scan75 Control Programs you can operate the scanners as thought they were a base station from a Windows PC, plus of course program etc.

MIL Air is a must for me. I live super close to CFB Trenton which is Canada's biggest military air base so I scan mostly MIL Air.

 

[Zombiel3]

If you looking for a base. Here is the best scanner ever made.
Good deals on Ebay used. Also you don't need more AIR BAND radios you just one good one. Bearcat BC895XLT

Thanks I will definitely consider this for a base unit!

 

[prcguy]

What makes the MVT-7100 a favourite of plane chasers?

Not sure but it’s very sensitive, has great crisp audio in AM mode and years ago whenever you saw info on plane spotters, especially in EU they all seem to have MVT-7100s. I have one and it’s the most sensitive handheld scanner I’ve used being able to pick up UHF satcom clearly with a whip on the unit.

 

[10-43]

I didn't realize the BC125AT didn't have 380-400. All of my frequencies so far are below that in the 200 and low 300 range. The Thunderbirds are coming to Ottawa in September so 384.55 is a must have. I will see if the PRO-164 is still on eBay.

The USAF F16 demo team was reported to be using 384.55. I have not monitored the Thunderbirds in a few years so I cannot confirm their frequencies. Try using this as reference. Air Shows (United States) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

From experience they have always used frequencies in the 140 and 141 range and UHF during the same show. I have never monitored them in the 380 to 400 range.

 

[Zombiel3]

Not sure but it’s very sensitive, has great crisp audio in AM mode and years ago whenever you saw info on plane spotters, especially in EU they all seem to have MVT-7100s. I have one and it’s the most sensitive handheld scanner I’ve used being able to pick up UHF satcom clearly with a whip on the unit.

Thanks! I just did an eBay search for it. This is a very expensive scanner but maybe something I consider in the future since I do think of myself as a bit of a plane chaser. They are going for $250 to almost $400 pre-owned. Yikes!