Non Uniden BC780 Base Scanner Options for Air monitoring

[Yocuz]

I am fully aware the Uniden BC 780 is a favorable base unit for monitoring civil and milair. I am curious if any base model performs well in this area of the hobby? I am understand the BC125AT is a reliable handheld alternative, but am curious about a base model.

 

[icemantim8]

Hello. The Uniden BCT15X does very well in civilian and milair coverage for me. Of course it helps to have a DPD Omni Antenna as well

 

[mule1075]

If you don't need to monitor 138mhz to 144mhz in am mode the pro 2052 does quite well.

 

[KEWB-N1EXA]

I'm using a Uniden 15X with A Discone cut shorter for aircraft VHF band. My UHF performance is better than the cut Vertical I have.

Would love to try the DPD Air Omni Antenna but its out of my price range... Was Wondering if its directional at all ?
Pete N1EXA

 

[iMONITOR]

I'm using a Uniden 15X with A Discone cut shorter for aircraft VHF band. My UHF performance is better than the cut Vertical I have.

Would love to try the DPD Air Omni Antenna but its out of my price range... Was Wondering if its directional at all ?
Pete N1EXA

I've used one and it didn't appear to be directional. I'm about 10 miles N-W from Selfridge Air National Guard Base and rotating the Mil-Tenna Omni didn't seem to impact the signal, hence the word Omni. It is the only VHF/UHF dual band antenna at an affordable price that I am aware of and it works great!

MilTenna Omni UHF/VHF Base Antenna

Specs Gain: 3 VHF 4 UHF dBi Pattern: Omni-directional Wavelength: 1/2 Elements: 3 Tuned: 225-400, 118-137 & 138-140 MHz Band: UHF & VHF Air Connector: N Female Cable: RG8X Cable Length: 24 Inches Height: 45" Width: 30" Weight: 2 lb Features Tuned to UHF & VHF Air Bands: The uniquely...

dpdproductions.com

 

[blacktop]

I'll second icemantim8's suggestion of a BCT-15x. I have several 15x's and a few BC780XLTs. I prefer the 15x's for two reasons:

(1) my BC780XLTs all have faded or fading displays. I know they can be fixed fairly easy, but I'm lazy, so I run them remotely, and
(2) If you are going to private or public stream from the the 780XLT's, mine all have noisier audio circuitry through the 3.5mm jacks than I find is in the 15x. So the BCT15x is my 'go to'... nearly the same sensitivity (if not the same) as a 780XLT (anecdotally) and great audio quality.

I'll second the DPD external antennas as well...I've used both the Air Omni VHF/UHF and the VHF Air Vertical Outdoor...with really good results.

 

[iMONITOR]

While the BC780-XLT is a great airband scanner this is where the BCT15X really blows it away:

BCT15X dynamic memory allocation capacity
 Systems: 500 max
 Groups: 20 per system
 Site: 1000 max (All) 256 per system
 Channels: 9000 max (21120 memory blocks)
 Channels per Trunked System: 500 max

 

[bearcatrp]

While the BC780-XLT is a great airband scanner this is where the BCT15X really blows it away:

BCT15X dynamic memory allocation capacity
 Systems: 500 max
 Groups: 20 per system
 Site: 1000 max (All) 256 per system
 Channels: 9000 max (21120 memory blocks)
 Channels per Trunked System: 500 max

I had a 780 for a long time. Sold it this past summer. Can you elaborate how the 15X blows the 780 away? Been looking at the specs of the 15X lately for a dedicated air band scanner. My R30 takes care of my digital needs so have been on the hunt for a air band desktop scanner. How well does it receive mil air? Spacing is correct? Would it work good scanning for searching frequencies? Proscan works good with it? Haven’t used that software yet but planning on it with whatever I decide to get. Appreciate any info you can provide.

 

[lu81fitter]

The BCT15X is a rock solid unit. I have 2 of them and they have performed flawlessly in the 8 or 9 years I've had them. I mostly use them in my vehicles to monitor VHF analog. They work great with an 18" whip on a permanent NMO mount.

I also use Proscan to program them. It's a great programming software choice.

 

[bearcatrp]

Am surprised being 12 years old since it’s release and still sold new. So far I’m leaning toward this radio. Not quite there yet.

 

[iMONITOR]

I had a 780 for a long time. Sold it this past summer. Can you elaborate how the 15X blows the 780 away? Been looking at the specs of the 15X lately for a dedicated air band scanner. My R30 takes care of my digital needs so have been on the hunt for a air band desktop scanner. How well does it receive mil air? Spacing is correct? Would it work good scanning for searching frequencies? Proscan works good with it? Haven’t used that software yet but planning on it with whatever I decide to get. Appreciate any info you can provide.

I just did!

BCT15X dynamic memory allocation capacity
 Systems: 500 max
 Groups: 20 per system
 Site: 1000 max (All) 256 per system
 Channels: 9000 max (21120 memory blocks)
 Channels per Trunked System: 500 max

The BC780-XLT only has enough memory for 500 channels in 10 banks. 8,600 less channels than the BCT15X!

It had excellent performance on both VHF & UHF aircraft, using an moderate antenna on a 9ft tripod in my home office. Civilian, commercial and militray aircraft on VHF AM, and even much more military air on UHF AM.

 

[iMONITOR]

Am surprised being 12 years old since it’s release and still sold new. So far I’m leaning toward this radio. Not quite there yet.

Maybe on Ebay or Craig's List now and then. No dealers I'm aware of have sold any new ones in years. I could be wrong however. If they still have some that should tell you something...they're not selling.

 

[bearcatrp]

Amazon and a couple places still sell it.

Amazon.com: Uniden BearTracker Scanner (BCT15X) with 9,000 Channels, TrunkTracker III Technology, Base/Mobile Design, Close Call RF Capture Technology with Location-Based Scanning, - Black Color: Electronics

Buy Uniden BearTracker Scanner (BCT15X) with 9, 000 Channels, TrunkTracker III Technology, Base/Mobile Design, Close Call RF Capture Technology with Location-Based Scanning, - Black Color: Radio Scanners - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[bearcatrp]

iMonitor, I understand the expanded channels and stuff. Was looking at sensitivity.

 

[fasteddy64]

Are you wanting current production or used market.
I rarely buy new so I pay more attention to the older stuff.
Radio Shack Pro-2045 is one of my favorites. The 2035 and 2042 work well too. The 2004/2005/2006 all are good choices if you can find a good one.

 

[bearcatrp]

I bit the bullet on a new SDS 200. Wife will chit when she sees I bought another radio.