Regretting the Uniden BC125AT

[kc2asb]

Interesting insights, Jonandrew55. Thanks. I might give the trial a version a spin. I pretty much use my 536HP and 996P2 on a set it and forget it basis and do not monitor with a PC connected. With so much around me going E, the routine is more eliminating systems than programming new ones.

 

[mobilelawyer]

I got this scanner primarily to monitor aircraft. I live across Mobile Bay from the Mobile, Alabama Airports. BFM is only 5 miles away, and MOB about 10 miles as the crow flies. I hear plenty of activity from landing and departing aircraft and the control towers, approach control, and Houston Center, but the conversation tends to be one-sided: I only hear the in-air aircraft. I have purchased a second antenna from the stock one- the Diamond RH77CA. The Diamond is an improvement, but I usually can't hear the FAA side of the conversation. I am also going to try a longer telescoping antenna.

Years ago, I monitored the air band with a Sony ICF 2001 which was fed by a modified yagi TV antenna pointed toward the airport. It worked great. I think I tossed it when we moved 30 years ago, but I am hoping that I still have it stashed with other unused or deceased antennas in by garage attic boneyard.

 

[Ensnared]

There is a cheaper way to go than buying a digital scanner. You can look for a SDR setup. Some of these are available for around $100 or less. Airspy sells SDR. If I am not mistaken, you can monitor one radio system at a time. However, there may be more options as of late.

Since you live in ground zero for Tornados, you might consider programming the analog unit for Skywarn frequencies.

I hope you find a way to monitor. Good luck.

 

[JeffersonSpyplane]

Hi all. So my new Uniden BC125AT has only ever offered up some faint, staticky, garbled transmissions. I scan all the service channels, and have even used the software to program local ones to scan. In three weeks it's been 90% complete radio silence. Is it because I bought an analog unit which would be less than worthless when everything is all digital now? I was wanting to monitor fire/emergency because I live on an acreage in Oklahoma and we've had some bad fire days around. I didn't know this but is digital the only real way now? Thanks for any insight.

In case you haven't already entered these frequencies

 

[WhatsnOKC]

View attachment 182435
In case you haven't already entered these frequenci

View attachment 182435
In case you haven't already entered these frequencies

None of those old analog channels are active anymore and are just there if something goes wrong with the digital system.

 

[JeffersonSpyplane]

I thought maybe there was a chance they were similar to Comanche County. Both Lawton and County Fire still send the initial tone-out on the old analog channels at the same time as the trunking signal.