Scanner Comparison for Aviation Use Only

[eorange]

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The UBC30 has no alpha tags and doesn't cover the mil air range...not for me. The guts look like the PRO84 which I sold a while ago.

 

[eagleswings01]

Hi Mike,

Yep, the 162 arrived about a week ago. It's a great scanner. I took it to Van Nuys Airport today and it does seem to do a better job with aircraft than my Pro-96. The audio is better on the 96, but the 162 is more sensitive. I'm very happy with the 162.

Hi Larry,

That's great to hear! I watched a great documentary about Van Nuys about a month ago called "One Six Right" and the companion story "One Six Left". That airport sure has a lot of history in it!

I enjoyed learning about Van Nuys through watching those two DVD's.

Take care,
Mike

 

[Engine104]

Hi Larry,

That's great to hear! I watched a great documentary about Van Nuys about a month ago called "One Six Right" and the companion story "One Six Left". That airport sure has a lot of history in it!

I enjoyed learning about Van Nuys through watching those two DVD's.

Take care,
Mike

Hi Mike,

16Right is a great film! I bought the DVD a few months ago. The opening sequence is some of the best film making I've seen in a long time. Just breathtaking.

I've been watching airplanes at VNY for as long as I can remember. It's probably over 40 years now. I still take the scanner and lunch and go hang out at the public viewing area on weekends.

The field has changed a lot over the years. Long gone are the Air Guard C-130s ( I can remember the C-97s before that!) and most of the transient military aircraft that would stop by. Most of the warbirds have moved to Camarillo and other places. Many of the FBOs have closed. The field now is mainly biz jets and some private aircraft. The one notable hanger-on is The Condor Squadron, a group of immaculately restored T-6s, SNJs and Harvards.

 

[eagleswings01]

Hi Larry,

I agree completely - it is a fantastic documentary. Did you watch the companion DVD with the interviews and making of the film? It's funny that the airport didn't initially let them film, but then completely changed perspective once they saw how well put together it was.

The public viewing area there looks really neat. I wish more airports would do that as it would really encourage interest in aviation. We take our kids to air shows, the small private airport, the Colorado Springs airport, the model airplane club....if it flies we go watch!

I would love to see more vintage aircraft around here like the Condor Squadron you mentioned. When we were in Nevada, there was a large number of WWII aircraft flying throughout the area. It's always a joy to hear those old engines overhead.

Take care,
Mike

 

[Engine104]

Hi Larry,

I agree completely - it is a fantastic documentary. Did you watch the companion DVD with the interviews and making of the film? It's funny that the airport didn't initially let them film, but then completely changed perspective once they saw how well put together it was.

The public viewing area there looks really neat. I wish more airports would do that as it would really encourage interest in aviation. We take our kids to air shows, the small private airport, the Colorado Springs airport, the model airplane club....if it flies we go watch!

I would love to see more vintage aircraft around here like the Condor Squadron you mentioned. When we were in Nevada, there was a large number of WWII aircraft flying throughout the area. It's always a joy to hear those old engines overhead.

Take care,
Mike

The viewing area is a really nice spot. It's clean and family friendly, as you can see on the DVD. I just wish there were more warbirds and military stuff around, like there used to be.

 

[nanZor]

I probably don't need to tell you guys this, but if you take scanning to the next level, by taking at least a "discovery" or introductory flight - even if it involves nothing more than flying the pattern a few times - you'll never look at your scanner the same way again!

Let's Go Flying!

You can find a flight school and see if they offer this.

Who knows, the next radio you tune might be a Bendix-King!

 

[Engine104]

I probably don't need to tell you guys this, but if you take scanning to the next level, by taking at least a "discovery" or introductory flight - even if it involves nothing more than flying the pattern a few times - you'll never look at your scanner the same way again!

Let's Go Flying!

You can find a flight school and see if they offer this.

Who knows, the next radio you tune might be a Bendix-King!

I'd probably like it too much and we don't have the cash right now

 

[eagleswings01]

My Dad took flying lessons for quite a while. I've always wanted to learn...but money seems to prevent that from happening!

 

[eagleswings01]

Hi Guys!

We're heading to the COS airshow tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to what I'll be able to pick up!

Thinking back to the ARTCC discussion on post #57, I'm now getting around to programming those in. My only question is, which ones should I put in?

I'm in Colorado Springs, so are there specific ones I should look at putting in the scanner?

Take care,
Mike

 

[eagleswings01]

I'm not sure if this is the best way, but I went in to the maps of each Colorado RCAG and looked for their radius to see if it covers my location. I saw that two - Eastonville and Pueblo - both overlapped Colorado Springs, so I programmed in their "High" or "Ultra-High" traffic frequencies.

There's nothing on right now, but it's pretty late so I'll give it a shot tomorrow!

Take care,
Mike

 

[safetyobc]

Okay..I ordered the PSR-310!

I purchased it from SonicElectronix and got VERY good service from a fellow named Ricky (Direct line 610-670-2535). He had answered my first call and didn't put me under any pressure to buy anything, plus he was very polite and patient with me.

The total was $159.99 out the door with free shipping, and I already have an email confirmation of my order. Ricky did say that their Oklahoma warehouse would be sending the radio, and because of that it might not ship out until Monday. It was nice of him to warn me ahead of time.

Thanks so much to everyone who helped me with all of the suggestions and advice! I'll let everyone know what I think once it arrives sometime next week.

Take care,
Mike

I'm curious to know how the 310 is working out for you. How is the sensitivity on the air and Mil-air receive?

Thanks for any information!

 

[eagleswings01]

Hi safetyobc,

The 310 is a fabulous scanner that is packed with features for a great price! Now to clarify, this is my first scanner and I primarily use it for aviation. I picked up a better antenna for it (along with a case and some rechargeable batteries) about a month or two ago and they all made it even better.

You can see some videos I made about the scanner at my YouTube page below, plus some aviation videos with ATC in the background.
eagleswingsrc's Channel - YouTube

Unfortunately, I might need to sell the whole setup soon. I'm still looking for work and also trying to finish my bachelor's degree. With a wife and three kids to support, that means money is tight. I'm still glad that I purchased it, and if it does sell then I'll just be patient for better times to buy it again.

Take care,
Mike

 

[KB4REA]

I'm curious to know how the 310 is working out for you. How is the sensitivity on the air and Mil-air receive?

Thanks for any information!

Matt,
You asked the same question on one of my YT videos so I'd thought I'd answer here (and Mike's already replied as I'm writing this). Hey Mike!

GRE's 310/410 scanners are excellent in receiving the airbands, the best that I've enjoyed compared to my previous radios. I used to use the Diamond HT antenna for the Pro-97, 330T and 396XT (when I had them) and it's a good buy for sure but I've since been using telecoping antennas for both the 310/410 and found them to be superior. I believe that has contributed to the improved reception in these bands. My only other current radio is the 106 and same antenna, same location, the 310 performed notably better, even picking up a local airport's ATIS while the 106 didn't at all.

One of my videos shows the 310 picking up 3 RCAG frequencies from some distance, both aircraft and controller. In regards to milair, I really only monitor it while at the navy base nearby or at an airshow so obviously reception is great but that would be true of most scanners with the stock duckie as I'm sure you know. So I can't say from experience that it's a great milair receiver but I feel it does just as well.

It seems to me you're looking to pick up a new analog scanner, either the 310 or the new BC125AT, am I right? I would love to give the bearcat a spin myself but it would definitely be hard to pick one over the other. That said I'd lean towards the 310 for the added features and minimal bump in price. You probably/may already have a cable for it and software. Does the new BC even have a backlit keypad?

Anyway, those are my thoughts...

 

[eagleswings01]

Hey Josh - thanks for checking in!

Take care,
Mike

 

[safetyobc]

Matt,
You asked the same question on one of my YT videos so I'd thought I'd answer here (and Mike's already replied as I'm writing this). Hey Mike!

GRE's 310/410 scanners are excellent in receiving the airbands, the best that I've enjoyed compared to my previous radios. I used to use the Diamond HT antenna for the Pro-97, 330T and 396XT (when I had them) and it's a good buy for sure but I've since been using telecoping antennas for both the 310/410 and found them to be superior. I believe that has contributed to the improved reception in these bands. My only other current radio is the 106 and same antenna, same location, the 310 performed notably better, even picking up a local airport's ATIS while the 106 didn't at all.

One of my videos shows the 310 picking up 3 RCAG frequencies from some distance, both aircraft and controller. In regards to milair, I really only monitor it while at the navy base nearby or at an airshow so obviously reception is great but that would be true of most scanners with the stock duckie as I'm sure you know. So I can't say from experience that it's a great milair receiver but I feel it does just as well.

It seems to me you're looking to pick up a new analog scanner, either the 310 or the new BC125AT, am I right? I would love to give the bearcat a spin myself but it would definitely be hard to pick one over the other. That said I'd lean towards the 310 for the added features and minimal bump in price. You probably/may already have a cable for it and software. Does the new BC even have a backlit keypad?

Anyway, those are my thoughts...

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I am looking at either the 310 or the 125. The 310 seems to have a lot more features (bang for the buck) but if the 125 has better airband receive then I may go with it, even without the extra features and band coverage.

 

[datainmotion]

Well Mike - I pulled the trigger on a 310 from Sonic today as well. Saved about $15 over Scanner Master (where I would have normally bought it).

I've been looking for a good airband handheld, so we'll see how this one does up here in the Denver Metro area...:wink:

Mike

 

[eagleswings01]

Good luck with that 310!!! I think you'll pick up quite a bit of traffic up there. I wonder how much you'll hear from Centennial Airport?

 

[datainmotion]

Good luck with that 310!!! I think you'll pick up quite a bit of traffic up there. I wonder how much you'll hear from Centennial Airport?

I'll have APA, BJC, BKF, FTG and FNL programmed in, so I'll let you know.
I think what finally sold me was that I could use my Win500 and my existing cable to program it. I already have too many cables and software programs to run the various scanners here...:wink:

 

[eagleswings01]

Speaking of Centennial, I'd really like to go up there and plane spot for a day. It's not a bad drive...just time and gas!

 

[datainmotion]

You could always go have lunch at The Perfect Landing