Hi, I'm in the CAP and looking for a portable scanner to primarily DF 121.5 using body blocking and as a backup for the primary equipment that we use. I'm looking at a bearcat bc125at, but will the smaller scanners work? The 75 or 50 ones? I'm not concerned with naming so many channels. I would also use it to monitor general aviation bands and maybe ES and MIL ones.
Scanner for 121.5
- Thread starter Bricktator
- Start date
Remember that the BC125AT, SR30C, BC75XLT, BCD325P2 and BC160DN are all the same size and case style. Your choice should be made as to the functions as they are all the same size and design.
The 125 is a great radio for aviation and allows for things like channel names and (on FM analog channels) PL or DPL codes while the SR30C and BC75XLT do not.
The 160 adds DMR and NXDN digital modes and the 325 adds P25 and trunking should these be needed for other monitoring. As some CAP activity is using P25 the BCD325P2 might be a better option for you should you be able to afford it.
The 125 is a great radio for aviation and allows for things like channel names and (on FM analog channels) PL or DPL codes while the SR30C and BC75XLT do not.
The 160 adds DMR and NXDN digital modes and the 325 adds P25 and trunking should these be needed for other monitoring. As some CAP activity is using P25 the BCD325P2 might be a better option for you should you be able to afford it.
Thank you, I'm brand new to scanners. I tried seeing what the differences were between models. Basically I want to fill the gap between what our radios can do, but primarily pick up 121.5. Cost is a factor. Lowes Home Improvement, of all places, has the 125 on sale for $130, I may go with that.
The 125 is a good scanner for airband reception; I keep mine about 80% filled with airband stuff.
You may want to consider a different antenna at some point. A quick search of the forums will bring up a lot of recommendations.
You may want to consider a different antenna at some point. A quick search of the forums will bring up a lot of recommendations.
Best kind of antennas for handhelds are telescopic. The ones that come with many scanners aren't all that good, particularly on VHF, due to their short length. Fixed-length antennas tend to operate best on specific bands, often in resonance (ie: tri-band).
I personally use a Comet W100RX, which is not only telescopic, but has two joints, to fold down neatly to the back, and easy to stow away. Plenty of others are recommended by other scanner enthusiasts.
Also, with today's Airband communications, scanners are the best, since not all ATC communications are single-channel, particularly in commercial aviation. (General aviation, OTOH, can be more fun, with the occasional chatter between pilots!)
I personally use a Comet W100RX, which is not only telescopic, but has two joints, to fold down neatly to the back, and easy to stow away. Plenty of others are recommended by other scanner enthusiasts.
Also, with today's Airband communications, scanners are the best, since not all ATC communications are single-channel, particularly in commercial aviation. (General aviation, OTOH, can be more fun, with the occasional chatter between pilots!)
Would an aviation transceiver be a good choice?
www.sportys.com
Yaesu FTA-550AA NAV/COM Aviation Radio
The YAESU FTA-550 is packed with features, yet very affordable. With an oversize full dot matrix LCD display, the FTA-550 Airband Transceiver provides full communication on the Aircraft communications Band and additionally provides VOR and localizer navigation features on the "NAV" band.
www.sportys.com
Thanks for the recommendation, but any transmitting that I will need will be on one of our radios, thanks though.Would an aviation transceiver be a good choice?
Yaesu FTA-550AA NAV/COM Aviation Radio
The YAESU FTA-550 is packed with features, yet very affordable. With an oversize full dot matrix LCD display, the FTA-550 Airband Transceiver provides full communication on the Aircraft communications Band and additionally provides VOR and localizer navigation features on the "NAV" band.
Ubbe
Member
When doing that then hold the scanner against your chest or stomach and point the antenna from you and turn you body to the direction of the DF object to get the weakest signal. Then turn 180 to check if the signal got stronger, then the object are in that stronger direction. An antenna will have the weakest signal when it points directly to the source, or directly 180 from it, and your body blocking will tell you which direction that are the right one.
/Ubbe
