jgiercyk
Member
I was a scanner enthusiast back in the early 90s. I had a BC895XLT and used remote control software....I had it going on. Then, life happened and I wound up moving several times, and I got pulled away from the hobby. However, I never parted with my equipment. I've always been an aviation monitor, and a few weeks ago Air Force 2 was flying into an airport a few miles from my house. I dug out my Sony Air-8 and programmed in the local freqs. I followed AF2 from approach to tower to ground, and was even able to tell the neighbors when it was coming and where to look. For the first time in 30 years I followed a flight!!
So, I got bit by the monitoring bug again. The local airport has a few commercial flights, but it is the home of the national guard heavy lift helicopters, it serves as a training facility for new pilots, and the new F-16 is going to be built on-site by Lockheed Martin.....long story short, I want in on that! I set up the old BC895XLT, brought up Flightaware and started listening. There are 3 pretty busy airports within 10 miles, and the traffic is only going to increase.
So, here's the deal. I recognize the shortfall of 20 year old technology. I decided to look into getting a new scanner, and the Uniden SDS200 was the cream of the crop....I've worked all these years, I deserve it, right?? (back me up on this). I've read the reviews, I've read the manual, I've watched the YouTube videos, and I pulled the trigger. There's a quantum leap between the BC895XLT and the SDS200, and I'm looking for some advice to help bridge the gap for me. I know radio...I have an amateur license, N2SUB...but I have not been in the monitoring game for 20 years. I see the SDS200 pairs well with ProScan software, and I'll probably go in that direction. I want to get back in the game, monitoring police/fire/EMS/public safety....AND aviation. With the new gear, what are the gotchas? Where is the sharpest learning curve? I kind of like the idea of starting over, but I also have a lot of radio knowledge that could wind up being counter-productive/obsolete. Help an old guy get back in the game...any words of wisdom?? Thank you all!
So, I got bit by the monitoring bug again. The local airport has a few commercial flights, but it is the home of the national guard heavy lift helicopters, it serves as a training facility for new pilots, and the new F-16 is going to be built on-site by Lockheed Martin.....long story short, I want in on that! I set up the old BC895XLT, brought up Flightaware and started listening. There are 3 pretty busy airports within 10 miles, and the traffic is only going to increase.
So, here's the deal. I recognize the shortfall of 20 year old technology. I decided to look into getting a new scanner, and the Uniden SDS200 was the cream of the crop....I've worked all these years, I deserve it, right?? (back me up on this). I've read the reviews, I've read the manual, I've watched the YouTube videos, and I pulled the trigger. There's a quantum leap between the BC895XLT and the SDS200, and I'm looking for some advice to help bridge the gap for me. I know radio...I have an amateur license, N2SUB...but I have not been in the monitoring game for 20 years. I see the SDS200 pairs well with ProScan software, and I'll probably go in that direction. I want to get back in the game, monitoring police/fire/EMS/public safety....AND aviation. With the new gear, what are the gotchas? Where is the sharpest learning curve? I kind of like the idea of starting over, but I also have a lot of radio knowledge that could wind up being counter-productive/obsolete. Help an old guy get back in the game...any words of wisdom?? Thank you all!