Hello! I'm an amateur planespotter from Hillsborough FL looking for a good aviation scanner, specifically for monitoring USCG choppers out of Saint Pete-Clearwater Int'l. I saw a previous thread listing the frequencies of Coast Guard aircraft out of KPIE, and based on the little research I've done I'm thinking of the Uniden BC125AT with UHF antenna from ScannerMaster. If this isn't a good option, could someone recommend me one that isn't too expensive(200 and under preferably) and not too hard to set up? I would be most grateful!
What to Buy
- Thread starter Jayhawk60
- Start date
MiCon
Mike
Many unanswered questions here, so I'll just try to wing it with generalizations.
Since you want to use it to support your plane spotting hobby I'll assume you're looking primarily for a handheld scanner.
I'll also assume that you're not particularly interested in listening to anything else besides aircraft related frequencies.
With those assumptions in mind, the ACT125 seems to fit your needs. Small, portable, and it covers the commercial and military aviation frequencies. It also has frequency search and close call features. Ten banks of 50 channels per bank should allow you to conveniently organize what you want to listen to.
As for the antenna, find one that is made for (or close to) the two air band frequency ranges. The commercial range is just below VHF high band, and the military range is just below the UHF band. Choosing one over the other will slightly degrade reception on one of the bands. I.E., if you choose a UHF antenna, reception won't be as good on the commercial aviation band.
I did a quick search on-line. You can get the ATC125 for $110 through Walmart and ScannerMaster.
Good luck with both hobbies.
Since you want to use it to support your plane spotting hobby I'll assume you're looking primarily for a handheld scanner.
I'll also assume that you're not particularly interested in listening to anything else besides aircraft related frequencies.
With those assumptions in mind, the ACT125 seems to fit your needs. Small, portable, and it covers the commercial and military aviation frequencies. It also has frequency search and close call features. Ten banks of 50 channels per bank should allow you to conveniently organize what you want to listen to.
As for the antenna, find one that is made for (or close to) the two air band frequency ranges. The commercial range is just below VHF high band, and the military range is just below the UHF band. Choosing one over the other will slightly degrade reception on one of the bands. I.E., if you choose a UHF antenna, reception won't be as good on the commercial aviation band.
I did a quick search on-line. You can get the ATC125 for $110 through Walmart and ScannerMaster.
Good luck with both hobbies.
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TopGunPhoto
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I have both the 125 and 160 Uniden scanners but both have the Diamond RH77CA antenna. I live on the coast of NH and can pick up the tankers and fighters refueling over the mountains of NH with it. Most of my other photog buddies also use the same combo.
Wanna spend some $ and look cool? Well I actually like Uniden products and took a leap and here is what I have.
I have used the Discone antenna for the scanners but use a standard whip for out and about. I have a car window connector and antenna -- any wide band will do since I will be in the frequency range of the scanner. I have used the Discone to transmit on 2 meters as well -- one of the reasons I got the antenna -- for the flexibility.
I like the Uniden scanners because I can program them both the same and the same keystrokes to use them.
I DID NOT spend the $ for them to program it. I did it myself with ARC536PRO. Difficult at first but got easy to use after a couple of tries.
I am sure there are better and cheaper items out there. But I cannot complain. I can hear things. My Discone antenna is 20' above my roof and I can hear A/C at cruising altitude 200 miles away. (East: Baltimore to Off shore of Ocean City; North: up slightly past Philadelphia; West: Just into West Virginia; and South: A few miles before Norfolk)
ARC536PRO
www.butel.nl
Uniden SDS 200
Uniden SDS 100
Sirio Discone Antenna
Car Window Antenna connector
Window Cable Passthrough
I have used the Discone antenna for the scanners but use a standard whip for out and about. I have a car window connector and antenna -- any wide band will do since I will be in the frequency range of the scanner. I have used the Discone to transmit on 2 meters as well -- one of the reasons I got the antenna -- for the flexibility.
I like the Uniden scanners because I can program them both the same and the same keystrokes to use them.
I DID NOT spend the $ for them to program it. I did it myself with ARC536PRO. Difficult at first but got easy to use after a couple of tries.
I am sure there are better and cheaper items out there. But I cannot complain. I can hear things. My Discone antenna is 20' above my roof and I can hear A/C at cruising altitude 200 miles away. (East: Baltimore to Off shore of Ocean City; North: up slightly past Philadelphia; West: Just into West Virginia; and South: A few miles before Norfolk)
ARC536PRO
ARC536PRO software download
ARC536PRO Windows software for Uniden SDS100/SDS150/SDS200/BCD436HP/BCD536HP/USDS100/USDS200/UBCD436PT/UBCD536PT and EU models: SDS100E/SDS200E/UBC3600XLT New 2.8 release now available with SDS150 support! Strictly no refunds on software downloads, try the free demo before making your purchase.
www.butel.nl
Uniden SDS 200
Uniden SDS 100
Sirio Discone Antenna
Amazon.com: Sirio Antenna SD 2000 U 100 Mhz-2 Ghz Discone Wide Band Antenna : Electronics
Buy Sirio Antenna SD 2000 U 100 Mhz-2 Ghz Discone Wide Band Antenna: Radio Antennas - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
Car Window Antenna connector
Amazon.com: TW-MB-WCMS Window Clip Mounts for Handheld Antenna Two Way Radio Accessories Car Mounts Bracket The end of Cable is SMA Male Connector The Center of TW-MB-WCM is SMA Female Connector : Electronics
Amazon.com: TW-MB-WCMS Window Clip Mounts for Handheld Antenna Two Way Radio Accessories Car Mounts Bracket The end of Cable is SMA Male Connector The Center of TW-MB-WCM is SMA Female Connector : Electronics
www.amazon.com
Window Cable Passthrough
For a portable airband scanner, the BC125AT is the best bang for your buck, hands down. I use mine daily for civil and military air plus wildland fire channels.
If you're interested in a base scanner for airband, check out the BC365CRS. Fewer channels, but better performance, IMO, and a great price.
Smiley antennas are great; I'd also recommend having a plain telescopic whip along with one of the Smileys, just in case there's some related V-LOW frequencies in use nearby.
Have fun!
If you're interested in a base scanner for airband, check out the BC365CRS. Fewer channels, but better performance, IMO, and a great price.
Smiley antennas are great; I'd also recommend having a plain telescopic whip along with one of the Smileys, just in case there's some related V-LOW frequencies in use nearby.
Have fun!
For USCG Helos you might want a scanner that does P25. If they use on LMR P25 channels to talk with local Sector.
It P25 conventional, so even older digital scanner will work. Some of time they do run encryption on these frequencies and other times in clear.
It P25 conventional, so even older digital scanner will work. Some of time they do run encryption on these frequencies and other times in clear.
These antennas are the very best, IMO! They are BNC and will fit right on a 125/325 or any scanner with a BNC antenna connector. The Ritron Jobcom AFB-1545.
www.buytwowayradios.com
IMHO, it is the best of the best, YMMV...
AFB-1545 Ritron Jobcom Replacement Flex Antenna
Ritron AFB-1545 is a replacement flex antenna for the Ritron Jobcom Series Base Station/Wireless Intercom.
+1 on the Smiley antennas. I have the 5/8-wave slim duck for air band (as well as others for different bands); works like a champ, and performs well on the UHF air band channels too. I use it on a BC125AT and I’m quite happy with the combination.
Smiley also has one with a center frequency of 305 MHz which should work well for the UHF band.
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The 125 does not cover 380 to 400 Mhz military band. If this is not needed, then the 125 is a good choice.
380-400 is now used primarily by Federal (digital) trunking systems, and the vast majority of UHF milair use is below 380 MHz anyway. Not a concern for the BC125.
