Airband Scanner

Dangermouse

Dangermouse

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Having seen lots of people with scanners at Lakenheath and Mildenhall, I have decided to get one, but want one that will pick up whats going on in the air, I really don't want to spend a lot as it wont be getting much use, does anyone know if the Baofeng GT-3 would be suitable or do I need something completely different.
 
Get a Uniden 125XLT. Easy to use, easy to programme. It does need the standard antenna replacing for better reception (about £10), but that's normal with scanners.

The Baofang is not a scanner. It's not even legal to use in the UK - not that this stops anyone...
 
Thanks Alastair, how is it not a scanner, I know nothing about these scanner things, would it not pick the aircraft up?
 
It's a two way radio. What makes you think it's a scanner?
 
I was told by someone who obviously doesn't know very much
So are there any cheaper no frills scanners that can pick military aircraft up
 
Googled the gt3 and the info says it is a multi band two way radio I.e. not a scanner!

The Uniden 3500XLT was the one I craved a while back but could not justify the price tag.
 
I think I may have to spend a little more then Box Brownie
 
Milair tends to be missing from the cheaper scanners. They're also missing from the Bumfang GT-3 - which is a good thing, transmit on those by mistake and the postcard you send from Guantanamo in five years time will be the first your mother hears of your fate :eek:
 
So I should be looking for something like this, GRE PSR-295
 
The blurb for the GT3 does say it has a scan function though whether that's the same a a scanner I don't know. What makes it illegal I assume is that it's an unlicensed two way radio.
 
Steep said:
The blurb for the GT3 does say it has a scan function though whether that's the same a a scanner I don't know. What makes it illegal I assume is that it's an unlicensed two way radio.
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The frequencies it can transmit on fall outside the unlicensed bands one can transmit on legally
 
I think I will forget the Baofeng, after all I don't really need to know what Guantanamo looks like from the inside
 
Is it really illegal in the UK as Maplin actually stock them.
 
Dangermouse1964 said:
Is it really illegal in the UK as Maplin actually stock them.
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It's legal to sell them and legal to own them.. it's only illegal when you press transmit.

Mind you, I keep hearing the default bumfang frequencies in use (many of the defaults they arrive programmed with aren't legal at any power level) all over the place. I guess OFCOM aren't getting too many compliants.

Technically using a scanner is also illegal unless it's a frequency you're authorised to listen to (eg marine), but no one seems to mind airband listeners. If the RAF/USAAF don't want you to listen on they can quickly switch to secure tactical comms.

I do recommend the 125xlt from experience, it's very easy to programme using free software written by an enthusiast (Google for "Scan125"). I even managed to put together a spreadsheet to list all the frequencies that interest me and a macro to output the file that Scan125 uses to load and save to the scanner. Makes things very simple. There was a 125xlt sold on the forum not so long ago, a wanted ad might produce a decent airband scanner.
 
Dangermouse1964 said:
Is it really illegal in the UK as Maplin actually stock them.
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Alastair said:
It's legal to sell them and legal to own them.. it's only illegal when you press transmit.

Mind you, I keep hearing the default bumfang frequencies in use (many of the defaults they arrive programmed with aren't legal at any power level) all over the place. I guess OFCOM aren't getting too many compliants.

Technically using a scanner is also illegal unless it's a frequency you're authorised to listen to (eg marine), but no one seems to mind airband listeners. If the RAF/USAAF don't want you to listen on they can quickly switch to secure tactical comms.

I do recommend the 125xlt from experience, it's very easy to programme using free software written by an enthusiast (Google for "Scan125"). I even managed to put together a spreadsheet to list all the frequencies that interest me and a macro to output the file that Scan125 uses to load and save to the scanner. Makes things very simple. There was a 125xlt sold on the forum not so long ago, a wanted ad might produce a decent airband scanner.
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Bumfang are very popular with hang and paraglider pilots atleast because of that extra transmission width. The UK authorities have said they will turn a blind eye to transmissions in the 143.750-143.950Mhz even though using that frequency is illegal. It also much less crowded then the 144 Mhz band. Just because a radio can listen on a frequency doesn't mean it can transit of it to so your probably safe listening to RTC traffic using one not able to transmit. If you want to be really picky its also (probably) legally dubious to listen to RTC transmissions but nobody cares
 
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I've got an Alinco DJ-X2000, had it a few years and it covers everything I need, plus a lot of stuff I shouldn't be listening too. I started off with a cheap scanner that was complete rubbish, start off with a decent scanner and you'll use it more often. As for frequencies to listen too, plenty of info online though I have 'The UK Scanning Directory - 9th Edition'. It's no longer published and some of the frequencies given are no longer in use, nonetheless it's still a valuable book to have.
 
Question for anyone who might know. Would a Uniden scanner from the USA be the same as a UK one? I ask because There's a model UBC75XLT here and a BC75XLT there that look to have the same specs. Difference is the UK one is £90 while the USA one is £64 delivered with tax paid.
 
Steep said:
Question for anyone who might know. Would a Uniden scanner from the USA be the same as a UK one? I ask because There's a model UBC75XLT here and a BC75XLT there that look to have the same specs.
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I believe there are differences in the band plans and the preprogrammed searches - Uniden have different variation of models for the US, UK/Eur and Australian markets. The place to ask is ukradioscanning.com - I'm really only familiar with the 125xlt.
 
Thanks Alastair I know the 125 has more features/bands but it's an impulse purchase if I make it and 110 squids is a lot of fish for an impulse. I'll have to have a hunt around and see if the military bands which the 75 doesn't have are going to be a big loss.
 
The alpha-tagging was the feature that swung it for me, when I get a hit I know what I'm listening to without having to memorise the frequencies - that and the easier programming (2-step programming via Excel and Scan125 - none of the other Unidens are supported by this).

Most of my listening is milair or marine, which matches my general interests. The PMR frequencies can be occasionally interesting (there's a local motorcycle instructor that should be doing stand-up comedy) but are mostly either boring (shop stock control) or sweary school kids.
 
i have an old yaesu vr 120 that's been stuck in a cupboard over the last few years i'm not sure how useful that is nowadays
i think it covers 0 - 1300mhz with no gaps but iv'e not really used it for years

any good ?
 
cosmicma said:
i have an old yaesu vr 120 that's been stuck in a cupboard over the last few years i'm not sure how useful that is nowadays
i think it covers 0 - 1300mhz with no gaps but iv'e not really used it for years

any good ?
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Certainly is Mark
 
I couldn't resist and bought a 125xlt, picked it up from the postie on Sunday and spent a few hours figuring out how it worked. Initially very disappointed with the results I was getting I had a scout about the net and read that the supplied antenna is pretty poor. So I ordered a Nagoya 771 off a recommended eBay seller and it arrived this morning, it's like night and day! the original aerial could pick up the local airport tower, mushy and indistinct but not much else unless I was driving around. The Nagoya even in the house picks up not just the tower but aircraft, the harbour, coastguard and local private stuff. Outside I get the RAF base 25 miles away, oil rigs and more private stuff. High band VHF guy talking to a work colleague "Damned if I can see how this f******* thing is meant to fit in there!" :)
 
Try putting a bow tie antenna in the loft (cost you less than a tenner to make), you'll get near enough the same gain again if my experience is anything to go by! From not very much above sea level I can get pilots over Huddersfield on a good day.

Are you OK with the programming, or would you be interested in the spreadsheet option? ;)
 
Cheers m8 have downloaded and am using Scan125, I'm interested in anything that lets me change frequencies in batches. :D
 
Just googled bow tie antenna, I used to sell and fit those for TV use back in my aerial rigger days! Actually have one in my loft for TV :)
 
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I still need to get the spreadsheet public friendly, but I do need testers..

The bow tie is very easy to make, a choc block connector and a couple of lengths of wire.
 
I've got all the bits to make one, project for my day off tomorrow I think!
 
Does the 125XLT cover the mil air bands for airshow listening?
 
Yes m8, that's one of the main differences between it and the next model down.
 
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