I have about $100 to spend on a handheld scanner and am considering the Uniden BC75XLT 300-Channel Handheld Scanner. This would be my fo st handheld so I know nothing of this subject.
Any reason I should consider an alternate option? It’s simply for when I’m out spotting, nothing fancy. I doubt I’d ever try and stream a feed or anything.
How far out can a typical handheld scanner like this pick up traffic?
Thanks for the help in advance!
James
Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
Re: Scanner advice wanted...
I'm not familiar with that model, but I have a Uniden BCD396, a higher-end model. Uniden has been making scanners a long time - I got one of their older models over 20 years ago and it worked very well. I broke the antenna, and while looking for a replacement, saw this newer model and decided to upgrade, or I might still be using the old one.
Scanner range will depend on the source of the signal - you will pick up an ATC tower at a shorter range due to line-of-sight and other issues. When I'm out at CLT, I can pick up the tower from a couple of miles away, but usually hear aircraft on approach from 10+ miles away. Aircraft at altitude should be picked up even further away.
Check to see if Uniden has software that will allow you to program the scanner - my 396 has a desktop program that lets me enter frequencies, set up frequency lists (so I can have all the frequencies for a specific airport/region in one group), and then upload them to the scanner via a USB cable. That makes programming the scanner much easier and quicker.
I don't think you can go wrong with a Uniden scanner.
Scanner range will depend on the source of the signal - you will pick up an ATC tower at a shorter range due to line-of-sight and other issues. When I'm out at CLT, I can pick up the tower from a couple of miles away, but usually hear aircraft on approach from 10+ miles away. Aircraft at altitude should be picked up even further away.
Check to see if Uniden has software that will allow you to program the scanner - my 396 has a desktop program that lets me enter frequencies, set up frequency lists (so I can have all the frequencies for a specific airport/region in one group), and then upload them to the scanner via a USB cable. That makes programming the scanner much easier and quicker.
I don't think you can go wrong with a Uniden scanner.
-
- SheikhDjibouti
- Posts: 2348
- Joined:
Re: Scanner advice wanted...
m0ssy wrote:I have about $100 to spend on a handheld scanner....
How far out can a typical handheld scanner like this pick up traffic?
Thanks for the help in advance!
James
I'm not sure that Aviation Photography is the best place to ask your question, but you got a good result anyway, so no probs.
Suggest you check this recent thread under Aviation Hobby section.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1376169
And especially note the web link given for live ATC coverage.
Re: Scanner advice wanted...
Moose135 wrote:I'm not familiar with that model, but I have a Uniden BCD396, a higher-end model. Uniden has been making scanners a long time - I got one of their older models over 20 years ago and it worked very well. I broke the antenna, and while looking for a replacement, saw this newer model and decided to upgrade, or I might still be using the old one.
Scanner range will depend on the source of the signal - you will pick up an ATC tower at a shorter range due to line-of-sight and other issues. When I'm out at CLT, I can pick up the tower from a couple of miles away, but usually hear aircraft on approach from 10+ miles away. Aircraft at altitude should be picked up even further away.
Check to see if Uniden has software that will allow you to program the scanner - my 396 has a desktop program that lets me enter frequencies, set up frequency lists (so I can have all the frequencies for a specific airport/region in one group), and then upload them to the scanner via a USB cable. That makes programming the scanner much easier and quicker.
I don't think you can go wrong with a Uniden scanner.
Thanks for the feedback! That's exactly what I was after. I wanted to ensure that I'd be able to hear landing clearance for approaching aircraft when switching to tower frequency.
James
Re: Scanner advice wanted...
SheikhDjibouti wrote:m0ssy wrote:I have about $100 to spend on a handheld scanner....
How far out can a typical handheld scanner like this pick up traffic?
Thanks for the help in advance!
James
I'm not sure that Aviation Photography is the best place to ask your question, but you got a good result anyway, so no probs.
Suggest you check this recent thread under Aviation Hobby section.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1376169
And especially note the web link given for live ATC coverage.
Thanks for the feedback. I honestly wasn't sure if I was in the right forum myself, but thanks for the info.
James
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 20 guests