Scanners

[Ian Irwin]

Hey guys,

just wondering if any of you know anywhere in the city i can pick up a scanner from for less than 200 dollars?

cheers,

Ian Irwin
:):)

[Ian Irwin]

Why is that an issue though? the scan doesnt take that long does it?
And thanks for the DSE heads up but i was looking for somewhere maybe a little cheaper.

[Steve V]

G'Day, Try Andrews Communications. They have a good range, most of which are well above the budget. Of those less than $200 I'll make the following comments

Alinco DJ-X3E - Having owned an older model Alinco many years ago, I'd be inclined to avoid this one even though it does have a pretty good "on paper" spec.

Uniden UBC73XLT - Good general purpose scanner. Currently use the 200 channel 'brother' of this radio as my backup handheld. Chris, it sounds as if you may have a faulty unit,as you should be able to directly enter a frequency ??

UNIDEN UBC-330CRS - This is probably not what you are after being a base unit, but it is an excellent unit for the price.

The Maycom unit is quite good too, although it is much more limited in frequency range, is slightly more difficult to program, and from my experience at least, is less sensitive than the uniden units. They do work well at the airport though. They also have a different antenna connector so if you want to use other antennas / external antennas you will need an adaptor.

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-07.htm

Steve

[phil.l]

Steve how much is the Uniden UBC-300CRS?

[Steve V]

$149

[phil.l]

Thanks Steve.

[Maikha Ly]

I posted about this in the Tech forum not so long ago (See here (http://www.yssyforum.net/board/showpost.php?p=43943&postcount=4)), but in a nutshell

I got the Uniden UBC73XLT from Ryda for $150 (See here (http://www.ryda.com.au/Uniden-UBC73XLT-100CH-Handheld-Scanner-p/ubc73xlt.htm)) some weeks ago, and for a novice who knows nothing about radio scanning and aviation radio, I got the hang of using it less than two hours after I got it (After reading the instructions of course) and was tapping into YSSY's Tower while watching the traffic from Foreshore Road.

Again, by all means read up on the other units suggested here, but like you, I had no clue on how these things worked, until I got this scanner and it has all worked out for me since then! :)

[Ian Irwin]

I posted about this in the Tech forum not so long ago (See here (http://www.yssyforum.net/board/showpost.php?p=43943&postcount=4)), but in a nutshell

I got the Uniden UBC73XLT from Ryda for $150 (See here (http://www.ryda.com.au/Uniden-UBC73XLT-100CH-Handheld-Scanner-p/ubc73xlt.htm)) some weeks ago, and for a novice who knows nothing about radio scanning and aviation radio, I got the hang of using it less than two hours after I got it (After reading the instructions of course) and was tapping into YSSY's Tower while watching the traffic from Foreshore Road.

Again, by all means read up on the other units suggested here, but like you, I had no clue on how these things worked, until I got this scanner and it has all worked out for me since then! :)


THANKS HEAPS MATE!! best deal i've found so far. going into the city this morning to pick her up :D:D:D:D

[Matt R]

I have an ancient Uniden (UBC2500XLT). Impossible to get batteries for it now - do the new Unidens still use proprietary battery packs?

I did manage to hack one of my batteries to make it hold 4 AAAs instead :)

[Maikha Ly]

THANKS HEAPS MATE!! best deal i've found so far. going into the city this morning to pick her up :D:D:D:D
No worries dude!

I should have also said, if you're heading down to the airport in eagerness, like I did, it'd also help to have a list of the frequencies to punch into the scanner. A list is avaliable on Grahame H's website at: http://www.16right.com/
Under YSSY Spotting > FREQ

[Mark W]

The most excellent scanner on earth is not made anymore, but if you can get this Scanner on the used market, you will never part with it. I bought mine 23 years ago and if the house was on fire, I would save the R-535, my wife and the dog, in that order :D

It is called the Signal R-535, and it only receives air VHF and UHF.

As it is specifcally "tuned" for air, it has an incredible range and sensitivity setting. I live 60kms from Richmond yet can listen to Richmond Ground and Tower using nothing more than its telescopic antenna.

The other scanners I have (or have had) cannot do that!

For more info, see this link -

http://www.radiopics.com/Signal/Signal_R-535%20(Later%20Model).htm

[Alan Dent]

Matt R.

I was after a new battery for my Uniden scanner and got one from the US but if you do a search of the internet you can find suppliers in UK and the US.

Hope this helps, Alan.

[Paul McFarlane]

39 June 2010 Delta 17 JFK - SYD


Gee Alan,

you sure plan to cram some time in June!:p

[Alan Dent]

We are flying to New York and return with freebies after years of accumulating World Perks miles with KLM/ Northwest/Malaysian and Continental.
In the US and Canada we are travelling with Amtrak and Via Rail, it's called Skiing:)

[Nigel C]

I think it was the 39th June bit he was referring to.

[Alan Dent]

I like long holidays.

Finger slipped.:)

[matthew dobson]

G'Day, Try Andrews Communications. They have a good range, most of which are well above the budget. Of those less than $200 I'll make the following comments

Alinco DJ-X3E - Having owned an older model Alinco many years ago, I'd be inclined to avoid this one even though it does have a pretty good "on paper" spec.

Uniden UBC73XLT - Good general purpose scanner. Currently use the 200 channel 'brother' of this radio as my backup handheld. Chris, it sounds as if you may have a faulty unit,as you should be able to directly enter a frequency ??

UNIDEN UBC-330CRS - This is probably not what you are after being a base unit, but it is an excellent unit for the price.

The Maycom unit is quite good too, although it is much more limited in frequency range, is slightly more difficult to program, and from my experience at least, is less sensitive than the uniden units. They do work well at the airport though. They also have a different antenna connector so if you want to use other antennas / external antennas you will need an adaptor.

http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-07.htm

Steve



Just FYI - the Uniden UBC73XLT is currently on sale at DSE. This isn't an ad, more of a community service announcement!

[Clive G]

I take my trusty Maycom with me tuned to Sydney Approach when I'm out walking the dog. How sad is that?

[Nigel C]

~bites tongue~
;)

[Tim B]

I take my trusty Maycom with me tuned to Sydney Approach when I'm out walking the dog. How sad is that?

There is nothing sad about walking the dog. :)

[Michael Lee]

Just FYI - the Uniden UBC73XLT is currently on sale at DSE. This isn't an ad, more of a community service announcement!

I cant seem to find that online, does DSE even sell it anymore?
But i found the 72XLT, wats the difference?

[Danny G]

I saw it in DSE George St .

[matthew dobson]

I cant seem to find that online, does DSE even sell it anymore?
But i found the 72XLT, wats the difference?


You're right .... they are on the website as the 72 but they are selling the 73.

[Maikha Ly]

There is nothing sad about walking the dog. :)Those who've met me, will testify I'm pretty much blatant in referring to the activity of parking the car with the scanner watching aircraft as 'sad plane bastard s**t'.

Could be worse, we could be train spotting :p

[Matt R]

Could be worse, we could be train spotting :p

I've seen you do both.. they seem about the same to me :)

[Maikha Ly]

G'day folks

Sorry to dig this thread up after a while, though I have a query which I feel is relevant.


I use a UBC73XLT, and it has proven me well thus far, however at times, even at Sydney Airport, the coverage can be a little scratchy or just not holding the signal well enough.

Would there be any benefit at all if I went out and got one of these Scanducky 40cm replacement antennas? (See here (http://dicksmith.com.au/product/D4433/scanducky-handheld-scanner-antenna)). Would the extra length of the antenna do wonders for an improvement in coverage?

Additionally, I will be moving back to the Riverina next year, and in the past, trying to pick up Melbourne centre hasn't overly been successful, so hoping a replacement antenna might do the trick.


Many thanks for any advice provided!

[Nigel C]

There could be a number of reasons for poor reception, including terrain or building shielding. It's not uncommon for me if I'm at the southern end of the field to not hear tugs or bug-smashers at the northern end. The elevation of the jet's antennae normally gives good reception right across the field.

But you could always hard mount a high gain antenna to your car and run a small length of cable to the scanner.

[Raymond Rowe]

I lost my Icom IC20 last year a $1000 dollar scanner accidently left it on the back of the car.So i have just bought my new Yaesu VR 500.Works well and has dual channels

[Mario Facchini]

Maikha, it is as Nigel said.

it is all about the signal field and any obsticals that are in the way.

A general rule of thumb, if you can see the Location where signal is being transmitted from, you should be fine.

Distance can be over come with a hi gain antenna, but again, obstrctions and obstacles can also cause loss of reception.

[Danny G]

Simple scanners for airband like the Uniden 73 work well for me at the airport.A airband specific antenna is worthwhile , the scanducky is a general coverage antenna but works ok around the airport & out to around 10k for ground/tower frequencies.The main reception issues i have found are breakthrough across frequencies as some of the transmitters are around the airport & powerful.The airband is AM modulation so is more susceptable to interference .Some transmitters are off site, i suspect for the director/radar/ approach frequencies so the ground level reception varies . The planes are clearly heard , for me up to 200k on AOR-Mini scanner with original antenna.Overall i have been very happy with the basic scanner.Mobile One at Camden have airband antennas for scanners in both fittings.The attenuation feature on the Aor works well to reduce overload at the airport .That scanner is a reasonable price online ,as is Icom R6 if you want more features /memory/sensitivity than the basic Uniden.The R20 is the best but pricey .That one has a recorder which is handy to playback calls later in a quieter place.