Air Band Radio on a Budget
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm looking at purchasing my first air band radio. A bit baffled by what's out there really and some folk saying they get this frequency but not that one etc etc. I would like to be able to sit at airports and also military airfields like Waddington, Coningsby etc and listen to the comms between both tower and pilots. Any advice greatly appreciated. My budget is around 50-60 quid. Thanks.
I'm looking at purchasing my first air band radio. A bit baffled by what's out there really and some folk saying they get this frequency but not that one etc etc. I would like to be able to sit at airports and also military airfields like Waddington, Coningsby etc and listen to the comms between both tower and pilots. Any advice greatly appreciated. My budget is around 50-60 quid. Thanks.
I got this which seems to do the job http://www.maplin.co.uk/tsc-100r-200-channel-radio...
As far as I can see there's no UK ATC on the internet, happy to be corrected.
As far as I can see there's no UK ATC on the internet, happy to be corrected.
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Im pretty sure its technically 'illegal' to listen in on UK ATC broadcasts, hence the lack of online feeds etc.
It is not illeagal to listen in on Airband transmissions, otherwise we would not be able to purchase the radio scanners, But making a recording and using it for commercial benefit is. Also, airband radios can only listen to one side of the conversation, either 'tower' or cockpitNOT true.
An airband radio can listen into both sides of the conversation.
HOWEVER, what sometimes happens is that the airband radio can only pick up the aircraft because the ground based transmitter is too far away.
But, if you live within a couple of miles of an airfield or control centre, you will hear both parties in the communications.
An airband radio can listen into both sides of the conversation.
HOWEVER, what sometimes happens is that the airband radio can only pick up the aircraft because the ground based transmitter is too far away.
But, if you live within a couple of miles of an airfield or control centre, you will hear both parties in the communications.
CharlieCrocodile said:
I got this which seems to do the job http://www.maplin.co.uk/tsc-100r-200-channel-radio...
As far as I can see there's no UK ATC on the internet, happy to be corrected.
that should be fine and is future proffed with the 8.33As far as I can see there's no UK ATC on the internet, happy to be corrected.
Mutley said:
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Im pretty sure its technically 'illegal' to listen in on UK ATC broadcasts, hence the lack of online feeds etc.
It is not illeagal to listen in on Airband transmissions, otherwise we would not be able to purchase the radio scannersIt IS illegal to listen to airband on a scanner in the UK. In fact, it is illegal to listen to anything on a scanner unless you are an 'authorised recipient' of the message.
You can freely listen to stuff like BBC Radio 1 etc and CB channels as they are specifically for public listening, but barely anything else.
Don't forget there are loads of things you can legally buy, but not legally use.
You can go out and buy any amateur radio gear you want legally and own it, but the moment you plug it in and press the talk button you are committing an offence, for example.
Also... I had a Uniden 3500XLT and it was a fantastic piece of kit. Easily programmable by a USB lead, scan by separate bands, local call/transmission capture.
Really serious piece of kit in a handheld unit. Very sensitive receiver. I would highly recommend a 2nd hand one of these if you can find one to suit your budget.
Really serious piece of kit in a handheld unit. Very sensitive receiver. I would highly recommend a 2nd hand one of these if you can find one to suit your budget.
NinjaPower said:
Mutley said:
kapiteinlangzaam said:
Im pretty sure its technically 'illegal' to listen in on UK ATC broadcasts, hence the lack of online feeds etc.
It is not illeagal to listen in on Airband transmissions, otherwise we would not be able to purchase the radio scannersIt IS illegal to listen to airband on a scanner in the UK. In fact, it is illegal to listen to anything on a scanner unless you are an 'authorised recipient' of the message.
You can freely listen to stuff like BBC Radio 1 etc and CB channels as they are specifically for public listening, but barely anything else.
Don't forget there are loads of things you can legally buy, but not legally use.
You can go out and buy any amateur radio gear you want legally and own it, but the moment you plug it in and press the talk button you are committing an offence, for example.
ofcom said:
. Q. Am I breaking the law by owning a
scanner?
A. No, but it is illegal to use one to listen to
frequencies other than general reception
transmissions or those parts of the radio
spectrum which your transmitting licence,
if you have one, allows you to use.
You could be prosecuted for this.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/publication/ra_info/ra169r7.pdfscanner?
A. No, but it is illegal to use one to listen to
frequencies other than general reception
transmissions or those parts of the radio
spectrum which your transmitting licence,
if you have one, allows you to use.
You could be prosecuted for this.
AlaskanMal said:
Thank you for some great responses. After a bit more reading today I think the Uniden Bearcat EZI33 XLT might be what I'll be going for. Seems to have the features I need and at right price. Does anyone have experience with these handsets??
I've got a uniden bearcat from around 20 years ago and it still works well, I assume there have been a few models since mine. 
I remember using my dad's scanner in the early 90's to listen in on mobile phone conversations, before they became encrypted. That was also very illegal, to the point that my dad, despite showing me what freq to use to listen to them, seemed a bit scared to be doing it for too long, as if he could be tracked or something!
Yep, 90's analogue mobile phones prior to GSM digital were ridiculously easy. I was a teenager when they were popular and a friends dad showed me how he could tune in to them just using an old wideband scanner he had lying in his garage.
I bought my scanner for use at rally events and other motorsport stuff and it's been great, but naturally whilst at home with a new toy you want to find out what it does... And I was staggered to find out how many people locally to me in suburbia had crappy analogue cordless landlines in their houses!
Never did it again... It creeped me out.
I bought my scanner for use at rally events and other motorsport stuff and it's been great, but naturally whilst at home with a new toy you want to find out what it does... And I was staggered to find out how many people locally to me in suburbia had crappy analogue cordless landlines in their houses!
Never did it again... It creeped me out.
Brigand said:
I remember using my dad's scanner in the early 90's to listen in on mobile phone conversations, before they became encrypted. That was also very illegal, to the point that my dad, despite showing me what freq to use to listen to them, seemed a bit scared to be doing it for too long, as if he could be tracked or something!
Oh, that brings back memories...! A mate of mine had a scanner and we used to laugh ourselves daft at men calling up phone sex lines (presumably from hotel rooms). The woman would take credit card details, home address etc. and then call the guy back for some one-handed action.I heard
that said details may have been copied down and used to order things (from a phone box) to be delivered to the guy's home address as surprises for his wife...Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff