Spectators Balcony (Spotters Corner)If you're not a professional pilot but want to discuss issues about the job, this is the best place to loiter. You won't be moved on by 'security' and there'll be plenty of experts to answer any questions.
I've been fascinated by scanners for the past year or so, and I think it's about time I bought one.
Before I splash out what I consider to be a fair amount of money - I'd be interested to know if the Yupiteru MVT-7100 is a good piece of kit. Seems to be up there at the top, with the range it covers.
Another question which I'm slightly unsure about is coverage. Does each and every sector in ATC have its individual frequency or are there some duplicates? (in different geographical areas) Being in London, if I wanted LL Director, could I pick it up on 119.725 from anywhere, or is the geographical factor important? I also often go down to see Aircraft coming in at 27L at LL, would I pick up the TWR from just around that location or is the range fairly big?
Just a tad confused at the whole system at the moment...sorry.
Hi Kirk, The Scanner issue boils down basically to what you want to listen to and whether you want it to go mobile, base(home) or both, this will dictate the size of the unit and maybe the cost? Majority of the Airband is VHF on AM which is more or less 'line of site' reception! The radio you mention is good but there are more modern and compact units on the market with the 8.33KHz spacing now needed to receive a lot of frequency's clearly! an eg would be the Icom IC-R5 great receiver from a superb communications company! remember 'you pay for what you get'! Have a look at some of the chit-chat on this forum!
I've had an MVT7100 for maybe 5 or 6 years now and has served me well. It's starting to go a bit senile now in its old age though. It was bought for £250 and the telescopie aerial was free with it, last time I checked the price of a new one it had held its price pretty well compared with most other electronics I had bought.
It has a superdooper scan rate, but I think all models had an internal noise or 'birdie' around certain frequencies, including 129Mhz which is particularly annoying.
Interesting, thanks. From the many reviews I've read the MVT-7100 does sound like a classic, though as Sniper pointed out, there is the issue regarding 8.33KHz spacing, not enabled on this model.
With that in mind, I'm perhaps thinking more along the lines of a newer piece of kit, perhaps indeed the ICOM as suggested. I'll mainly be using the Scanner outdoors; Do the batteries on these machines last long...?
Hi Kirk, The batteries (2x 1.5v Pencil AA) last for ages in the Icom IC-R5, the other scanner for bty long life (and I've nearly had them all) was the Yeasu VR-500. The other good thing about Pencil batteries is that you can get them anywhere so you should'nt get cought out! They low battery indicator system in the R5 is also very good!
Hope this helps, Steve
PS: have a look on eBay as there are some good bargains to be had! you should not be paying over £160 for the R5!
Right, thanks. I actually found the R-5 new on Flight Store for about £145. Maplins Electronics also stock them for about £170. I'll check eBay though...
Has anyone a recommendation for a good quality Airband reciever. Nothing too flash required. Just something to help while away any delays at the airport.
Has anyone a recommendation for a good quality Airband reciever. Nothing too flash required. Just something to help while away any delays at the airport.
Have a look on eBay! lots of bargains to be had! Just remember you get what you pay for!!
I was brought up in Horley (just North of Gatwick) and spent many a summer on the Balcony there (and some other places that we wern't supposed to be according to the airport Police!!).
My Dad bought me a Sharp Airband Radio adn now 30 years later I am back living in Crawley (Been all over the planet since!)
I am looking to acquire some things i had as a kid and this radio is one of them! Heres a picture
Does anyone ...
A) Have any information about this radio (model number - pictures - websites etc) B) KNow where I might get one in working order!
My first airband was a large plastic box affair with two dials a tuning scale and whip aerial, made in hong kong I believe, that was in 1972, I moved up to one of the sharp models a few years later, both gave you blisters if you did to much manual scanning !! I have seen people still using the sharps and I have seen them at several aviation enthusiasts fairs for sale for a few quid. Gatwick and Manchester have good fairs.
I am amazed at how much the hobby has moved on with the coming of SBS virtual radar, scanners, digital cameras and worldwide trips to exotic places.
With this expense its no wonder the hobby is not attracting the younger end as it did and the average age of spotters is getting older every year.
I am thinking of buying a new radio scanner. I would like to know what portable handheld scanner people would recommend for listening to both VHF and HF transmisions within a 'reasnoable(€300-400)' price range? Thanks everyone.
