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ATC scanner

PostPosted: Mon Jan 12, 2004 8:24 pm
by alexinho
I want to buy a scanner to listen to the ATC and traffic out there, what freq range must it have?

Re: ATC scanner

PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 5:56 am
by Craig.
depends on what ya want to listen to exactly?
Civilian i think is 103 upwards
Military you would have to spend more as they use a completly differant

Re: ATC scanner

PostPosted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 11:37 am
by Redwing
The VHF band is the most commonly used in civil aviation.....108.0 through 117.9 MHz for navigational aids, and 118.0 - 135.95 MHz for voice communications.
These are, I believe, accurately represented in the FS programs.

I also have a scanner, and used to use it extensively in the early 90s to familiarize myself with ATC-pilot communications, while working on my instrument rating. :)

Re: ATC scanner

PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 10:40 am
by Jared
Yup, it all depends on if you want to listen to military freq's too...

For just standard everyday traffic you can get one at radio shack to tune in on,

for military freq's I believe Sporty's pilot shop has one that will do it all, albeit a little pricier than the others but well worth the money if you are interested...

Re: ATC scanner

PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 12:16 pm
by Redwing
Yup, it all depends on if you want to listen to military freq's too...

For just standard everyday traffic you can get one at radio shack to tune in on,

for military freq's I believe Sporty's pilot shop has one that will do it all, albeit a little pricier than the others but well worth the money if you are interested...


I'd recommend Jared's first advice---for a basic scanner without all the extra features, go to Radio Shack. Don't bother with Sporty's......they sell a lot of cheap stuff along with more quality merchandise; all of it is overpriced (I've spent enough money on them to know!).

Do a net-search for scanners and you'll get all the sources you need (you can probably find a name brand like Uniden for about half the price that Sporty's sells them). Also consider buying used from Ebay or Amazon.

Check here for starters:

http://www.dealtime.com/xGS-uniden_radi ... id-3039112

Re: ATC scanner

PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 12:20 pm
by Craig.
a digital display one is also alot better than analog. that way you can tune to exact freq's instead of just having to dial through listening out for something, bit more money but worth it.

Re: ATC scanner

PostPosted: Wed Jan 14, 2004 7:22 pm
by alexinho
hi all thanks !!