FlyAirtran From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 0 posts, RR: 0 Posted (12 years 1 month 3 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 2528 times:
Where could I buy a scanner? I dont know much about them, but after reading some old posts in here, I heard they are quite interesting. Any info appreciated.
Turbulence From Spain, joined Nov 1999, 963 posts, RR: 28 Reply 1, posted (12 years 1 month 3 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 2410 times:
You can find one at any radio-amateur shop. Wherever they have City-bands and walkies, they got scanners, too. For the beginning, you do not need anything too special. My first one was not digital. Sintonizing was made by variable condensers, but it was difficult like hell to get one right frequency.
The second, and still in use, is a ten year old one, wich is digital. I bought it very cheap from a friend who needed an excuse for buying a new one. He's a real radio lover, and has radio licence. He doesn't care about planes, but knows everything about radios. A regular scanner costs about 50,000 pts (about 300 EURO or 290 USD, I don't know where you are from), plus antenna (1,000 pts/6 EUR/5.75 USD) and power source (15,000 pts/90 EUR/87 US$) and headset if you want. A good one climbs to 80,000 pts (480 EUR/460 US$). I paid 15.000 ptas for scanner, rubber antenna, adaptor, power source and car lighter plug, all together. If you are going to cennect it to the home a/c outlet, do not buy just an a/c adaptor. They give you 12 volts or so, but do not filter alternancy noises. Get what is called power source. It gives the same power, but silent.
A scanner does not need to be very sensible, specially if you are relatively close to the airport. I fins myself at 12 kms (8 miles, I don't know where you are from) of BCN.
For me, the best way to start if you do not know any freq., is try the range of 121s. Most airports have ground frequencies around there. So go to 121.97, then to 121.95, 121.92, 121.90, usw.
BCN has 121.70 for ground and 121.80 for deliveries. Also most of the times, control tower (landings and T/Os) are around 118 (BCN 118.1)
Then, do not leave the scanner just “fly” between 118.00 and 136.00 or you'll get nuts. Write down the frequncies each pilot is given (You know, the last message given is “Air 1234, call now radar at 125.05” or anything similar. This way you'll get all the freqs. Then memorize them into the scanner and let it jump between them as they get busy. You'll get addicted soon.
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From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 0 posts, 
From Spain, joined Nov 1999, 963 posts, 
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