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John Kasupski[_3_] · March 8th 11, 11:06 PM posted to rec.radio.scanner

On Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:17:09 -0500, wrote:

I recently bought a Uniden HomePatrol scanner and I love it. However, I don't
get much aircraft on it. Actually, I don't get any, and I live right under
approach and departure lanes for three major airports, LaGuardia, Kennedy and
Westchester, NY. There's planes overhead constantly, and I'd love to hear the
chatter from both the planes and terminals, towers etc. Unless I'm missing
something on this HomePatrol, it's about useless for air traffic., Any
suggestions for a scanner for aircraft, that won't break my wallet? Handheld or
desktop, really doesn't matter. Thanks.

To what has already been said upthread, I will add this: Also check that the
squelch is set properly so that the signals can open the squelch. This detail
often gets overlooked; on some scanners I've seen the AM sensitivity be a third
of what it is on FM. For example, my PRO-2045s have a sensitity of about 0.5
microvolt on VHF-FM but need 1.5 microvolt on AM to get the same 20 dB S+N/N
ratio for an AM signal in the same frequency range.

The other thing I can't emphasize enough: The antennas supplied with most
scanners are better than nothing - but all too often, not all that much better
than nothing, and some of them are absolute garbage. If the antenna's your
problem, you can get a better antenna for less than it would cost to buy another
scanner, even at a hamfest or garage sale - and that might still need a better
antenna once you've purchased it.

For indoor/portable use, I like the Diamond RH77. I have four of these and they
flat out rock! For an outdoor antenna, almost anything more sophisticated than a
coat hanger outside will work better than anything inside, but for maximum
frequency coverage in an omnidirectiona antenna it's tough to beat a discone.

Hope this helps..

John, W2PIO
Tonawanda, NY