Insert66 wrote:
Or should i accept that local buildings are going to make it impossible. I
am 10 to 12 nm from the airport. but have other buildings around me
Im on the 12th floor and have a balcony

Hardly. Can't you hear the local police, fire, etc. base/repeater stations
from at least as far away? You just need a better antenna.

is a base unit more sensitive than a hand held?

Not necessarily. What a handheld usually lacks is a good antenna - as it
lacks a good ground and the antenna itself usually is a duck. Attaching an
external antenna to its jack will give you a big improvement.

would a discone do it?

I'd try any VHF mag mount first. Just stick it atop the refrigerator.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BDissident news - plus immigration, gun rights, weather, Internet Gun Show
IA HREF="http://www.alamanceind.com"ALAMANCE INDEPENDENT:
official newspaper of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy/A/b/i