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Post by Chris Gurney on Feb 12, 2008 19:52:54 GMT
Forum member Dakotasix (john) is after a cheap airband radio but it must be able to pick up military traffic, can anyone help!
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tigger
Junior Member
Posts: 39
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Post by tigger on Feb 13, 2008 8:08:33 GMT
Not really a very helpful post Chris!
desktop? handheld? mobile? what exactly does 'cheap' mean? does he want coverage of anything else?
Plenty of milair capable scanners crop up on eblag for reasonable prices (plenty are unreasonable!)
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Post by Chris Gurney on Feb 13, 2008 20:09:20 GMT
I can only post the info that i am given, please direct any questions to 'dakotasix' who will be able to tell you what he is after.
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Post by dakotasix on Feb 14, 2008 10:18:12 GMT
Hi Guys, It is a hand held scanner I require,air band civil/mil. freqs.There is a yupiteru on an air band website for £85 mvt225? does this sound ok (no garnt.) Sorry I am so far out of touch with these things so that is why I require your input? thanks John.
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tigger
Junior Member
Posts: 39
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Post by tigger on Feb 14, 2008 10:36:43 GMT
John, the VT225 is an excellent airband reciever. Fairly compact, good on batteries. Downsides- has a known 90MHz image problem (which isn't a problem if you know it's there!), limited number of memories (most people seem to want thousands of them for some reason) no 8.33KHz step size (not really an issue) no computer control (again not really a problem)
It will out-perform most newer wideband scanners on airband
For that money you could also look at an MVT7100. Less compact, still good on batteries, all mode wideband recieve covering low VHF air (useful for helios in particular). reasonable HF (for a handheld) good operformance on normal civ/milair.
Or if you are lucky an AR8200 (AR8000 is very good but lots of image problems). Not quite as good as the Yupi but does add computer connection facility.
I don't really use many of my newer radios for milair comms as the older ones have consistently proved better in that area of spectrum.
As the merkins would say ' your milage may vary'
If you have any specific questions about radio models feel free to PM me.
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Post by dakotasix on Feb 14, 2008 13:33:49 GMT
Tigger,thanks for that,I am still going around in circles and I have been looking at a Bearcat UBC3500xlt for £145 new,any comments would be appreciated. thanks,John.
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tigger
Junior Member
Posts: 39
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Post by tigger on Feb 14, 2008 14:26:44 GMT
Wouldn't be my choice for airband but they are good value for money. If things like 'close call' (very limited use in reality), CTCSS/DCS decode (at a sensible speed) and the dynamic memory are of inteest to you then it's a good choice. Battery consumption is good, case is quite a nice design (though I find uniden's belt clips bulky and awkward). It's certainly not as good a 'receiver' as the MVT7100, AR8000, IC-R20, DJ-X2000 and for MILAIR is not even close to the VT225
You will need to think about software if you plan on using a lot of the memories. There is both free and commercial software available - the two main free ones are not yet as complete as the commercial stuff but look like they'll overtake it soon.
It's almost certainly available online cheaper than the price you mention
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Post by dakotasix on Feb 15, 2008 10:18:30 GMT
Morning Tigger,I have had a look on website and found that there is still a vt225 there for £95 do you think that is ok for price? It is still in the box with all bits & bobs but has no gt. The shop says it has been checked over and is in good working order.Will you please text me either a yes or no as soon as you read this as I will probably order it right away. No is 07710672087.Sorry to be a pain but going of the old pc now. p.s. is there anywhere on the web you can find freqs,my lists are well out of date !!
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Post by "YellowBelly" on Feb 15, 2008 20:32:54 GMT
If you ask me the VT225 is getting rather long in the tooth now and you will be looking for another scanner sooner than you think. Also as not got 8.33mHz spacing, which would be useful for mil traffic using VHF at high level. I have been using the 3500XLT for a while now and can tell you its a excellent scanner for mil airband, I use it for mobile use and now homebase. When at home its connected to a dedicated mil/civ airband antenna which is above the house. I have been into scanning for alot of years and had many scanners/receivers and this one is definatly worth the money.
I do use pc software (ARC3500PRO) for programming freqs into the 3500XLT which only takes a matter of minutes, also I like the virtual control on your pc screen. PC control is the way forward now especially when you are talking about hundreds of freqs to enter into your scanner..
(VT225 is still a awesome airband scanner, its just getting old now)
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Post by dakotasix on Feb 16, 2008 17:05:35 GMT
Thanks for that "Yellowbelly" It looks as if I shall get the 3500xlt as I think it will meet my needs.Will the "Discone" aerial suffice or do I need to upgrade that as well and if so with what?Sorry to be a pest but as I said i am a long way out of touch with these things and will have to try and get some new freqs to get me going.Who do you reckon is the best company to buy from on the web?
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tigger
Junior Member
Posts: 39
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Post by tigger on Feb 16, 2008 17:37:17 GMT
Again it depends whether you really want to concentrate on airband or if you want to use your new radio for other things. The discone is a compromise aerial that gives acceptable wideband performance. A dedicated airband aerial, mounted as high as possible and with good qaulity low loss cable will better results on AIRBAND. Most of the big dealers (as per our texts) sell the 3500, most have reasonable reputations that they want to keep so look for the best price There are yahoo groups dedicated to scanning and specific scanner models - they would be a good source of info from many more buyers/users than this bulletin board.
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Post by "YellowBelly" on Feb 17, 2008 0:00:45 GMT
If you have Discone it should work fine with your 3500XLT, as they both cover the same freqs, but like tigger says if you want airband get a dedicated antenna for it. I have two antennas connected to my 3500XLT one for mil/civ airband (Diamond D-777) and also a wideband antenna (Scanking SE-1500). Ebay is a great place for radio gear and have noticed now that you can get a 3500XLT now for £139 + £5.95 postage (NEW). Also check out my email group were you will find a full list of the best places to buy Scanners/Receivers/SBS/Antennas etc.
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Post by dakotasix on Feb 17, 2008 17:27:25 GMT
Hi Yellowbelly,Where abouts on ebay did you see that 3500xlt for £139 as I cannot seem to find it ?? I am possibly doing something wrong but if you have seen it can you please let me know as I want to order it soonest.There seems to be a lot of cheap Maycoms on the only site I am looking at.How do I get to your e-mail group please! O.K. so I'm a thicko,just to old for these pc's I guess.
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tigger
Junior Member
Posts: 39
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Post by tigger on Feb 17, 2008 18:06:43 GMT
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Post by "YellowBelly" on Feb 17, 2008 18:15:13 GMT
Go into ebay and put this number in the search box at the top: 120221458020 This one is ending on the 19-Feb-08 00:20:25 GMT, but there is 6 more to auction after this one. Good luck...
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