Radio Scanner

RHJ

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Storm 10

I Have a top of the range scanner for sale on adverts, check it out its one of the best you can buy

Link: http://www.adverts.ie/other-electronics/ubc-3500xlt-scanner/4855671

martinsvi

1) it really depends on the surrounding terrain, buildings etc. The higher you are yourself and the less stuff you have in path to the signal, the further you can hear. From south Dublin, on a good day I can hear Belfast ATC using my DIY QFH antenna located in attic. Your chances to hear Shannon should be even better with a decent discone antenna.

2) this will do fine - http://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/radio-scanners/scanners/bearcat-ubc30xlt-ex-display-model

RHJ

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martinsvi

RHJ wrote: »

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I think Storm originally was selling it for 190e, which was a bit too much, as you can get a brand new one from shop for about 240e. 170e seems more reasonable.

It really depends on what you intend to do with the scanner. If you are only interested in ATC comms, you don't need a scanner that fancy, you're better off investing into a decent antenna.

if you are generally interested in all sorts of comms in your area (whether it's buses, taxis, security companies etc) then Storm's scanner is the way to go, it offers much greater frequency spectrum and for what I can see in the product description - scanning is super fast. I don't have the experience with ubc-3500xlt, I own a UBC30XLT, it's quite limited to airband, but does the job well

EDIT: before spending any money on anything, can you tell us about your location? what's the elevation from a sea-level? what's the highest point you can mount your antenna? what's the area like? any mountains, apartment blocks, industrial estates near by?

RHJ

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martinsvi

I think you will only be able to hear pilots, not the atc. Your elevation is too low, the curvature of the earth and the terrain in Midlands suggest you should be up atleast 200-300m asl to have any chance with east coast. VHF waves do bend a bit, but not enough in your case

You might have a chance with Shannon, but I'm very sceptical - there are some really high and spiky mountains in between. If atc is all you want, use liveatc.net and save yourself some money

RHJ

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martinsvi

RHJ wrote: »

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I imagine you should hear a lot of coast guard and other naval communications, local ports, ships etc.. maybe if your lucky, you can pick up random stuff from Galway.

RHJ

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A320

RHJ wrote: »

Thank you martinsvi for all your help

I think I will go for the Ubc 3500xlt Scanner can you please recommend a good antenna?

Regards

Rob

A scanking discone antenna in the attic for about 60 quid.plus some good quality cable.probably can buy a pl259 n type (i think) to bnc lead with RG213 coax online somewhere

RHJ

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martinsvi

this will be just as good - http://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/radio-scanners/scanners/bearcat-usc-230eb

as for the antennas - http://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/radio-scanners/scanner-antennas/scanner-base-antennas/scanmaster-d1300
or
http://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/radio-scanners/scanner-antennas/scanner-base-antennas/scanmaster-dd1300

and to connect them you will need something like this - http://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/cables-leads-plugs/readymade-leads/nevada-10m-coaxial-patch-lead they come in different sizes, browse around. just make sure you have BNC at one end and N at the other, if going with the antennas I recommended

RHJ

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martinsvi

both antennas mentioned by me previously will work for transmit, the desktop antenna will not. Also you have to understand - you have to mount it as high as possible. top of the roof is the best place to put it, attic is a compromise. If you start to look at desktop antennas, I have to disappoint you - they are meant for people living in high-rises, not 2story houses out in the country.

for all your radio questions, boards have a forum for that - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=922

there's some info on how to get started etc.

If I remember it correctly, amateur radio exam costs 25e for students (unemployed, retired and so on).. It's 50 for everyone else, so doing it sooner could save you some euros...

Blue Punto

Great scanner for sale

http://www.adverts.ie/other-electronics/uniden-bearcat-usc230e/4072012

Xpro

Blue Punto wrote: »

Great scanner for sale

http://www.adverts.ie/other-electronics/uniden-bearcat-usc230e/4072012

It is indeed. With close capture system, its a very handy unit as it can pick up nearby signals without knowing the frequency.