LiveATC Discussion Forums
Air Traffic Monitoring => Listener Forum => Topic started by: PilotChris8495 on January 18, 2011, 10:54:57 AM
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Hi, i have just got an airband scanner and need and antenna for it to boos rang a listen to ATC.
I have narrowed it down to these to option:
Maldol AL-500H http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/1687.html
Watson w-881 antenna
Could you please give your opinion on which is the best antenna to use. Thank you :-)
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I would favor the Maldol AL-500H over the Watson.
How far away from the airport are you? Will you be using a handheld receiver or base/mobile?
Ken
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Imo, if you're using a vertical, there's only a certain length you can make it before it doesn't matter what antenna you use. Build a 5/8 wave vertical for 128Mhz and you'll be listening to everything.
I once stripped some coax down to the copper feedline and it worked better than any antenna I had besides outdoor base ones.
For a base antenna, try a Moxon beam pointed at the airport. Very easy to build, very small for the band you need with more or the same directionality as a Yagi.
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Im about 15 miles from my nearest international airport and about 10 miles from a smaller airport.
I will be using a handheld receiver aswell.
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Im about 15 miles from my nearest international airport and about 10 miles from a smaller airport.
I will be using a handheld receiver aswell.
15 miles is just about non doable with a handheld with a whip. You may get planes, but chances of tower/ground/approach is very slim unless you get some serious height.
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Im about 15 miles from my nearest international airport and about 10 miles from a smaller airport.
I will be using a handheld receiver aswell.
15 miles is just about non doable with a handheld with a whip. You may get planes, but chances of tower/ground/approach is very slim unless you get some serious height.
I agree, at 15 miles it will be marginal with a handheld whip antenna.
Allenk - thanks on the Moxon info I may try building one of those myself. :-)
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Im about 15 miles from my nearest international airport and about 10 miles from a smaller airport.
I will be using a handheld receiver aswell.
15 miles is just about non doable with a handheld with a whip. You may get planes, but chances of tower/ground/approach is very slim unless you get some serious height.
I agree, at 15 miles it will be marginal with a handheld whip antenna.
Allenk - thanks on the Moxon info I may try building one of those myself. :-)
No problem.
They're really great in size and directional qualities. Much smaller than a yagi
I cant find the 2m moxon beam pattern, but here's a 10m one for 27Mhz. It looks similar to me.
(http://fakap.net/drop/files/moxon11m_cb.jpg)
The 2m has a low angle for airports, along with other lobes going into the sky, so it's great for ATC.
The only problem with a moxon, is it's fairly directional and it's F:B ratio means the back receives very badly compared to the front, so where ever it's pointed, is where it's going to be REALLY receiving. A vertical will receive well on all sides, but wont be nearly as directional and have as much gain.