New transceiver but so much static

[Pilotmansam15]

I just purchased my first handheld aviation transceiver (Sporty's a300 that I bought for $80 on ebay) and there seems to be static on every frequency i try. I live in the Baltimore area and can pick up transmissions but they are very faint. Not sure if "squelch" has anything to do with it. This is my first aviation radio ever purchased so i am unfamiliar with the subject. Any hints or tips?

[blizzard242]

to adjust the squelch turn it all the way down (static) then slowly turn it up until the static stops. Look up the frequencies you want to scan, if you only scan the airband range (108-137mhz) you will get alot of junk and birdies (internal radio noise). Also if you scanner came with a rubber ducky (short rubber coated antenna) consider buying a new one, I suggest a cheap radiohack antenna (for $16 - $25 you can get a decent antenna). The rubber ducky will only give limited reception to air band. Lastly read the guide that came with your antenna and "tune" it the the median frequencies you are scanning. say you are scanning a range from 118 - 132 you may want to tune your antenna to 125 to get the "best" coverage. a good place to look up frequencies is radio reference, just google it.

[kiwisteve]

Hi  , I found with my AOR scanner that it actually interfered with itself on several freq in the airband . I now use it on an external antenna fed with good quality coax cable and problem is very minimal now   might be worth a try too if its mainly used in one location

[Pilotmansam15]

Thanks i adjusted the squeltch like you said and it works very well. Ill have to try and purchase a new antenna. Thanks for the help!