Best allround scanner.

General scanning discussion forum. Talk about anything to do with scanners, equipment, VHF/UHF reception and the art of catching those illusive signals!
Post Reply
User avatar
Kaos
Radio Addict
Radio Addict
Posts: 964
Joined: 14 Nov 2007, 06:53

Best allround scanner.

Post by Kaos »

Evening all.

As the title suggests.....Whats the best allround scanner.

I have been using SDR type scanners for some time but want to "return" to the old fashioned way of scanning for freqs.

All that I would req is VHF (with Mil Airband) and close call. Uniden seem to the leader in this.

With so many models (Uniden) to choose from and billions of you tube vids, alot of which are just watch this 2m repeater, its a minefield.

Any pointers please Gent........

Many thanks.
User avatar
ch25
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 1673
Joined: 03 Dec 2016, 11:07
Call Sign: Lemmy
Location: Poland

Re: Best allround scanner.

Post by ch25 »

I was using BCT-15x, fast machine, trunktracker was ++ for me. Good rig. I can recommend.
Chris
WE ARE MOTÖRHEAD, AND WE PLAY ROCK N' ROLL
You can't have too many antennas...
User avatar
radiosification
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 2495
Joined: 27 Dec 2010, 23:52
Location: London
Contact:

Re: Best allround scanner.

Post by radiosification »

Assuming you don't want digital, then I'd go for the UBC3500XLT
If you're interested in digital voice, check out my YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/radiosification
User avatar
thelad
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 1656
Joined: 30 Jan 2012, 20:45
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: Best allround scanner.

Post by thelad »

Or the 125
Uniden UBC120XLT
Uniden USC230E
Uniden UBC3500XLT
Binatone PMR MR500 x2
Magiksun TM-490 (BF-888) x3
Baofeng BF-888
TTI TSC 100R
Baofeng UVB5
Zastone D900
Icom IC-R6
User avatar
Auldgeek
Veteran
Veteran
Posts: 4203
Joined: 05 May 2014, 09:18
Call Sign: GM0BRJ
Location: Lanarkshire, Scotland

Re: Best allround scanner.

Post by Auldgeek »

Uniden Bearcat BCT-15X or UBC-780/785xlt are very good.
Analogue only mind.
Auldgeek - Drew

Winner of IBTL Autumn 23 Edition
I've changed radios so many times, I've forgotten what I have :think:
User avatar
sickboy
Radio Addict
Radio Addict
Posts: 610
Joined: 09 May 2016, 23:07
Location: Scotland

Re: Best allround scanner.

Post by sickboy »

The Yupiteru 7100 still goes for £100+ on ebay, fantastic old school scanners, and still highly sought after. No close-call mind you.
Embrace your inner muppet !
User avatar
Kaos
Radio Addict
Radio Addict
Posts: 964
Joined: 14 Nov 2007, 06:53

Re: Best allround scanner.

Post by Kaos »

Cheers for the replies folks.

Bought a Albrecht AE72H for the time being to explore this Close Call gimmick. I have a few Ae's on the roof for various frequencies and its outperforming my 857d on Air Band RX and also 2m.

Will upgrade to a more user friendly scanner once I have "collected" frequencies.

Again cheers.
User avatar
ch25
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 1673
Joined: 03 Dec 2016, 11:07
Call Sign: Lemmy
Location: Poland

Re: Best allround scanner.

Post by ch25 »

100 memories... Not much space to "collect"
WE ARE MOTÖRHEAD, AND WE PLAY ROCK N' ROLL
You can't have too many antennas...
User avatar
Kaos
Radio Addict
Radio Addict
Posts: 964
Joined: 14 Nov 2007, 06:53

Re: Best allround scanner.

Post by Kaos »

ch25 wrote: 12 Aug 2018, 17:05 100 memories... Not much space to "collect"
Ahhhhh but the old fashioned way of pen n paper also is a good tool.

Yes I know 100 aint alot......but hey for 10€ its gonna do just fine for now.
User avatar
radiosification
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 2495
Joined: 27 Dec 2010, 23:52
Location: London
Contact:

Re: Best allround scanner.

Post by radiosification »

Kaos wrote: 12 Aug 2018, 16:42 Cheers for the replies folks.

Bought a Albrecht AE72H for the time being to explore this Close Call gimmick. I have a few Ae's on the roof for various frequencies and its outperforming my 857d on Air Band RX and also 2m.

Will upgrade to a more user friendly scanner once I have "collected" frequencies.

Again cheers.
You know that one doesn't cover military air band? There is a gap in its coverage between 174 and 406 MHz.
If you're interested in digital voice, check out my YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/radiosification
User avatar
26TM944
Radio Addict
Radio Addict
Posts: 864
Joined: 28 Feb 2011, 14:19
Call Sign: 26TM944
Location: Bletchley
Contact:

Re: Best allround scanner.

Post by 26TM944 »

I had a 3500XLT for years and it was very very capable. However, with most services moving to digital modes you might want to consider a UBC3600XLT but the latest Motorola update will enable RAS for all handsets and that might put the Uniden's at a slight disadvantage over other makes unless they tweak the firmware.

The AOR DV10 seems to have lots of issues and is bloody expensive! Older Uniden's like the 780XLT and BCT15X etc all work fine on analogue transmissions.

I have a TRX1 now from Whistler and very happy with that I played with a UBC3600 but I was unconvinced.

Cheers Steve
26-TM-944
  • A rig, twig & burner.
User avatar
Mikel
Radio Addict
Radio Addict
Posts: 715
Joined: 18 May 2009, 08:40
Location: South East Wales IO81jo

Re: Best allround scanner.

Post by Mikel »

Kaos wrote: 12 Aug 2018, 17:28
ch25 wrote: 12 Aug 2018, 17:05 100 memories... Not much space to "collect"
Ahhhhh but the old fashioned way of pen n paper also is a good tool.

Yes I know 100 aint alot......but hey for 10€ its gonna do just fine for now.
My memory is so bad that I have to write everything down! But, yes a paper log can still be a useful way of recording things heard. I have a copy of the 8th edition 'The UK Scanning Directory' book, all 540 pages of it.

As soon as anything is heard, the frequency gets highlighted and a comment gets written in the margin - great fun, better than stamp collecting anyday.
................................................................................................2W0NBF.........................................................
Post Reply