RADIO SCANNERS

[nannie]

Hi. I wish to buy for my OH a radio scanner for christmas. We are fairly housebound at present and i have been trying to find something different for him this year. Can someone tell me please would one purchased from the UK work over here as i am completely ignorant on such things.

Can anyone recommend one please? This is fairly urgent knowing that the great day is now just round the corner.

Many thanks

Nannie

[lion]

In principle yes.

Things to consider:

Are they legal in Cyprus.

Are you in an area which is hilly?

Think about aerials.

Most transmissions could be in Greek.

I bought a cheap airband receiver whilst in the UK last week, these transmission are mainly in English.

Transmissions from the control towers may only be receivable close to the airport.

[nannie]

Good day to you Lion. Many thanks for those helpful comments.

Perhaps something different then eh?


Nannie

[lion]

Well what I wrote was not meant to be totally negative.

If you live by an airport and he wants to listen to aircraft, then its possible to do for around £15 via eBay.

Paphos airport is very busy today.

Not sure is ship use English as an international language.

[el tel]

I have had a scanner for over 15 years in the UK , and would agree with previous comments. The range is very limited and as already stated most transmissions will not be in English . My scanner has short wave radio bands in addition to the other bands which makes it more usable but ideally you need a seperate aerial for decent signals , which rather defeats the idea of its mobility. Will bring mine out next year and see how it works , but that is obviously not helping you. A good quality short wave radio might be a better bet. I have a Roberts radio which cost about £180 which I use quite a lot and bring it out to Cyprus, it has something called SSB ( single side band ) which means you can pick up amateur signals as well.

terry

[nannie]

Aha so a short wave radio would pick up aircraft etc etc would it?

Many thanks i just knew i would get pros and cons on this forum and it is very helpful too. Even i am learning about radios and scanners and the differences between the two.

Again thanks chaps


Nannie

[nannie]

Managed to find on ebay half an hour ago a Realistic Pro2042. I did read all the reviews which all seemed positive so put in a bid just one pound above the previous one and because there were only a couple of minutes to go managed to be successful.

Many many thanks for all your help


Nannie

[el tel]

Had a look at your pro2042 on the internet and it has lots of positive reviews. There are enough buttons to keep your OH busy !

terry

[nannie]

el tel. Mmm i have just found the online manual as the seller has written to say he has not got the one with the unit. Goodness it is all very technical so not a girlie thing at all methinks. Oh well will stick to my Kenwood and the kitchen i think!!!

Converted to euros i paid 82 so i am really chuffed with it. Now obviously i do not understand any of it so would you recommend a 'whip aerial' to go with it. The seller said the unit belonged to his wife's ex husband who has since died so he is as knowledgeable as i am and cannot help me with it at all.

He does say there is a small aerial connected so come on wise one advice please?

Thanks for your help so far.


Nannie

[el tel]

I have a realistic DX394 which is similar design to the one you have purchased but only covers the short wave bands. It has an extending aerial and I guess the one you have bought will be similar , they do work ok but for better reception you ideally need an outside aerial . A lot depends on your location as regards to reception . The ideal aerial is something called a dipole although an outside whip aerial would be ok, you can google this and find out more.
I would see how you get on with the aerial fitted to the receiver first and then consider an outside aerial at a later date . From experience an outside aerial is always the better option if you want to maximise the benefits of the receiver.

terry

[JTeee]

Hi nannie,

I have a scanner here that I use, and would recommend you do buy an external antenna for the scanner while you are in the UK.

The traditional type of antenna they use on a scanner is called a DISCONE and you can buy a basic one for around £35 in UK, the attached link has them for sale and I have used this company before.

http://www.moonraker.eu/Scanning-Receiv ... e-Antennas.

There is very little happening in English except for the aircraft band and the amateur band, the marine band is mostly Greek.

You would need to buy some coax cable with the right connectors to connect the antenna to the scanner but that is available in Paphos.

If you listen to the airband you can use a tracking site on the internet to watch and listen to the aircraft as they pass through the region and airport.

Please PM me if you require any further help as I can explain further.

Regards

John

[lion]

Many years ago I had a scanner connected to a DISCONE aerail.

Because the DISCONE is omnidirectional and I bought a good quality one the reception I got was superb.

[el tel]

Apologies for my previous comments , I did mean to say discone not dipole.

terry

[nannie]

Hi there

Just wanted to let you all know the gift of the radio scanner was a total surprise to the OH and he is thrilled with it. Cannot get any reception at all so will now order that external antenna as recommended.

Many many thanks to you all for your help and advice and belated merry christmas and a peaceful new year to you all.

If we need any further advice then watch this space!

Nannie