icom pcr1000

Post by **kris** » 07 Jul 2006, 11:28

hello im new to scanning so this is probably a simple question but here goes
i recently set this radio up and as im about 4miles from east midlands airport i though id try to receive some signals from there i cant receive anything clearly from there despite having line of site could this be the ariel im using the one supplied small telescopic ive also heard that the control software supplied isnt very good any ideas would be appreciated as its really frustrating not to be able to hear anything
thanx

Post by **Andy** » 07 Jul 2006, 17:27

Hi Kris. If you are four miles away through dense urban landscape, then you probably wont get very strong signals on a little telescopic antenna. The ground services on UHF are only designed to cover a small area, and comms to the aircraft tend to have a clear line-of-sight so they don't use a lot of power. A discone or similar on your chimney will make a vast difference.

Post by **kris** » 07 Jul 2006, 18:34

thanks for the reply
its line of site over fields ive since picked up some local taxi companies so i know the receivers okay its not possible to put up an external ariel at the moment so whats the best compromise on that front
thanx for the help

Post by kc » 07 Jul 2006, 19:46

A better quality antenna will help. I was talking to someone at the radio club the other night & he uses a decent quality (& longer) rubber duck & it adds a couple of s points to each signal.
He is an electronics engineer & a G3, been around years seen it all, done it all & always willing to talk.....Scanning his biggest love.
I normally just use the standard duck, but I do have a telescopic that can be base, mid or top loaded, depending on which bands you are using & it does make a difference.

Post by **kris** » 08 Jul 2006, 10:37

thanx for te reply i was looking at these sky scan mag mount ariels does anybody know if there any good i think maplin do one i cant put an ariel outside at the moment so its a matter of getting the best i can thanx

Post by **scanning_editor** » 08 Jul 2006, 11:02

I have just got the pcr 1500 telescopic useless for home use. went to maplin and bought scanstick work ok fairly cheep but does the job

Mike

Post by **kris** » 08 Jul 2006, 13:41

thanx for the reply ill give it ago i think they do one for ?15