which scanner

Location : Beck Row Spotter Watch Member : no

hi all, i have an alinco dj-x3 and the reception on it is very weak, even when im on the fence line of bases. i'm looking at getting a scanner that can receive military air band, any ideas on what i should get? i was looking at the GRE PSR-295 if thats any good. all help very much appreciated

Subject: Re: which scanner 2009-07-30, 17:30

I take it you are after a hand held? Personally, I would go for a Uniden 3500XLT. Plenty of people on the forum here use one. Covers all you would need and programmable through the PC with some free software and a lead (that you would need to purchase).

Edit: looking at the spec of the Alinco you have, you should have no problem receiving civil and mil comms with it. Never used one myself so have no idea what the antenna is like on it, maybe someone else has one and can give some ideas. No idea buying a new scanner if the one you have covers it.

You have the right frequencies programmed in? And in the right mode i.e. AM not FM for the airband freqs.

Location : various

DJ-X3 is fine for milair...not the easiest scanner to program though. Audio quality is generally ok on them (certainly as good as any modern Uniden I've used). More discrete than the 3500 and without the bulky belt clip attachment.

As jingernut suggests - check you are using the correct mode and step size for milair.

Location : Worcester

Also try a different antenna before you give up on it, if it's anything like the flexible antenna that came with my Dj-x2000 it's only fit for the dustbin Big Grin

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Location : Durham. UK Spotter Watch Member : no

The Alinco does have a feeble antenna but I have found mine to work just fine with an old rubber duck, you do need to get and adapter to fit. I also have a GRE 295 which I think is superb value for money. Again the supplied rubber duck is just about OK. I use with mine with a mini mag mount from Maplins (£15.00)for use in the car and If you are out the car, take the antenna with you, it works just fine. It is a great improvement with the little Alinco as well.
Programming a 295 can be laborious but it gets quicker once you get on a roll. Nice to be able to enter tags with the frequencies on a scanner so cheap. I don't think you would be disappointed with a GRE 295. A cheap CB external speaker for about £6.00 on Ebay would also be helpful.

Location : Beck Row Spotter Watch Member : no

Cheers guys for all the help, i went out and bought a telescopic aerial and cleared all the memory banks and started again. your right about aerial its now in the bin where it belongs. With new aerial and re-programming we are up and running and all happy again.

Location : Durham. UK Spotter Watch Member : no

Hey, we are all experts and yet we are still learning, that's the what is so good about this forum.

Location : Beck Row Spotter Watch Member : no

every day is a school day!

Subject: Re: which scanner 2009-08-01, 04:01

parkrage wrote:: Cheers guys for all the help, i went out and bought a telescopic aerial and cleared all the memory banks and started again. your right about aerial its now in the bin where it belongs. With new aerial and re-programming we are up and running and all happy again.

Excellent. Saved yourself buying a new scanner!

Location : Worcester

Glad we could have been of help to you. Thumbs Up

I noticed the difference with my Alinco by attaching the telescopic antenna that came with my Uniden 785xlt
at cosford I could clearly recieve Shawbury Radar roughly 19 miles away. At fairford this year with the std DJ-x2000 antenna I couldn't pick up Brize radar at all, & could barely pick up the a/c less than a mile away lining up Whistle

wether it is tuned for a strange freq I dont know? Embarassed