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VHF/UHF Military Monitoring

From The RadioReference Wiki

This page is an introduction for those new to the world of V/UHF military monitoring, as well as for folks more seasoned in the hobby.

Where to Start?

Even if you aren't around a military base, there's still several possibilities to hear milair traffic:

Pages with Useful Information

Frequencies

As with so many pages on the Net, some of this information is a bit dated. Use this information as a starting point, then join the many different forums on RR and elsewhere to get updated information.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) frequencies

Mailing Lists

Receivers/Scanners

Mini Handhelds

Care should be used when connecting any large antenna to these handhelds. Receivers in this range will likely overload, as their front ends simply can't handle the amount of RF such antennas may deliver. They are most useful in airshows, or if a base is geographically close to the user. A good set of earphones is strongly recommended.

  • Other Models

Handhelds (full size)

  • Note 1 Programming UHF military air frequencies in the PRO-96 is only possible using Win96. In addition, sensitivity may not be optimum because the receiver was not designed for it. It's operation is otherwise normal in all other respects.
  • Note 2 In the November 2004 edition of Monitoring Times magazine, in the 'Scanner Equipment' column, author Bob Parnass AJ9S noted a pronounced loss of sensitivity in the 280-295 Mhz range.
  • Note 3 Icom receivers typically have a slow scan rate. Scanning large lists of frequencies effectively may not be possible. Software such as Radiomax may increase the available scan rate.
  • Note 4 Computer control and other logging functions using RS/GRE radios is not possible. Only up/download operations are supported.

Base/Mobile


  • Note 1 Programming UHF military air frequencies in the PRO-2096 is only possible using Win96. In addition, sensitivity may not be optimum because the receiver was not designed for it. It's operation is otherwise normal in all other respects.
  • Note 2 The BC895XLT cannot receive the 138-144 mhz range in AM mode. The BC898T is capable of this operation
  • Note 3 Icom receivers typically have a slow scan rate. Scanning large lists of frequencies effectively may not be possible. Software such as Radiomax may increase the available scan rate.
  • Note 4 Computer control and other logging functions using RS/GRE radios is not possible. Only up/download operations are supported.
  • Note 5 The PRO-2052 can be forced into AM mode in the VHF land mobile band (138-144 Mhz); a circuit modification is required

Computer Controlled Receivers

Other Sources of Reviews

Antennas

Filters

For those living in urban areas, putting up a good antenna (with the proper coax) can cause overloading. Sometimes this overloading shows up as pagers and other unwanted signals showing up in places where you don't want to hear them. These links show a few manufacturers that make filters for specific problem areas of the spectrum;

Preamps/Splitters