Had one years ago but it was civilian only,(& the size of a car) & seeing as I’m just down the road from RAF Leeming I thought I might get one that has the higher frequencies for military aircraft.
Budget say about £130-150 but would consider used.
Any tips?
Ta.

would communications not be encrypted these days?

would communications not be encrypted these days?

No idea. You can but scanners which cover military frequencies but why sell them if transmissions are encrypted?
Anyway, I need to know.

You want a Uniden Bearcat 125xtl,
back in the day you could listen to police, fire, ambulance, mobile phones, baby monitors etc, these days most stuff is encrypted but aircraft civil and military will still be heard.

Last month when the B2’s were coming into the uk I was hearing them talking to a tanker overhead and they sounded cool, call signs were Death 11, 12 and 13.

Cheers peajay, owt else?

Civil ATC and most (/all?) Mil won’t be encrypted and you’ll be able to listen.

However it’s not legal to listen to British air traffic.

Add a R881 antenna to that Uniden and you’ll be laughing.  (according to the Other Half)

However it’s not legal to listen to British air traffic.

I won’t listen, I promise.

peajay wrote:

You want a Uniden Bearcat 125xtl,
back in the day you could listen to police, fire, ambulance, mobile phones, baby monitors etc, these days most stuff is encrypted .

We are currently on Airwave https://www.airwavesolutions.co.uk/home/ system but we are due to move to ESN https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-emergency-services-mobile-communications-programme/emergency-services-network However as with everthing the gov of the day implement the the costs have spiralled https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2019/05/4g-emergency-services-network-faces-huge-uk-delay-and-9-3bn-cost.html

Progress I suppose

I have a scanner, it’s a commtel com216
I don’t use it to listen to aircraft at airshows, honest.
1300mhz range
Works as it should but I haven’t used it in years
Make me a cheeky offer and I can post it next week

Multi million £££ military aircraft are still using antiquated AM radios as well. No encryption.
Civil air band has recently changed to 8.33khz channel spacing. I’m not sure if mill air has done the same.