Can anyone recommend an aviation radio from either Amazon or a good pilot store like Sporty’s that I can listen to local ATC? I’m fortunate enough to live near a very busy GA field, so would be cool to listen in. I know there’s Liveatc.net, but prefer the real deal. Sometimes I sit near one of the runways, close enough to see tail numbers, and when listening to tower I quickly realize there’s a 10-15 second delay online.
And a question: do these all have a PTT button? What would happen if you “butt dialed” and started transmitting on frequency accidentally…a friendly visit from the FAA once they triangulate on yor position? Better yet, to they have listen-only radios?
I bought a cheap Radioshack VHF/UHF/Air receiver on eBay a while ago.
These are receive only, so you don’t need to worry about transmitting. I think the one I bought was Pro 74? There are many types like that.
The UI is atrocious, and tuning channels and saving channels is not intuitive, but I can dial in and hear planes that are on approach or tower to my nearby airport.
We all have certainly started by listening real ATC com. I remeber my old and tiny AR-108. Today, they are dozen of aviation receivers available on Internet. You may not be always at visual sight from the transmitter so value the « biggest » antenna you can afford.
As my fellow colleagues above, I recommend acquiring a receiver only to avoid any mistakes and it’s way cheaper!
FS-ATC-Chatter (Just google that) is pretty good …I use it all the time, adds good imersion.
Was quite cheap (a few UK pounds IIRC) and once installed thats it (just set the region where you are flying)
It’s all pre recorded …but is definitely good.
Idk the US specific laws, but taking part in radio communications without being certified is a big nono, you are braking laws and you could even get jail or something for disturbing Air traffic/being a security thread, which is quite a thing, expecially in the US.
The funny thing is that in most of Europe you do need a special license for operating anything but the short range radios you typically use for group hikes or rides. The license requires official training.
In the US as far as I know there is no such license requirement. You can buy and operate a aviation band radio for home or handheld and listen in to your hearts content.
BUT interference with the safe operation of the ATC system may land you in jail as a federal offense.
So I would certainly also recommend buying only a receiver if you’re not planning on getting into aviation IRL.
Thanks, all. I’m thinking a Uniden Bearcat scanner (receive only!) will probably fit the bill. I’m about 1.5 statute miles from the nearby tower, so I’m pretty sure that will give me a good signal.
Would be cool to take that on a commercial flight as well, though maybe a bit nerdy and hopefully doesn’t make anyone nervous.
Being close to the transmitter is best, but antenna placement and type can get you better reception, depending. If it comes with a detachable rubber duckie, you can upgrade that down the road if you want, even going as far as mounting one higher in your home and running a coax to your favorite listening spot.
Yes the FAs would certainly tell you to turn off that device, even if it is only receiving. Remember you also have to turn off that cell phone
It’s been a while but United Channel 8 was usually the ATC communication, if the flight crew decided to enable it. Yes it was a decision left to the crew to turn on or off that service.
Seems like a lifetime ago which in reality it is when you applied for a student permit and a 3 rd class medical you also filed a form for an FCC radio operators license .The aircraft is issued a station license and the fixed base if it has transceiver also has a license .I still have my FCC operators license when I started taking lessons 54 years ago. I can’t remember the year the requirement to carry the operators license was dropped ,
and it’s way cheaper!