AirshowStuff Forums

I currently have 2 scanners that I use, Icom R5 for airshows, military spotting, well basically anything and a Radio Shack Pro89 for local airport or air Base spotting. Both scanners have the Diamond RH77CA antenna and that really helps alot with everything.

The Icom covers the entire freq spectrum so I have no issues picking anything up. It's a very sensitive little scanner, i live in the Appleton, WI area and can pick up Green Bay approach/departure and on a clear day can sometimes pick up the tower. Green Bay is 20-25 miles from me, so you can see the power of this little scanner. Also when there is air to air refueling or other military operations happening over the area, I can pick up most of everything, and that can be as far away as 40-45 miles as long as it's air to air communications. Only downside to the R5 is that it doesn't come with all the bells and whistles like other scanners, programming can be a little challenging and it doesn't scan as fast as newer scanners but like I said makes up for it with it's performance. Plus it's very small and portable.

The Radio Shack Pro89 is a dedicated race scanner, but has the lower end if the Air Band so that I use for local airports or Air base spotting. It's an older scanner but still is working great.

I to have been thinking about upgrading my scanners but just can't pull the plug because of the good luck I have had with my Icom R5. Have any questions let me know.

bigt512 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:02 pm I hate when shows say NO SCANNERS. To me that takes some of the fun out of the show.

Wow that would suck! Luckily I have never been to an airshow that didn't let you bring in a scanner. As long as it wasn't a two way radio/scanner anyway.....

I know that Luke Days said scanners are not allowed. I have seen it mostly when the shows are on a active base. I have not had any issues at any of the shows that i have gone to.

bigt512 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:51 pm I know that Luke Days said scanners are not allowed. I have seen it mostly when the shows are on a active base. I have not had any issues at any of the shows that i have gone to.

Interesting, I have been to Nellis, March AFB, MCAS Miramar once and NAS Oceana multiple times and nothing was said. Hope this isn't a sign of things to come when it comes to airshows at bases!

I got an sds100 from https://www.zipscanners.com/

It was a little tricky for me at first, but once I called in to their customer service line we got everything sorted out and now its the perfect scanner for airshows, police, fire dept. and ems!