newbie question

[neogeo]

Gday everyone, I have just been given a near new Uniden UBC73XLT scanner. I have played with it a little this morning and read the instructions. I am just past Wanneroo in Carramar and I cannot seem to pick anything up. Is this because I am too far out or do I need to upgrade the arial?

Does anyone else live out this way and have trouble picking anything else up? Maybe I am doing something wrong. Do most of you use the stock standard arial that your scanner comes with or are you using some sort of upgraded kit?

Thanks.

[Mug]

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful hobby of scanning.
The stock antenna that comes included with the Uniden scanners is not particularly good.
I have a Diamond RH799. It has a BNC connector so will screw straight on to a handheld Uniden scanner. If you have the means, be sure to get an external antenna. I'm sure they're others on here who have more knowledge than me with regards to them so I will allow them to advise you on those.

[neogeo]

Thanks Mug, by any chance can you point me in the direction where I could buy one in WA, preferably not online?

Many thanks.

[Zebedee]

Mug is spot on, if you get an external antenna, you'll probably find that your reception improves markedly.

If you don't want to buy from an online seller, you could pay a visit to Prestige Communications in Malaga, they're the first that come to mind.

http://www.prestigecom.net.au/index.php ... ts_id=1893

Example.

[neogeo]

I'll check them out. Thanks for your help.

[yorky]

You didn't say what you were trying to listen to? Let us know what frequencies you are trying and we could be able to help.

See here for some examples: http://warsug.info/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8974

[neogeo]

I've tried all frequencies that are listed on this forum, there are a few pages similar to the link you sent me. Can't get anything. If I buy myself a better arial then I am happy to listen in to whatever I can find. But air traffic control is what would interest me the most.

[yorky]

Fair enough, air traffic that far out is a little harder without an antenna on the roof and/or being on a hill.

You will find that you receive aircraft in the air calling ok but land based communications may not properly come through.

If you put all the Perth channels in and scan them all, you will hear something fairly regularly. http://warsug.info/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2107

Otherwise FESA 78.05 in your scanning would be clear for you.

[neogeo]

I think I am going to have to print and study the manual very carefully. Must be I am doing something wrong as I am not getting anything.

[yorky]

Feel free to post any more questions, maybe let us know exactly what you have done so far and we can tell you if you are on the right track.

To enter the frequencies in, you go to the channel number you want (lets say channel 1), press the Function button then PGM (program) I think it is. The enter the frequency, lets say 78.05 then E (enter).

Then its saved into channel one. You can keep it in program mode to do channel 2, etc etc.

Once done hit scan and it should scroll through the channels rapidly.

[spartacus]

See here as to how to program it: http://warsug.info/viewtopic.php?p=38352#p38352

[robbage]

Carramar is a long way from the airport for a rubber ducky

[neogeo]

Mug was kind enough to recommend upgrading from the stock arial to a Diamond RH799. Do you all recommend that one also or can you recommend something else? Planning to go to Malaga on Wed and take a look at some.

[yorky]

Sure, mounted on the roof I take it?

[Mug]

The RH799 is a telescopic antenna designed to be placed directly onto a scanner.It may not be suitable for being placed up on the roof in the weather.