Aviation Radio Quesiton

November 12, 2018, 09:10 AM

I recently came across a Sporty's SP-125 scanner/receiver but it is missing antenna...Sporty's wants $25 for their replacement but I found some BNC antennas on Amazon for much less...Is there anything special about the sporty's antenna to justify the cost or will any BNC style work?

November 12, 2018, 09:20 AM

DennisM

No likely advantage to the "OEM" part. If it's a BNC connector, there are dozens of suitable replacements for much less (search "BNC VHF").

A transceiver (not scanner) antenna would work fine.

November 12, 2018, 09:25 AM

sns3guppy

Just because a radio antenna will connect does not mean it's the correct antenna. An antenna should be matched to the radio frequencies to be used; the antenna is the most important part of the radio set up. When dealing with a transceiver with a range of frequencies take the average (add the upper frequency limit and the lower and divide by two), then seek an antenna specific to that frequency.

Most radio failure is due to improper antenna.

November 12, 2018, 09:31 AM

Kevmo

quote:
Originally posted by sns3guppy:
Just because a radio antenna will connect does not mean it's the correct antenna. An antenna should be matched to the radio frequencies to be used; the antenna is the most important part of the radio set up. When dealing with a transceiver with a range of frequencies take the average (add the upper frequency limit and the lower and divide by two), then seek an antenna specific to that frequency.

Most radio failure is due to improper antenna.

This was my concern....I know Amazon had some for much less money with is worth it to me as long as it works

November 12, 2018, 09:38 AM

sns3guppy

There's a generic rule of thumb that the taller the antenna, assuming correct orientation, the better the gain (higher db), but personally I'd stick with the correct antenna for the transceiver. Inadequate load, or antenna, and you'll burn up the device; most transceivers (99%+) fail due to antenna issues. That alone should suggest going for the correct part. The fact that a given antenna has a BNC connector shouldn't entice one to connect. The antenna is an electrical device, and should be matched to the radio.

This may help: https://www.theantennafarm.com...ntenna_tutorial_page

November 12, 2018, 09:55 AM

Kevmo

quote:
Originally posted by sns3guppy:
There's a generic rule of thumb that the taller the antenna, assuming correct orientation, the better the gain (higher db), but personally I'd stick with the correct antenna for the transceiver. Inadequate load, or antenna, and you'll burn up the device; most transceivers (99%+) fail due to antenna issues. That alone should suggest going for the correct part. The fact that a given antenna has a BNC connector shouldn't entice one to connect. The antenna is an electrical device, and should be matched to the radio.

This may help: https://www.theantennafarm.com...ntenna_tutorial_page

Thanks...this is the one I was considering but I might do some more research.

https://www.amazon.com/Antenna..._product_top?ie=UTF8

November 12, 2018, 10:04 AM

V-Tail

I won't be going to my hangar until later in the week, but when I get there I can ask the radio guy if he has a spare lying around.

I'm pretty sure that any antenna with a BNC connector, that is made for the aviation VHF band (108 to 118 for navigation frequencies, 118 to 137 for communication) will do the job for you.

November 12, 2018, 10:49 AM

Sigmund

You'll enjoy listening to the aviation channels, and if you get bored dial up some tunes:

Receive Frequencies
2,280 Aviation frequencies from 118.000 MHz to 142.975 MHz
118 AM Frequencies from 530 kHz to 1700 kHz
102 FM Frequencies from 87.7 MHz to 107.9 MHz

https://www.sportys.com/media/pdf/sp125manual.pdf

November 12, 2018, 11:18 AM

Kevmo

quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
I won't be going to my hangar until later in the week, but when I get there I can ask the radio guy if he has a spare lying around.

I'm pretty sure that any antenna with a BNC connector, that is made for the aviation VHF band (108 to 118 for navigation frequencies, 118 to 137 for communication) will do the job for you.

Thanks V, I will hold off ordering for a few days!

November 12, 2018, 12:07 PM

V-Tail

quote:
Originally posted by Kevmo:
quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
I won't be going to my hangar until later in the week, but when I get there I can ask the radio guy if he has a spare lying around.

I'm pretty sure that any antenna with a BNC connector, that is made for the aviation VHF band (108 to 118 for navigation frequencies, 118 to 137 for communication) will do the job for you.
Thanks V, I will hold off ordering for a few days!

I'm tied up for the beginning of the week, can't get there until Wednesday or Thursday, but I just emailed the radio dude to ask if he has something lying around. I'll let you know when I hear back from him.

November 12, 2018, 12:09 PM

Kevmo

quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
quote:
Originally posted by Kevmo:
quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
I won't be going to my hangar until later in the week, but when I get there I can ask the radio guy if he has a spare lying around.

I'm pretty sure that any antenna with a BNC connector, that is made for the aviation VHF band (108 to 118 for navigation frequencies, 118 to 137 for communication) will do the job for you.
Thanks V, I will hold off ordering for a few days!
I'm tied up for the beginning of the week, can't get there until Wednesday or Thursday, but I just emailed the radio dude to ask if he has something lying around. I'll let you know when I hear back from him.

Thanks, if nothing else could you ask him if the cheap one I linked on amazon would work?

November 12, 2018, 12:29 PM

FiveFiveSixFan

Kevmo, since the radio you listed is a scanner/receiver and does not transmit, the antenna requirements are less stringent.

The frequencies you will be monitoring with the radio generally fall within the 118-142 mHz range and the Amazon antenna you listed covers the 2M ham band which is just above the aviation band so you should be fine with the Amazon antenna.

November 12, 2018, 03:58 PM

DennisM

quote:
Originally posted by FiveFiveSixFan:
Kevmo, since the radio you listed is a scanner/receiver and does not transmit, the antenna requirements are less stringent.

The frequencies you will be monitoring with the radio generally fall within the 118-142 mHz range and the Amazon antenna you listed covers the 2M ham band which is just above the aviation band so you should be fine with the Amazon antenna.

Bingo. He's receiving only. There's no danger of a damaging "mismatch" to the antenna.