Airband listening

[estcan5]

Does anyone know, is it possible to receive/listen to airband frequencies (118-136 Mhz, 2,4-2,5 m) with an antenna, that is tuned to 2 m amateur radio frequencies (144-146 Mhz)?

Best regards,
William

[Allocator]

Yes you can.  I use a spare 2M antenna with one of my scanners, however, you might get better reception from a dedicated airband antenna.

[estcan5]

So if I also want to decode ACARS VHF messages, should I better buy a special antenna? And when I should, then can anybody recommend some of them (that is not the most expensive, but doesn`t spare with quality).

William

[Allocator]

Why don't you try it with the 2m antenna and see what the results are.  Receiving with a slightly 'off tune' antenna is not as critical as transmitting with the wrong antenna.

Your 2m antenna in a good location and not too much cable will work better than a good antenna in a poor location - it's all about experimentation :-)

[estcan5]

I don´t have any antenna yet. I am asking it because when I can receive airband with 2m antenna, then the antenna possibly needs to be vertical (with vertical polarization, it isn´t so good for ham radio). But when I buy a special antenna for airband, I´d buy a 2m antenna with horizontal polarization for ham radio.

William

[estcan5]

Anyway, can anybody please list some good airband antennas?

William

[VK2GEL]

http://www.dpdproductions.com/page_vhf_air.html

[jannuh]

The Diamond D777 is very good on VHF and UHF air band.

Ofcourse you need a vertical antenna, such an antenna is also good on 2 mtr./70 cm amateur bands, for repeaters and fm part of the band.

[SNOWDROP]

The advice to use a 2mtr ant' is good, I use a homemade j-pole cut for 2mtr indoors on the shack windowsill, in a ground floor, sea level flat, and get great results,