Multiple news helicopters above me, no Mode S?

[CYYZGUY]

Hi guys, maybe you have an explanation.....There was a major fire a few streets over from me....still ongoing actually at 18:40 EST....

Multiple news helicopters have been flying overhead providing live video of the fire....I figured I would check my radarbox to see if I can see any of them....not a single helicopter in the area.   Are news helicopters equipped with mode-s?

regards,

Jason

[Runway 31]

I wouldn't be surprised if they were not ADSB equipped but I would be very surprised if they were not mode-s equipped.  Have you never picked up any helicopters in your area before as I see them in Canada on test flights out of the Bell Textron facility.

Could you see them visually from your home as maybe they were under your coverage as helicopters tend to fly relatively low and reception is line of sight.

Alan

[CYYZGUY]

Yes I could visually see them, I should have been picking them up no problem.  No answers to this unfortuantely......There were 3 news choppers doing circuits around a fire a few streets over from me.   Come to think of it, I never get any news choppers showing up.  I do get a lot of choppers from Niagara Tours flying over the Falls.... in Niagara Falls...

Oh well, something to keep a watch on..

Jason

[DeeJay]

Jason .Did the Niagara Falls chopper flight in 2008. Weather and vis was perfect, and I was in front with the pilot. An unforgettable experience. and  had my camcorder, so I can now experience it whenever I want