Aircraft radio transmissions?

Question

Wanted advice on scanning radio transmissions of aircraft

Answer 1

Buy a good aviation magazine and you will find lots of scanners and retailers advertised there.

Answer 2

its just above the top of the broadcast FM band

look at 118Mhz and around there. (in AM mode)

look for a book called "scanners", its got loads of frequencies for scanning in - its a scanners bible

Answer 3

118-135.975Mhz, go to www.liveatc.net greatplace to listen in on frequency.

Answer 4

Your best bet is to go to Radio Shack and see if they have any scanners to at least get an idea of what you're looking for.  If you look on most pilot shops they only offer transceivers, which both transmit and receive but are also extremely expensive (generally in the $400 to $600 range).

For communications we generally transmit between 118.00 and 135.00 or so on aviation frequencies.  The next thing you'll have to do is look up the local frequencies (www.airnav.com).  Keep in mind, the transmissions are mostly line-of-sight so you may not be able to pick up ATC on the ground, although higher flying aircraft are generally readable.

When I was a kid I bought a scanner (receive only) from Radio Shack for around $100.  They tend not to sell anything that transmits in general electronic stores and being a pilot I'm quite thankful for that.