What is the rough range of the Uniden bearcat USC 230-e scanner with a 'rubber duck' aerial?

Question

when i refer to range, i refer to distance from the scanner to an aircraft or transmitter for example. It will predominatly be related to listening in the airband. Thanks very much people, as much feedback as possible is fab!!!

Answer 1

The aviation band is VHF.  If you want to maximize VHF reception you should have a VHF antenna.  If the antenna is about 6 inchs long and skinny, about 1/8 inch in diameter, what is sometimes refered to as a "rat tail", then it's a UHF antenna.  If it's still about 6" long but fatter, about 1/2", then it's a VHF antenna.  If the antenna is longer than 6" and is fatter near the bottom and gets skinner near the top, it's a multiband antenna.  All will receive but you'll bet better performance with a VHF antenna.  You should be able to hear aircraft from 10 to 15 miles anyway.  It depends on how high they are and local terrain, mountains and such.