{"id":57369,"date":"2023-08-02T06:00:39","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T10:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=57369"},"modified":"2023-08-02T06:00:39","modified_gmt":"2023-08-02T10:00:39","slug":"ron-recommends-the-planespotter-indoor-vhf-airband-antenna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/08\/ron-recommends-the-planespotter-indoor-vhf-airband-antenna\/","title":{"rendered":"Ron recommends the Planespotter Indoor VHF Airband Antenna"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, Ron, who writes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a>If you like monitoring the VHF airband then this antenna<\/a> might interest you.It is a half-wave dipole cut for the middle of the band. (Recall that half wave vertical dipoles do not need ground radials.)<\/p>\n

It is very well built and pretty rugged but is not meant for outdoor use.<\/p>\n

How well does it perform? That depends on several things…how far you are from your airport? What is the “lay of the land” where you live? Etc.<\/p>\n

Does it work better than the supplied telescoping antenna that came with your scanner?
\nYes indeed.<\/p>\n

And you will also notice an improvement in comms from aircraft in flight, too.
\nI had hoped to hear the ATIS and VOR from my local airport but they are too far away (20 miles).<\/p>\n

In addition, the eBay seller (and builder) is also very pleasant to deal with.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/ebay.us\/qV5Hsg<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ron, who writes: If you like monitoring the VHF airband then this antenna might interest you.It is a half-wave dipole cut for the middle of the band. (Recall that half wave vertical dipoles do not need ground radials.) It is very well built and pretty rugged but is not […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3607,5984,3],"tags":[4442,10277],"class_list":["post-57369","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-antennas","category-aviation","category-news","tag-air-band","tag-planespotter-antenna"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-eVj","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":57764,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/09\/a-review-of-the-outdoor-planespotter-antenna-prototype\/","url_meta":{"origin":57369,"position":0},"title":"A review of the outdoor Planespotter antenna prototype","author":"Thomas","date":"September 17, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Zach R., who shares the following guest post: A review of the outdoor Planespotter antenna prototype When it comes to airband monitoring, the stock whip antennas that ship with desktop and portable scanners are not the greatest. They\u2019re fine if you\u2019re at an airport\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/planespotter-hanging.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/planespotter-hanging.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/planespotter-hanging.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/planespotter-hanging.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/planespotter-hanging.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/planespotter-hanging.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29295,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/rocky-is-pleased-with-the-cc-skywave-ssb\/","url_meta":{"origin":57369,"position":1},"title":"Rocky is pleased with the CC Skywave SSB","author":"Thomas","date":"November 23, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor,Rocky Robello (KA7EII), who writes: Just got my new C. Crane Skywave SSB radio. Same size as my wife\u2019s C. Crane Skywave. AM, FM, WX and Airband all work just as well on the Skywave SSB as the regular Skywave. So far, I am very\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Products"","block_context":{"text":"New Products","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/new-products\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/CCrane-CC-Skywave-SSB-1-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/CCrane-CC-Skywave-SSB-1-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/CCrane-CC-Skywave-SSB-1-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":62550,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/04\/initial-impressions-of-the-tecsun-s-2200x\/","url_meta":{"origin":57369,"position":2},"title":"Initial Impressions of the Tecsun S-2200X","author":"Jock Elliott","date":"April 9, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM Bob Colegrove inspired this, with his excellent post \"Pressing Buttons. Twirling Knobs and Throwing Switches.\"\u00a0If you haven\u2019t read it, go do so now. And it was our Maximum Leader, Thomas, who some time ago was asked \u201cWhat\u2019s the best shortwave radio?\u201d His response (if I recall\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/S-2200x-800X800dpi-Test-1-e1744196031585.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/S-2200x-800X800dpi-Test-1-e1744196031585.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/S-2200x-800X800dpi-Test-1-e1744196031585.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/S-2200x-800X800dpi-Test-1-e1744196031585.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31689,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/04\/guest-post-the-prof-finds-a-nova-tech-pilot-ii-rdf-receiver\/","url_meta":{"origin":57369,"position":3},"title":"Guest Post: The Prof finds a Nova Tech Pilot II RDF receiver","author":"Thomas","date":"April 20, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, The Professor, who shares the following guest post: A 1960s Signal Sniffer by The Professor I just recently purchased a radio that on eBay that looks very intriguing, especially if you happen to DX AM Radio. It's a mid-60s portable made in Japan -\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/novatech-02.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/novatech-02.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/novatech-02.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":54841,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/11\/checking-out-the-new-c-crane-cc-skywave-ssb-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":57369,"position":4},"title":"Checking out the new C.Crane CC Skywave SSB 2","author":"Jock Elliott","date":"November 28, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM Folks who are regular readers of my posts here have already figured out that I am a big fan of the CCrane Skywave SSB. It is easily the most versatile radio I own, receiving AM (medium wave), FM, shortwave, HF single sideband, NOAA weather stations with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/CCrane-Skywave-SSB-2-001-1-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/CCrane-Skywave-SSB-2-001-1-1024x683.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/CCrane-Skywave-SSB-2-001-1-1024x683.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14504,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/08\/universal-radio-used-tecsun-pl-680-for-69-95\/","url_meta":{"origin":57369,"position":5},"title":"Universal Radio: Used Tecsun PL-680 for $69.95","author":"Thomas","date":"August 26, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"I just noticed that Universal Radio is featuring the following used Tecsun PL-680 in their used receiver collection. Here's the description: The Tecsun PL-680 receives longwave, AM, FM and SW bands plus VHF Airband. It features a backlit digital display, stereo FM (to ear jack), SSB, clock timer, 2000 Memories,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Deals"","block_context":{"text":"Deals","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/deals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Universal-Radio-Used-Tecsun-PL-680","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Universal-Radio-Used-Tecsun-PL-680.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Universal-Radio-Used-Tecsun-PL-680.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Universal-Radio-Used-Tecsun-PL-680.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57369","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57369"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57369\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57371,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57369\/revisions\/57371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57369"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57369"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57369"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}