Scanner and airport.

[Richu]

Guys, can you help me a bit? I can't buy a scanner because I dont have a credit card and I think In Brunei we don't have airband sold in markets. So I try to modify the FM radio to an airband. Anyone knows how far is the normal radio can hear the airport comm? This time its around 10km. is it possible to feed? 10km from airport.

[AB9IL]

I actually did that one time, to an analog FM radio.  It is probably more work than it is worth for you.

You can hear nearby aircraft, but the strongest ones may drive the receiver into limiting, blocking the audio.  The weak ones are difficult because the receiver front end doesn't tune the air band that well above 118 MHz.  The oscillator can be unstable and drift away from the stations you want.

I would suggest not doing the mods, and instead try to work a deal with someone not requiring a card.  If someone can send you a radio in the mail it is probably much less frustrating.  Paypal or its equivalents ought to be okay.

Ha!  I've been in the airspace there a few times, using the callsign "Jackpot" from Macau.

[Richu]

AB, u dne the mod rght? Does it work I mean if close to the airport. Can It listen to ground (121.9), tower (118.7) and approach/departure (119.2, 127.1)? Brunei dnt have centre so its Kinabalu centre (126.1). Its Brunei airport frequency. Maybe I can listen + spoting aircraft at the terminal.