radio scanners for air traffic control

[moorfield]

We're off to an air show next weekend (Duxford) and thought it would be fun to take a radio scanner with us to listen in to air traffic control while the Spitfire pilots do their stuff etc.

After a quick google I'm none the wiser what to get so wondering if anyone can offer any recommendations. I believe I need to be listening in at round about 120-130 MHz and don't want to spend more than £50-100 or so,

PS. I it legal ?

[ee61re]

AR108 Airband Scanner : Scanners : Maplin

The legal position is here:

Guidance on Receive-Only Radio Scanners | Ofcom

My interpretation is that aircraft transmissions are relating to Navigation, therefore come under 'general reception', and therefore it is not illegal to listen.

[SupremeSpod]

We're off to an air show next weekend (Duxford) and thought it would be fun to take a radio scanner with us to listen in to air traffic control while the Spitfire pilots do their stuff etc.

After a quick google I'm none the wiser what to get so wondering if anyone can offer any recommendations. I believe I need to be listening in at round about 120-130 MHz and don't want to spend more than £50-100 or so,

PS. I it legal ?

Make sure you get one with 8.33khz spacing. Listening to aircraft is legal.

You might not want to try that in Greece though...

[oversteer]

Duxford tower is 122.075MHz

If they were to pursue it, I think you'd have a job persuading OFCOM or the courts that you were listening to aircraft broadcasts for the purposes of "navigation". That probably covers VORs etc.

Not that it will stop about a thousand people at Duxford listening on headphones, and OFCOM certainly won't care.