Review: AliExpress airband receiver - a complete waste of money
12,272
Published 2024-02-21
I had high hopes for this DSP radio that is supposed to work on the AM and FM broadcast bands as well as the airband. It would have made a great pocket-sized receiver that anyone could clip on their belt and use to help keep themselves and the skies safe.
Sadly, it is one of the worst products I have ever reviewed and has such poor sensitivity on the aviation band that it is effectively useless. Do not waste your money on this piece of rubbish.
Stay tuned however, because I will soon be reviewing the R80 aviation-band kitset receiver in the hopes that it is a better alternative.
And, before everyone writes in the comments "what about the Baofeng ham handheld?" -- I will also be looking at this option but unfortunately it isn't a legal option for many countries due to its ability to transmit across a wide range of (licensed) frequencies.
Thanks to my supporters over at Patreon:
www.patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
No mid-rolls, no sponsors, just content!
All Comments (21)
-
Yes to your server. I am waiting impatiently for your ADSB alarm and I eagerly await you air band receiver build to see if it is worth getting.
-
Your ADSB receiver would help the Paragliding world as planes and helicopters have nearly taken me out of the sky as they seem to be to busy looking at their instruments rather than looking out of the window.
-
I recently purchased a cheap compact hand held radio that covers the full air band in receive only, AM with programmable scanning etc. I added an air band antenna for about five bucks more and it is excellent, more sensitive than expected. It's a Ruyage UV3D.
-
Hi Bruce, Great video and information, I am interested in the adsb alarm, I had a scanner years ago,but it doesn't tell me how high distance a plane is from me. With the alarm I could see that the plane is doing. Can't wait to see your next video. Thanks for the video and information.
-
Qaunsheng UV-K5 ham radio. With open source firmware will give you Airband 200 channels . I bought one for $25cdn. It's wide received , 18mhz - 1200mhz.
-
Bruce such great ideas for keeping the RC community ahead of the game. Thanks
-
Really great ideas, Bruce! 😃 Looking forward to see the projects! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
-
Another vote for your server and giving YT the flick. I would love to see your completed airband radio and a video for building it. More power to the GreyBeards 🎉
-
I'm very curious to see how the R80 works. It would be nice to have a airband monitor on the cheap.
-
Eyes and ears work. We fly 2 miles from a busy GA, Flight School, NASA, F16 squadron, Coast Guard station. Eyes and ears have worked for over 40 years. No aircraft approaches unnoticed. But...I like the idea of a receiver. It is possible to find surplus 2meter Ham gear...maybe the transmitter no longer works and some have extended receive of the air bands.
-
Thank Bruce, always appreciate content on RC Model Reviews
-
Awaiting your server link with antici...pation. The kit looks like a great little project if it works. Looking forward to the review.
-
Have you considered a SDR dongle attached to a smartphone? The SDRtouch app works well as a scanner plus you get the benefit of having a waterfall display.
-
Hi Bruce, what's the make and model of your 3d printer? I want one! Thanks
-
Projects yes - adsb alarm and airband receiver. Own server is also of interest.
-
Yes to your own server. Let us know when you're up and running 😊.
-
My son is a pilot here in the USA and owns his own airplane. The only time that he makes a radio transmission from his airplane is when he is preparing to take off, near an airport and getting into the pattern to land. All transmissions are very short so an aircraft receiver to us who fly R/C model aircraft is probably of very little use I would think.
-
There's one particular plane without ADSB that loves to come by making low passes over our RC field which even has 2 FRIAs, and we're right in the middle of Boeing territory. It's a bit frustrating during a busy weekend when there are several clubs and individuals out.
-
Que opinión tienes del receptor banda aérea RBBA-03?
-
Great Point Bruce, I live in a class G airspace area out in the middle of no where, and there was a TFR issued for helicopter tree trimming work, to clear a power line easement, the work went on for a day or so. Helicopter was working at around 200 to 500 feet with a long tree saw hanging off it, I have video, it was awesome to watch, amazing pilot. But on normal day who would have known...Cheers! BTW did you drop an affiliate link? 🤣🤣
