InterceptRadio.com Forums

Hi All,

First, although it is probably common knowledge, I want to briefly mention an antenna I purchased for my Pro-95 the other day. It is the Radio Shack Cat. number 20-283. This is a replacement rubber duck for the stock antenna but what a difference. It is advertised as enhancing 800 mHz trunked systems but it also works better than the stock duck on everything else I can find as well. If you want to improve your reception for your handheld for a reasonable price, this is definitely the critter at $15.00.

Now, for a question. I live here in Federal Way in a tri-level house. ON the top floor or the middle floor, my reception is quite good but when I get down here in the lowest level, things deteriorate somewhat on the 800 mHz trunked frequencies with a lot of rapid fading on some of them. I would like to improve my reception down here with some sort of outside antenna. A friend suggested an amplified TV antenna but I tried one from Radio Shack with no real improvement and loss of sigs on things such as the WSP frequencies. Does anyone have any recommendations for a fairly reasonably priced outdoor scanner antenna which will improve my 800 mHz reception here in the lower level without losing vhf, air and similar frequencies? I would appreciate any suggestions you may have.

Thanks much to all and have a great day.

_________________
Kevin
K7RX

If you are not in an antenna restricted area and sounds like you are already familiar with radio shack you may want ti try the outdoor scanner discone antenna. It works reasonably well on most bands and has improved 800Mhz reception in my 1st Floor loactaion here in Algona. You'll need to include the Coaxial cable and connectors of course.

Sincerely,

Collin Dvorak
K7AAB
USCGA 12-6

Hi Collin,

thanks much for that information. I have been looking at that but wanted to hear from someone who has used one and how it performed on 800 mHz. Your feedback has been very helpful indeed.

Again, thanks much.

_________________
Kevin
K7RX

I use a piece of coax ...........the center copper is cut to the frequency lamda which I use the following formulas........for a 1/4 wave dipole it's 234 divided by the 800 freq or for a 1/2 wave it would be 468 divided by the same mhz of 800......or whatever freq you are wanting to capture.
I leave the center core see-thru plastic around the copper and tape the tip so as not to have moisture leak into it. The shielding stays intact with a little tape to ward off moisture as well. It takes next to no time to make, provided you have the cable and your handy at making the BNC end up.
BNC........in case anyone is ever wondering what that stands for.......is bayonet naval connector. ( it took me years to find that out...and you shouln't die without knowing that either !!)

If your really crafty.......this also can be used in a vehicle.......you can usually thread and tuck it around the inside top of the windshield. Naturally tho'...it's then a horizontally polarized unit trying to pick up a vertical signal...........but I can tell you I have picked up 159.210 South Sno. Sheriff as far away as Federal Way with it............ :D

That sounds like a good idea. I've done these in the past for other frequencies. I think I'll try one. I am assumming you are bringing the shield back down the coax similar to a skirt antenna or are you making it a true vertical dipole with the coax coming off at 90 degrees?

Again, thanks much.

_________________
Kevin
K7RX

No......I wasn't using it as a true dipole, only using the formula to cut it to lenghth..........I couldn't put up an antenna where I worked........so we used this.
At the area where I worked.....I used it as a vertical........in the van.....a horizontal..........since both were temp jobs.............I simply terminated the shield at the length of the cut frequecy..........what was once a temporary job has lasted me some eight years.

Thanks much. I'll give this a try since it is so simple. Take care and thanks again.

_________________
Kevin
K7RX

not a problem.........as a HAM......I'm sure you know that the config wouldn't work for x-mitting.....but I also used the formula for rec'ing shortwave freq's........on one bundle ......as an inverted "L" all strung up with cable ties. That's when I had a house tho'.
Now for apt living the cable works best for me........it's out of sight and relativly portable if I want it to be........and no grounding..........