Home-made Loop Antenna

whitesox4life · #1 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 01:08 AM

I am looking to run my 2 scanners using a home made loop antenna using some old TV coax and splitters. My main question is, Will this work like I am hoping it will? I am mainly looking to increase my reception of 3 or 4 channels (VHF). The run is only about 15 feet.

Mike-KC8OWL · #2 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 05:11 PM

If you are trying to improve performance on VHF High band frequencies, you might want to consider making a simple SO-239 1/4 wave antenna and possibly hanging it from the ceiling or something. See the example below - this is only one of several available on the Internet.

CCARC-SO-239 Antenna

I not sure what you had in mind in terms of a loop antenna but I think this may work better for you.

whitesox4life · #3 (**permalink**) 10-17-2009, 08:12 PM

i am looking to increase reception in the 145-160 mhz range for my local fire / ems channels.

zz0468 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 02:10 AM

It probably won't work like you're hoping it will. You can use the materials on hand, but a loop antenna in that application probably isn't what you have in mind.

FLRAILMAN · #5 (**permalink**) 10-18-2009, 03:41 AM

There is your clue, you said "old TV coax" which is unreliable at best & splitters which subject your scanner(s) to additional db loss. I would venture that Dave, a member of RR owns DPD Productions which feature the "Custom Blade" VHF indoor antenna should solve your problem with minimal cost & aggravation since your listening preference is 145. to 160. MHz, this antenna could be tuned to the center of that band, it already comes with 18' of RG8X with a BNC connector already attached. As for splitters, I never used them in any of my scanner set-ups, there are economical, inexpensive & expensive splitters available however you get what you pay for, each scanner and receiver I've ever owned had it's own antenna as it alleviates a lot of problems such as if the antenna malfunctions, now you have two scanners out of action, to familiarize yourself with such systems check the WIKI section. Maybe someone reading your post will have a more viable alternate solution to your dilemma.

FLRAILMAN

DPD Productions - Antennas & Accessories for the RF Professional & Radio Hobbyist