Mobile scanner antenna for home use

gamewarden3006 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 01:12 AM

Just curious how well this would work,

I have an older bearcat scanner in my house. I am using it with the factory telescoping antenna. reception is fair, but lacking from time to time.

I also have a magnetic mount full range mobile antenna here. also have another similar antenna with an NMO mount. I also have spare NMO mounts with wiring. How well would it work if I mounted one of these antennas up near the roof of my house and then bout a plug-adapter to plug this antenna into my bearcat scanner??
any advantages to one antenna over the other?

I figure getting the antennas outside into "clean air" and up higher has to help with reception.

if it makes a difference I monitor 39mhz - 155-157mhz - 460mhz

Thanks for any ideas/suggestions

kc2rgw · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 10:32 AM

It should help a bit, the problem is that mobile antennas use the car as a counterpoise so it helps with the level of signal you will receive. You would be better off with an actual base antenna that isn't designed to have a counterpoise (ground plane) in the same way most mobile antennas are.

Wire it all up and just stick it on a fence or a table outside before you go through the trouble of roof mounting it. Should give you a pretty quick idea.

KT4HX · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 09:17 PM

I use a Larsen NMO 2/70B magmounted to an old cookie sheet (a metal filing cabinet is a good counterpoise as well) in an upstairs room. I really like the reception (VHF/UHF/800) I get for my local city/county as well as my surrounding counties and State PD. But obviously, it would do better outside. But in reality a regular base station antenna mounted up in the air would be better.

gamewarden3006 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 09:22 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I was wondering about the whole ground plane thing.... Oh well a base antenna doesn't appear to be very expensive anyhow.

Thanks!!

NYRHKY94 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 09:29 PM

One of my live feeds runs off of an Antennex ABSCANC Tri-Band magnet mount antenna inside the house with good results. I have it placed on the center of a large cookie sheet. Does a surpisingly good job both in terms of signal distance & sound quality.