Base Antenna & Cable Suggestions for Metro NJ Application

[mondaro]

Hello Everyone...

I am looking to upgrade my base scanner antenna right now I am using Antenna Specialist MON 58 and also a Radio Shack sold discone antennas with RG 58 and RG U.

I am looking to upgrade to the Austin Ferret Antenna and LMR 400 cable.

In everyone's opinion will I get better reception on those distant stations or more inter mod from the lovely city of Newark.

I am using the Uniden 996XT radio to receive.

Thanks in advance for comments, suggestions and insights.

Tony M.
Harrison, NJ

[pdfdems286]

tony, the bcd996xt is a pretty sensitive scanner. i just read a post here somewhere that the austin ferret was a waste of money. maybe look into a diamond discone. i think they run around $100/$100 and change. heard great thing's about diamond.supposed to be a well constructed antenna. i have the cheapie r.s. discone <$79.99> construction is not an issue for me since it's up in the attic.not exposed to any element's.remember, discone = no gain,but all around band performance. i just can't see getting a yagi type antenna,because i don't favor any direction.i like to hear all i can hear.ask in the antenna forum.just change it around,because you cannot cross post.

just a thought.you could alway's throw up the diamond discone,and if you desire,run another scanner to a beam antenna on a rotor. this way you could have some "pinpoint accuracy" if you want to zero in on listening to something.right now i don't have the resource's to do that.
i'm fairly happy with my discone run to a stridsberg multicoupler.

[comsec1]

The quality of cable and connectors is probably more important than the antenna. in your location a good discone will do fine as an antenna with gain will probably overload your radio. Kraco makes a good rugged commercial quality one.

[Skypilot007]

I had an Austin mobile antenna and wasn't impressed with it. Do some reading on them before you buy.

What frequencies do you mainly listen too? Ham radio dual banders make great receiving antennas for VHF/UHF. If you need more directivity in the urban environment use a yagi type antenna with a rotor like mentioned above.

[torrespi]

Hmmm.. I respect your posts but have to say that the Austin Antenna are hand made and are used by Ham Operators and and the FBI,CIA,NSA,CIA, Armed Forces and Intercept Operators...... !

Thingk you could do the research find that what I tell you is true !

Another thing you could do to receive is use a rotor with you antenna such a a yagi for the set band and tune in the hard to get ones....

The LMR 400 cable will do the job for your feed line...Good Luck

73's

[FLRAILMAN]

I agree with torrespi, I have two Ferrets & never had a problem with them as where I live now is a very low rf environment. (Just my opinion from experience with the product) Every item on this planet has it's pros & cons. However, being from the Big Apple & knowing personally that it, along with Newark are rf rich environments, then the Ferret would more then likely not be the best way to go. Check RR member Daves antenna site DPD Productions - Antennas & Accessories for the RF Professional & Radio Hobbyist & you may find something more suitable for you. As for coax, upgrade to LMR400 or Belden 9913, if these cables will require you to use adaptors for your upgraded antennas, then go with RG8X, anything less is not suitable, no matter where you live. Good luck.

FLRAILMAN

[kb2vxa]

Your present antenna is "good enough for government work" so I'd stick with it. Some like Austin but the majority know it for what it is, snake oil claims for a mediocre antenna. Things will definitely improve with LMR400 cable, RG-58U is good only below 30MHz or for short runs in the mobile, 18' or less.

Harrison, the city that glows in the dark with the lights off... if you can find it in all that smoke.

[fineshot1]

Tony - for a scanner base antenna I think you would be happier with a Comet GP-3 or a Diamond X50A single piece constructed antenna. They can be rather pricey but I was fortunate to make like a vulture and got both of mine new old stock on ebay for a fraction of the new cost. Both work very well as a scanner antenna and are very well wx sealed. Let us know how you decide and how well you receive on the new antenna & good luck.....

[pdfdems286]

take it from a person who has probably spent about $1,000 in all type's of antenna's. i have the diamond portable scanner antennas and the austin condor rubber duck. they all seem to be overly acclaimed. at least imho. i would rather just use the stock antennas. despite it's somewhat dubious history, the rs discone has alway's worked for me. i do have it in the attic though.

[kenisned]

I have a diamond discone and LMR400.

The Diamond blew away my old RS Discone and I have nothing but great things to say about the LMR400.

[Tech792]

If any one is interested, I have 75' of Times LMR-400 I'm looking to get rid of for what I paid for it. Brand new and unused with a crimp-on "N" male connector. I over-ordered for a project. PM me if interested.

[torrespi]

I have reviewed and respect every one's comments... I see that 73 Warren , Amateur Radio Call KB2VXA is not a big fan of "Austin ..I don't know who the " Majority " is that agrees it is snake oil claims for a mediocre antenna.

I know what snake oil is and if it's a " Austin Antenna" I guess I will keep my working snake oil !

I think Dick Austin ( K1QIZ) who invented the antenna might have a differant say along with a lot of other hams and scanner people. Contact me if you want his his e mail if you want to tell him elsewise , I would be happy to forward it to you if you like!

Any brand antenna and feed (connections,grounds ) and sometimes height and position can work if the right things are done and then even set conditions can effect the final out come ....a lot of good ham and scanner people know what I'am talking about !

That's my story and I'am sticking to it ...lol

73's and Happy Scanning

[mondaro]

Hi Everyone....

Just follow up since I posted this a while ago. anyway I went with the Austin and LMR 400 cable lets just say I was extremely disappointed.

Take Care

Tony M.

[kenisned]

Originally Posted by mondaro

Hi Everyone....

Just follow up since I posted this a while ago. anyway I went with the Austin and LMR 400 cable lets just say I was extremely disappointed.

Take Care

Tony M.

Can you elaborate on why you were disappointed?

What is your plan? If you make any changes, keep us updated.

[torrespi]

Wow ...Sorry to hear that Tony !

Maybe I can help !

Here's my take !

Example … John transmits on 50 watts from certain location 100 miles from your receive antenna /receiver/radio! Refer to as your LP (Listening Post)

Now assuming your set up is clean such as proper installation of the feed line and position of the antenna and ground and the radio is in good working condition, then it may not be the antenna’s….. You get what you get!

I suspect that your antenna position and height is what this may be about and that in your situation you should go with a rotor /and antenna type operation to receive those hard to hear frequencies!

Here is a link from radio reference;

my homemade Antenna structure

Is your set up like this! … Notice the different type of antenna’s he is using!

In addition … you may target the frequency band to the set antenna for that hard to hear band …is it HF, VHF UHF!

I noticed that you have tried Multiband Antenna’s in all your receive applications that are Omni directional!

I don’t think it’s your past antenna’s or certain brands in your case … I think you should do what any good listening post operator set up requires for your situation … graduate to the rotors and different antenna’s such as yagi an beam type antenna operation !

What does every one else think about this!

This information is what hams and scanner listeners would recognize.

Happy Scanning and 73’s!

Good Luck!

[kenisned]

Originally Posted by torrespi

I don’t think it’s your past antenna’s or certain brands in your case … I think you should do what any good listening post operator set up requires for your situation … graduate to the rotors and different antenna’s such as yagi an beam type antenna operation !

What does every one else think about this!

This information is what hams and scanner listeners would recognize.

Is this really practical when you listen to a scanner and are actively scanning?

For example, I listen to everything from 33.82, right on up to 800 mhz, here in NJ, from all directions.

[torrespi]

That's cool that you can receive those fre's .... and generally I agree with you ... But Tony was not receiving as good as he wanted to with his scanner and he is looking for ways into always improve his antennas ... I think that's want I got into it .

In your set up you get what you want and that's what counts...bet you " Tony' might want your type of conditions and set up etcs.

Another thing is " Tony" might not have the height , direction, or some other things that come into play from his Listening Post such as your set up !

In any event .. the better your set up ...the better chances your get what you want and sometime investments..and that includes my 3 cents...got 2 left ! ... lol

Peace

[FLRAILMAN]

Tony, I'm also curious as to what did or did not happen that you expected. Please explain in as much detail as you can so we can collectively assist you in this matter. Remember I advised you that the Ferrett may not be suitable for your rf rich environment however if one doesn't try something, they will never know the outcome, pro or con. Here are some Eham reviews on the Ferrett & LMR400 cable. Please keep in touch as we are probably as disappointed as you are.

Austin Ferret Base Scanner Antenna Product Reviews

Times Microwave LMR-400 Product Reviews

FLRAILMAN

[kb2vxa]

Sal, pardon me if you give me a slight chuckle.

"I see that 73 Warren , Amateur Radio Call KB2VXA is not a big fan of "Austin."
It really doesn't matter to me personally, you seem to have confused other people's opinions with mine and I have no opinion. 73 Warren? Huh?

"I don't know who the " Majority " is that agrees it is snake oil claims for a mediocre antenna."
People here and on other forums I have read.

"I know what snake oil is and if it's a " Austin Antenna" I guess I will keep my working snake oil!"
Whatever floats you boat, matey. R

"Happy Scanning and 73’s!"
Best wishes owns what? My sig is hamspeak for "Best wishes, this is Warren" and you made possessive pronoun out of 73.
(;->)

[torrespi]

Hey ...Us jarheads never said we could speak or spell right ...just teasing in all good fun !..lol

Don't want to piss anyone off and if I do ...Don't take it personal !