RS Indoor Telescope Antenna On PRO 197

[scannerland82]

Has anyone tried using the indoor telescope antenna on the PRO 197? If so what are the results compared to the stock antenna?

[n5ims]

What band or bands do you monitor (that answer is very important to matching the correct antenna, way more than what scanner it's attached to)? The stock antenna works fairly well on the VHF-Hi and UHF bands, OK on the 800 MHz band, and not all that great on the VHF-Low band.

The telescopic antenna you're asking about is one that you must tune (extend or collapse) based on what band you're listening to (read the manual for exact info, but basically nearly fully collapsed for the 800 MHz band, 2 sections up for UHF, almost fully extended with coil section shorted out for VHF-Hi and fully extended with coil section in for VHF-Low). If you scan multiple bands it works OK for where it's tuned for and not so great for the other bands.

If you only scan the 800 MHz band (think 700, 800, & 900 MHz frequencies) the RS 800 MHz antenna will beat it hands down. For other bands, the 800 MHz antenna won't work as well as the stock antennna. If all of your stations are close by nearly any antenna will work fine.

[wizardb]

I use the RS telescopic antenna with the center load on my Pro 197. I leave it fully extended. It does a better job than the stock antenna and I think it was worth the money. My Pro 197 witht he RS antenna receives clear frequencies from as far as 35 miles away.

[gewecke]

It work quite well if you follow the tuning directions that came with it. I use one with my 197.

73,
n9zas

[scannerland82]

Does anyone use the 197 in a high RF area with the indoor telescope antenna?

[gewecke]

Originally Posted by scannerland82

Does anyone use the 197 in a high RF area with the indoor telescope antenna?

Yep, everyday!

73,
n9zas

[TechnoDave]

Just reading over this post.... well, now I am confused, but just a little bit. Regardng the stock telescopic antenna that comes with the pro197. Is it tunable? Most of the agencies I listen to are 800mhz but there are a few that are still VHF. Is there any particular length I should have this antenna to hear both of them?

[doctree2]

If 800 up is your area of interest the RS 800MHz antenna is the best option. It does fairly well on the other bands except VHF-Lo (30-50MHz).

[KC0CSE]

Yes I do...works great!!! pulls in P25 perfect!! see pic......not extended to is's full length....it picks up the analog better than my 800meg this is why I use it at this time....

PRO 106
PRO 197

[gr8rcall]

I got one last week. It works great all-around for my Pro-106! I leave it fully extended, with the very top portion about halfway down!

[asurnin]

I got one to use with my 106 when in out of my truck. Works great, I collapse the bottom half to listen to the 150mhz system around the state. Oddly enough, it works better fully extended on 700mhz P25 simulcast when I'm at home, where I usually get a lot of multi-path distortion.

[N1BHH]

I've had one for years and use it from time to time, works okay as a temporary antenna.

[shadcall]

It works great for any scanner. I use it on my Pro 164 and use it on my Pro 106 when I go out of town rather than the rubber ducky that came with it.

[dwylie]

For me I use a magnetic mount antenna with double center loads. Hooked it on my 106 and I do get good receaption. I am not much of a telescopic antenna fan because they are too easy to break.

[jaspence]

Just remember that when using any extended length antenna, you are putting extra stress on the connector. Avoid moving the radio around and tipping it when picking it up unless you support the antenna.

[dwylie]

Originally Posted by jaspence

Just remember that when using any extended length antenna, you are putting extra stress on the connector. Avoid moving the radio around and tipping it when picking it up unless you support the antenna.

That's very true jasp because it's made to take very little stress.