Adjusting Antenna height

[FPOWLD]

I have a Pro 197 and scan 800 digital frequencies and wonder with the included adjustable antenna should it be fully extended or lowered for the 800 digital frequencies. I know that with it fully lowered (like a rubber ducky) I can get my local tower (3 miles away) just fine but being 800 I was wondering if it made any difference for towers/ departments 10-15 miles away?

[Redneck0410]

Originally Posted by FPOWLD

I have a Pro 197 and scan 800 digital frequencies and wonder with the included adjustable antenna should it be fully extended or lowered for the 800 digital frequencies. I know that with it fully lowered (like a rubber ducky) I can get my local tower (3 miles away) just fine but being 800 I was wondering if it made any difference for towers/ departments 10-15 miles away?

If you can hit the control channel from your location, it shouldn't matter much, I don't think. If it's weak, try moving the antenna around or putting it on an external antenna if that's feasible for you. That might help you too.

[gewecke]

Originally Posted by FPOWLD

I have a Pro 197 and scan 800 digital frequencies and wonder with the included adjustable antenna should it be fully extended or lowered for the 800 digital frequencies. I know that with it fully lowered (like a rubber ducky) I can get my local tower (3 miles away) just fine but being 800 I was wondering if it made any difference for towers/ departments 10-15 miles away?

To answer your question, push your telescopic antenna all the way in for 800 mhz. Shorter would work even better at that frequency range, which is why many users of the pro-197 collect various antennas for their favorite bands.

73,
n9zas

[DickH]

Originally Posted by FPOWLD

I have a Pro 197 and scan 800 digital frequencies and wonder with the included adjustable antenna should it be fully extended or lowered for the 800 digital frequencies. I know that with it fully lowered (like a rubber ducky) I can get my local tower (3 miles away) just fine but being 800 I was wondering if it made any difference for towers/ departments 10-15 miles away?

These are the approximate lengths for the various frequencies:
800MHz - 3.25"
460MHz - 6"
154MHz - 18"

[Rt169Radio]

It is like this:

Low band freqs: tall antenna

Middle band freqs: middle height antenna

High band freqs: short antenna

[FPOWLD]

Thanks for the info. I'll give it a try.

[wingmaker]

Originally Posted by FPOWLD

I have a Pro 197 and scan 800 digital frequencies and wonder with the included adjustable antenna should it be fully extended or lowered for the 800 digital frequencies. I know that with it fully lowered (like a rubber ducky) I can get my local tower (3 miles away) just fine but being 800 I was wondering if it made any difference for towers/ departments 10-15 miles away?

I would try all different ways to see what is best for you, I know a friend and me found out that his 197 worked better with it one segment collapsed leaving 3 segments for 800mhz, just a thought

Originally Posted by gewecke

To answer your question, push your telescopic antenna all the way in for 800 mhz. Shorter would work even better at that frequency range, which is why many users of the pro-197 collect various antennas for their favorite bands.

73,
n9zas

This is Correct

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