need some help with this discone :)

[SCPD]

Well went out and got this the other day and shes now in my attic about 25 feet up but again inside
DS150S Discone Antenna W/65' Cable 25-1500 MHz - Canada

Was just curious is there a element i can trim for better 800 mhz reception? its solid in the 140 mhz range just a bit lacking in the 800s, i Know its not ideal in the attic but its the only place i can put it lol too many sat dishs outside as it is Or should i just leave it alone? its running my uniden 396 but soon to be on a 996
thanxs Jeff

 

[w5cyc]

I think one of the primary purposes of a discone is to be wide banded, and yours is advertised to be just that. So I think I wouldn't be trimming elements, even if it's not everything on 800 you dreamed it would be. If most of your targets are 800, you might consider a tuned yagi, which most likely would make you wet your pants on that band.

 

[SCPD]

Yea its wierd i cant have both worlds it seems lol theres a lot of digi stuff in my area and a lot of the apco 800mhz its not bad on the 800 just not like my rs 800 ducky

 

[hoser147]

Thats pretty well been my experience also.

 

[kb2vxa]

While a discone is wide band (to a point) it works best where it's resonant, on VHF, UHF and near microwave frequencies. The frequency response curve looks like a roller coaster so there are dead areas, 800MHz is usually one of them so for this band like with most scanner antennas a separate 800MHz antenna is recommended.

DO NOT CUT THE ELEMENTS trying to "improve" a proven design, you'll only louse it up.