Best Indoor Scanner Antenna

[mondaro]

Hello Everyone...

I am looking for some opinions here. I am taking the my 996 and BC15 on summer vacation.
Now I am not looking to pick up any great distance nut I would like some opinion about what type of
Indoor antenna would work the best picking up local transmission on simplex like boardwalk operations
from only a couple of blocks away in the upper floor of a four story hotel. I was thinking about this
one

ANT135BNC, INDOOR BASE OR MOBILE ALL BAND SCANNER ANTENNA, WITH BNC CONNECTOR - Scanner World - The Largest Dealer of Scanning Radios in the World

Any opinions and suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks in advance everyone !!

Tony M.
Harrison, NJ

 

[gewecke]

That's probably a good choice. Here's mine on the back of my uniden bc 785d and bc 780.
MFJ - 1717 vhf/uhf/ 16" whip w/ bnc.
N9ZAS.

 

[digitalanalog]

I think i would go with a discone that is easy to assemble/disassemble
and mount it outside of the upper floor on a railing or whatever.

The antenna you listed really is no better then a stock back of set antenna.............

Just my opinion.
Jim

 

[gewecke]

But keep in mind,he said range was not a priority but portability was.
How many motels or hotels would let you put a discone outside too?
Otherwise I would agree with that choice.
N9ZAS.

 

[digitalanalog]

True, i'm sure that would not go over well in most places.

Maybe a wire antenna then.

 

[mondaro]

Yes, thats my issue here while I know I won't be able to place anything outside I am just looking for ideas for something inside. Every year I try something different this year I decided to ask the forum which I am sure people here know a hell of a lot more then I do when it comes to things like this. Thanks everyone for your valued input.

Tony

 

[engine3]

when i go away, all i do is stick a mag mount antenna outside on the balcony somewhere
seems to pick up enough to keep me happy and isnt quite as noticeable as say a discone

 

[mondaro]

Engine 3...

Thanks.. thats a good idea. thanks.

Tony

 

[SCPD]

Well, you need to clarify something here. Do you want to drag a mobile antenna for use indoors? The stock BNC whip antenna will do just fine indoors - especially if you're up high. Keep it near the window and you'll see virtually no performance difference.

Now if you want to drag a larger antenna, then a discone antenna would be ideal - but they're not exactly small. You can do the mobile magnet mount solutions. You could also buy a scanner beam antenna.

Several solutions - the question is what are you willing to do for it....

 

[mrkelso]

I own 2 of those ANT135's, I have them stuck to metal filing cabinets in the garage and they do a great job for me. They are picking up what the back of the set antenna could not in the county.

 

[mondaro]

mrkelso...

Thanks, yes thats what I am looking for something I am stick just inside of the hotel window and get a little better reception while trying to pick up simplex portables a few blocks away. the base and Mobile units come in fine. I ordered an ANT35BNC today and will have a chance to test it out this weekend.

Thanks for the help and the tip.

Tony

 

[rvictor]

Here's a link to plans for a simple VHF/UHF J-pole antenna that you can make out of TV twin lead and hang from the drapery rod in your hotel room. If you use RG-174 for the feedline, it folds up to the size of an eyeglass case. If you do that, keep the feedline as short as possible to minimize feedline losses.

A J-Pole for 2-meters and 70-cm by dxzone.com

Dick

 

[Anvil]

Indoor antenna

I picked up a suction cup window mount at a hamfest that I use with a few different handheld antennas in hotel rooms when I travel.
I use it at home with a RS 800MHz Scanner antenna and get full bars from the digital sites I use.

Valor BNCSCRS Suction Cup mount

PS: I think I paid about $8.00 so you might want want to do a little Google for a better price.