Preamps

Barney6 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-11-2003, 03:00 PM

I have a 780xlt hooked up to an Austin Spectra antenna. I am trying to monitor 800mhz trunked systems in my area(Central and Northern NJ, as well as Orange Co). I'm able to get some EDACS and the NJSP, but I'm looking to get more. Will a preamp work? My antenna is inside of my apartment, where it will have to stay. Thanks.

Saint · #2 (**permalink**) 12-11-2003, 04:24 PM

I just tried the watson preamp on my bc250d scanner and it made things worse as far as reception across the band, I just sent it back it was not worth the $ 100 buck they wanted, I know it really depends on your location, the scanner, the antenna the amp, and other things as far as if or how it will work, I think the only thing for you to do is buy one and make sure you have a return policy, try it and if your not happy like I was just return the amp. I know some people who say they work great but then like myself I had no such luck.
steve

Barney6 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-11-2003, 04:34 PM

Thanks.

Ben96cal · #4 (**permalink**) 12-23-2004, 11:28 PM

Get the stridsberg active multicoupler for 800 mhz. I have one. Works wonders. I'm able to putt in a trunk system from 90 miles out pretty clear where before i was getting CC internmittently..

Ben
www.mattlogic.com

JamesO · #5 (**permalink**) 01-31-2005, 06:56 AM

I have had good results with the Hamtronics, Inc. LNG-800 pre-amp. It is $59. This is a narrowband 800 MHz amp. Not sure how well it will pass lower freq signals??

Some of the wideband amplifiers available intermod and raise the noise floor and cause other problems. You need to be careful in RF rich Metro locations with pre-amps.

http://www.hamtonics.com

JamesO