I own an SDS 200 scanner and primarily tune in to 800 MHz frequencies. I'm curious to know the maximum distance other SDS owners have managed to receive signals on this band. What type of antenna do you use, and what's the geography like where you are—elevated areas like hills or mountains, or flat terrain? I'm particularly interested in picking up stations that are 70-80 miles away from my local area. Thanks for sharing your experiences in 800 MHZ!
800 MHZ Distance
- Thread starter Tekton2
- Start date
I don't have experience with scanners but in general what you're trying to do is probably close to impossible. Any obstructions will block the signal; hills, mountains, trees, buildings. Also at 800 MHz in perfect conditions may have a 30-40 mile range. Your best change would be to mount a directional antenna as high as possible.
Just measured on Google Maps, the farthest one for me is right at 65 miles. The site is on top of Casper mountain, and I was on a pretty high elevation section of highway with no obstructions. In fact, I could see the mountain quite well from where I was. I have a 536HP mounted in my truck, and using tri-band NMO antenna.
For the distances you're looking at, you'll definitely need a Yagi and a clear line of sight, since you're a bit beyond the fringes of what your wanting to hear.
For the distances you're looking at, you'll definitely need a Yagi and a clear line of sight, since you're a bit beyond the fringes of what your wanting to hear.
Attachments
Yeah that's perfect conditions! I sit 1600 ft above the city I want to monitor on 800mz. Mountains of Arizona
Something like this would help. Browning BR-6388 806-896 MHz Yagi Base Antenna 11db Gain
Lots on Amazon too! Amazon.com : 800 mhz yagi
Lots on Amazon too! Amazon.com : 800 mhz yagi
I'd need to actually try. I can get north and south easy about 35 miles. SDS200 and a Omni X up about 20'.
Interesting antenna design... Kind of a weird fan dipole of sorts from the photos I found.
All this talk of distant 800Mhz makes me want to dig through my pile of old coax, chop it up into little bits, and put together a co-linear!
See avatar. Mine is set east/west, and have never spun it to try anything different. I will drop it if a hurricane is coming. Most of my stuff is 700/800, but no issues in the 150- 400 analog range. I can hear them all the time. I should try to see if I could get something farther away, but really no interest honestly.
From the looks of it, all of the higher UHF frequencies are on the vertical portion, and the lower UHF/VHF are nearly vertical as well. The RF pattern for all 3 elements should be omnidirectional, with a nul on the highest band, directly above. You would gain nothing by rotating it. The only way to make that antenna receive anything farther away, would be to raise it up higher.
I ordered a 800 mhz omni directional.
dpdproductions.com
800 MHz UHF Vertical Outdoor Base Antenna (851-869 MHz)
Specs Gain: 7 dBi SWR: 1.5:1 or Less on Center Pattern: Omni-directional Wavelength: Multiple 1/2 Tuned: 851-869 MHz Band: 800 MHz Safety Connector: N Female Cable: RG8X Cable Length: 24 Inches Height: 57" Width: 1 1/4" Weight: 2 lb Wind Area: 0.50 Sq Feet Features Ready Made...
dpdproductions.com
That should do the trick! Just curious, why that one instead of a Yagi? With the distance you mentioned earlier, I was assuming you were thinking about pointing toward Phoenix.
I was on the fence as to which to buy. I never used a Yagi. The Yagi would be pointed away from my Pima county towers and I dont know how much that might affect local listening. Plus, I live in a HOA and figure the pole will be more inconspicuous. I'll let you guys know khow it works out.
I've installed the new antenna in the same location as the old one. So far, it's delivering improved reception for frequencies below 800MHz, particularly for analog signals. I haven't noticed any difference at 800MHz and haven't picked up any transmissions from Maricopa or Pinal counties yet. Just for fun, I tried entering the iconic zip code 90210, and I can hear the California Highway Patrol (CHP) loud and clear. I plan to continue experimenting with adjusting the antenna's position.
Lol.. I forgot to mention the CHP that I’m hearing is on 7 to 800 MHz band trunking system. I don’t believe it’s Skip. State wide frequency
I'm guessing it's a patched channel that someone is dragging along with them. We have a statewide P25 system here, and I live a couple of miles away from the LE academy, so I am able to hear whats going on in whichever jurisdiction has training. Also, WHP frequently patches a couple of their talkgroups, so I am able to hear 6 divisions that cover 10 of our 23 counties.
I have my favorites list set up so the range and location for all TG's is the same as one that is statewide, and use location control for sites only. You should try the same thing by monitoring the site with location control turned off. You'll be amazed at what you can pick up. As far as skip, I have picked up some CHP traffic on VHF low, but mostly fire and EMS from the east coast.
I have my favorites list set up so the range and location for all TG's is the same as one that is statewide, and use location control for sites only. You should try the same thing by monitoring the site with location control turned off. You'll be amazed at what you can pick up. As far as skip, I have picked up some CHP traffic on VHF low, but mostly fire and EMS from the east coast.
Very cool, thanks for sharing that! I wasn't aware that you could disable location control . Could you please tell where to find this setting?
You can do it via Sentinel, or from the scanner itself.
Just make sure to hold on a site, or it will take forever to scan since it will literally scan the whole state!
Just make sure to hold on a site, or it will take forever to scan since it will literally scan the whole state!
Last edited:
Similar threads
- Locked
