Antenna(e)

[epulliam]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good all around antenna, and a suggestion on how to roof mount it? Per neighborhood rules I don't think I can do anything crazy, or even a big mast off the top of the roof, so I'm hoping maybe something that can be mounted to one of those satellite dish arms using a U bolt or whatever. I see there are some ways of cleanly distributing one antenna to multiple devices: is there a big gain loss in using these? I also will eventually be adding an antenna for a HAM. Is there a problem with mounting these close together? I'm not completely in the dark, as I used to set up long range wifi networks and repeaters, I'm just not sure how many of the principles that apply there apply here. I have read through the db/wiki about the different types and uses, I'm basically looking for suggestions/experiences here.
Thanks!
Eric

 

[N9WP]

Eric, it depends on what frequencies you are trying to monitor. A fairly good "stealth like" antenna is the radio shack 20-176. It is small, not easily seen and great on vhf frequencies. Not so good on 800mhz but does get the job done. The higher the antenna is the more you'll receive and the better coax cable, the better. Get the best coax you can afford, especially if you are running more then 50 feet. I do not have experience with hooking one antenna into multiple scanners, someone else will have to chime in.

Also, a ham antenna that is close to the scanner antenna will desensitize the scanner while you are transmitting. If you transmit to much power, you could damage your scanner. I have an Icom v-8000 2 meter rig in the truck with an antenna on the roof. I also had my bcd396t scanner in the truck with an antenna on the roof and I blew something in the scanner to where I had to send it in to have it repaired. The antenna's where about 2 feet from each other on the roof of the truck.

In the house I have an Icom V8000 2 meter radio and a BCD996t scanner. The 2 meter antenna is on a mast about 33 feet in the air. I have a 20-176 antenna for the scanner at around 15-20 feet in the air directly below the 2 meter antenna on the same mast and I don't have any problems.

 

[epulliam]

thanks

thanks, you probably just saved me one fried scanner. I don't have plans for crazy power, but I would have definately mounted them all on the same pole had I not heard otherwise. I'm not so much lookin for stealthy as I am just an all around good antenna that isnt massive or requiring being mounted way up on a pole off the roof. The reason I asked about using a satellite rooftop arm is because it's already there, and I've mounted wifi antennas to it in the past. It was high enough for a directional antenna to reach someone 10+ miles away, so it's got decent line of sight. Another question I had was about lightning. I have bad memories from my parents house. They had one of those 8foot steel satellite dishes, and the stupid thing got struck everytime a storm rolled through. All those times I was knocked out of bed by what seemed to be a car bomb have me not wanting anything that would attract a hit. I realize this isnt nearly as enticing as a dish, but I just wanna know what precautions I should take. Do the lightning arrestors that go inline with the coax do their job? I have a box of nice coax I got from a site that was throwing it away, so I don't mind having a little loss for a nice arrestor. Also, the box of cable I have is times microwave lmr400 and I have a bunch of nice N connectors left over from the wifi jobs. Most of the antennas I've seen were not fitted with N connectors, and I have seen adapters, but I'd rather not use those. I would also like to know if the arrestors have N connectors (i have yet to find one locally that does), because by the time I use all of those adapters I would have killed my gain. Sorry to ramble on but I really want to get it right the first time, given the resource of all of you!
Thanks!
Eric

 

[schnit]

I have the same 20-176 as N9WP and it is a all around good antenna for the price ($26). I mean, you are not going to bring in signals from 100 miles away with it, but certainly works pretty good for my current (Allen County) and surrounding counties. My best advice is that since this antenna is pretty cheap on the price, if your going to spend the bucks anywhere, spend it in the cable. I feel the antenna is just relative, the cable is where you will experience most of your loss. I have mine mounted (per covenance rules) no more than 6 ft above my chimney stack. I used LMR-400 Traflex cable which is a bit pricey, but is exetremely low loss. Good connections are pretty important too. Like I said, this outfit really brings in the signals for me on my BC796D, I was pretty immpressed. Sorry I cant help with the Ham situation, I have had my ticket for over a year, but have yet the buy a radio or use it in any way.