Antenna for handheld scanner - worth it?

[ES13Raven]

I have Pro-84 handheld scanner made by Uniden, which is similar to the BC92XLT. It came with an antenna only 4" long.

Would getting a different antenna help with reception? Would I see a noticeable difference or just a little difference?

I am looking at these 2 antennas:

20-034 Deluxe Antenna 9.45"

20-283 800 MHz Antenna 7"

The 800 MHz one says it has a 2.5db gain, but does it improve reception on frequencies below 800 MHz?

I mainly listen to
154-160 MHz and 460 MHz. Nothing on 800 MHz or any trunked systems.

Which one should I get?

Thanks for your help.

 

[holeinace]

If you do not listen to 800 mhz then do not buy the antenna designed for 800 mhz. Radio shack has a telescoping antenna that works pretty well for the lower bands.

 

[Nasby]

I recently bought a PRO-84. The first thing I did was replace the stock antenna with a Diamond RH77CA. The reception improved drastically! The stock antenna is really designed to only pick up local, strong signals (such as at the race track). If you want better reception, replace the antenna.
Paul

 

[Nasby]

Since you mainly listen in the VHF-hi and 400 mhz area, the Diamond RH77CA is an excellent choice. It really performs well in that area. My main area of interest is in the railroad band and VHF-Hi police / fire too. The RH77CA can be purcahsed from ham radio dealers on line for just a little more than what Radio Shack charges for their antenna.

 

[mjthomas59]

I would 2nd the vote for the Diamond. I use it on my Uniden 246 and absolutely love it. THere is only one 800mhz trunked system in my immediate area(that i listen to) and i can pick it up approx 20 miles away with the Diamond. It does a good job picking up the MissouriHP dispatch which is on 42.14(TroopC) and i've been able to pull VHF-HI frequencies out of Saint Louis about 40 miles away. Pretty good for a handheld antenna! And it definetely outperforms my RS glass-mount on my truck when i'm mobile! THank god my larsen is in the mail!!

Forgot to mention that those VHF Low frequencies weren't even detected with the stock rubberduck antenna on my 246! So yes, there is going to be a significant boost in reception when you switch.

The diamond is available at http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/2368.html I got mine in about 4 days from them and thats a pretty good price from what i've seen!

 

[ES13Raven]

I bought the RS "VHF/UHF High-Performance" Handheld Scanner Antenna for $20. It says on the back: Receive-only: 27-50MHz VHF-Lo, 138-174MHz VHF-Hi, 406-512MHz UHF and T-Band, 806-940MHz. Transmit/Receive: 144-148MHz 2M, 438-450MHz 70cm.

I will see how much of a difference it makes. It is 9.5" vs. the 4" stock one so there should be some improvement.

It does a good job picking up the MissouriHP dispatch which is on 42.14(TroopC)

I also want to be able to listen to CHP on 42.080. If this antenna can't pick it up well, I might have to try the RH77CA.

 

[Universaldecoder]

Recommend either the Maldol MH-255 or the HT-55. Do a google search to find a retailer.

I've got the MH-255, and am very impressed with it. The size and flexibility makes it a good choice for when I clip my radio to my belt.

The HT-55 will be for night stand monitoring.

These antennas are tuned for the public safety bands (except 800 mhz). In contrast, the Diamond RH77CA is tuned for the amatuer bands that comes close to the public safety bands.

 

[ES13Raven]

These antennas are tuned for the public safety bands (except 800 mhz). In contrast, the Diamond RH77CA is tuned for the amatuer bands that comes close to the public safety bands.

You don't think the RH77CA will perform better being 2x as tall?

I also want it to receive 42 MHz well.

 

[Universaldecoder]

You don't think the RH77CA will perform better being 2x as tall?
I also want it to receive 42 MHz well.

If we go by that understanding, then they should have made it longer!

There are longer antenna's out there, so how come no one is stating they are better than the RH77CA?

If you look closely at the RH77CA, you'll notice that there are two sections. Maybe someone can explain what affect these two sections have.

But to answer your question, 'no'.

 

[ES13Raven]

Has anyone seen this test?

http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/antenna.html

Comments?

 

[ES13Raven]

If we go by that understanding, then they should have made it longer! There are longer antenna's out there, so how come no one is stating they are better than the RH77CA?

It looks like stubbys are not as good as stock antennas:

Stubby Antennas
(Public Safety Bands)

When it comes to stubby antennas you're going to have to give up more than just length! The stock Uniden/Radio Shack antennas in almost every case easily exceeded performance of all the stubbies... which doesn't say much for their performance! The stubby antennas have a couple of advantages and do work well as an attenuatator and thusly are a favorite among racetrack fans because they "filter" out most of the radio traffic outside the general area. And, although you're giving up performance, when inconspicuous and low-profile are key, these are your best choices:
VHF/UHF Best: Maldol MH-209BNC Active Hunter
Comments:

For VHF/UHF the Maldol "Active Hunter" model MH-209BNC is very good, but it's not so hot on 800MHz. VHF performance is only slightly reduced from the stock Uniden/Radio Shack antennas, which was kind of a surprise. It is a bit longer than most stubbies I've seen, at 3" long it's probably as tall as you can get and still call it stubby!

 

[Universaldecoder]

So we have two extremes.....too long and too short.....

Too long....can result in l overloading

Too short and you lose range and and bandwidth...

Hmmmmm......

So how do you determine what proper length of antenna you need for a given frequency?

 

[Don_Burke]

So we have two extremes.....too long and too short.....

Too long....can result in l overloading

Too short and you lose range and and bandwidth...

Hmmmmm......

So how do you determine what proper length of antenna you need for a given frequency?

A halfwave antenna (in feet) is about 468/ frequency in Megahertz. The actual measurement varies with the diameter of the element. (Fat antennas are shorter for a given frequency.)

Overloading does not come up all that often in casual listening. I have one of the Radio Shack racing stubbies and it does not get used much. If the stock antenna is getting me into overload, I try using no antenna at all.

 

[Universaldecoder]

What is the significance of 1/4, 1/2, and 5/8 waves???? What does this actually mean?

Why such numbers? Why not 1/8 or 7/8 or 1...etc....

 

[ES13Raven]

Well, I ordered the RH77CA and should have it by Tuesday. I will be able to compare it to my RS "VHF/UHF High-Performance" Handheld Scanner Antenna.

 

[Universaldecoder]

You don't think the RH77CA will perform better being 2x as tall?

I also want it to receive 42 MHz well.

This one might do for you....

http://www.antennawarehouse.com/Scanner/Scanduck.htm

Just in case the RH77CA does not work out.

 

[ES13Raven]

http://www.antennawarehouse.com/Scanner/Scanduck.htm
Just in case the RH77CA does not work out.

That one looks pretty good too...

Anyone used the Super Scan Duck?