Antenna testing

[concordbox211]

Is there a way to test your antenna to see if it is picking anything up. I just put up a new discone about a month ago and it seems like i still only pick the same stuff i picked up with the stock one on the scanner. I have an old plectron that i use in my other room and it seems pick things up better than the one with the outside antenna. Thanks in advance

 

[rbm]

Any signal that was full quieting on a lesser antenna will show little or no noticeable difference.

The weakest signals are where you will see the most benefit from a good antenna.
(Or signals you never even were able to hear before.)

With that said, I use a number of continuously active frequencies to judge my antenna's performance.
NOAA weather broadcasts, ATIS at any nearby airport, distant control channels, etc.

When I first put up an antenna, I make a record of the s-meter readings for each of them.

Then, on those days when it's so quiet that I think my antenna fell down, I can check to make sure nothing has changed antenna-wise.

Rich

 

[nick1427d]

Like mentioned above I use NOAA frequencies but also some of the more active ham frequencies (fixed repeaters) where I know the locations, and busier PDs. Just for fun I'll put in some frequencies I have no intentions on hearing just to see if I can get em. You'd be surprised. Some of your local stations may also not be putting out as much power or the tower height isn't as high as some farther out.

You scanner could also be overloaded with RF, especially with a discone, if you live in a city or slightly urban area. I get overload on 150 from a paging tower 2 miles from me (not using discone) so I have some frequencies attenuated.

Also older receivers (Plectron) are pretty solid at receiving compared to some of the newer scanners.