BCD436HP

[Firecodeny531]

Looking for a good antenna for my new scanner BCD436HP, I am a newbie to scanning.

 

[jonwienke]

What frequencies are you listening to? That will determine the best antenna.

 

[Firecodeny531]

New York City FDNY

 

[jonwienke]

Everything listed is UHF or VHF, so the Diamond RH77CA, at least for handheld use.

 

[W8RMH]

Comet CH-32 Miracle Baby, only 1.75 inches long. A dual band amateur antenna, I have been using, and recommending, these antennas for scanner use over 20 years. Great for handheld radios, easy to conceal, and not sticking you in the armpit.

https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/comet-ch-32-4341

The Diamond RH77CA is a good antenna but it's 15 inches long.

 

[jonwienke]

The miracle baby and similar antennas perform poorly, especially on VHF. You're compromising reception performance severely when you shrink the overall size. Mini antennas like the baby are only usable in strong-signal environments.

 

[GTR8000]

Everything listed is UHF or VHF, so the Diamond RH77CA, at least for handheld use.

Where exactly do you see VHF listings for FDNY? It's all T-Band...they haven't used VHF in years.

 

[jonwienke]

Everything listed for NYC. FDNY and police, etc.

 

[GTR8000]

Everything listed for NYC. FDNY and police, etc.

OP specifically stated he wants to listen to FDNY; he did not mention NYPD or any other agencies. See also:

Newbie looking for scanner advise.

Looking to purchase a scanner to listen to the FDNY, any advise on type/model to purchase. Would like to be able to listen to command channels, etc. Thank you

forums.radioreference.com

Looking to purchase a scanner to listen to the FDNY

 

[jonwienke]

Not to be pedantic, but that doesn't change my antenna recommendation--the RH77CA. It's better than the Remtronix 800 for UHF, and the OP can use it to listen to public safety stuff other than FDNY if he takes a notion to do so. Or not, if he doesn't.