Pro-668: Best antenna upgrade for pro-668

[red37129]

What would be the best antenna upgrade for the Radio Shack Pr0-668?

 

[buddrousa]

What is your scanning interest?

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Yes, please provide specific info on who you're struggling to bring in so we can get eyes on the RRDB to help you make an informed decision & point out potential pitfalls (simulcast distortion & the like) which may hinder your scanning efforts

 

[bharvey2]

Like any task, you need to determine what problem you're trying to solve. In this case, in choosing an appropriate antenna, you'll need to decide what band or bands you wish to monitor, whether the scanner will be used in a strictly handheld mode, mobile (like in a vehicle) or in a fixed mode like in a house with an external, roof mounted antenna. Answers to those questions will help others on the forum advise you on what might be a good antenna option.

 

[red37129]

100, 200, 400, 800 band Phase II for Smyrna Tn., also if I ever get my scanner upgraded 100, 400, band DMR, really just everything that's not encrypted in 37129 and 37167.

 

[jtwalker]

100, 200, 400, 800 band Phase II for Smyrna Tn., also if I ever get my scanner upgraded 100, 400, band DMR, really just everything that's not encrypted in 37129 and 37167.

Oh, is that all? Antennas (especially handheld antennas) are usually good on one band, and sometimes fair on another. Then severely compromised on anything else. Which band is most important to you? And then do you want a handheld, back-of-set, mobile or base antenna?

 

[jonsmth]

I own a PRO-668, and have been using for about 10+ years now. The best antenna I ever used on the scanner was a Diamond RH77CA. It performed very well for VHF, 400mhz was mediocre but receivable and it did quite well in the 700/800mhz bands. I currently have a Diamond telescoping antenna in about 6 sections. There's a graph on the side of the antenna that recommends X amount of sections for each freq range, but I still prefer the RH77CA over that antenna.

 

[red37129]

Lol yes that's all, new to scanners, I'm showing my daughter, she's so excited, she asks me everyday to listen to bus and school, definitely want a hand held antenna, and when I get DMR upgraded someday the DMR bands for her bus and school is what is important, 100 and 400 bands.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

100, 200, 400, 800 band Phase II for Smyrna Tn., also if I ever get my scanner upgraded 100, 400, band DMR,

An antenna doesn't care what voice protocol a received station is. An antenna covering the bands you specified should work the same on analog as it does on digital (DMR, P25, etc) so no need to specify you'll need one for DMR. But many factors need to be considered: Power output of target stations, topography between you and said stations, sources of RFI (radio frequency interference) both within or outside your control, simulcast distortion among other things. All of these can help or hinder how well stations are received by your scanner

With that said, look into a telescoping antenna allowing you to expand and collapse segments (longer length needed for the lower bands, shorter length for the higher bands. I've owned a few of these Comet W100RXs over the years and found them to be solid performers. Plus they have elbow joints allowing you to collapse the element horizontally and down the side of the scanner for easy storage without you having to remove it (pictured is the SMA version said antenna, you'll need the BNC version I linked above for your model scanner)

 

[CycleSycho]

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Can I be wrong here, but isn't the PRO-668 (supposed) BNC connector not quite compatible with standard BNC connectors? I believe the center pin can damage the socket on the radio side if not careful. I have a 90deg adaptor and it does not connect to the radio (tried for use when I lay the legacy updated 668 on it's side, keeping the antenna vertical). It did not fit and I would not continue as I didn't wish to damage the radio top BNC connector. So, am I confused?


.

 

[buddrousa]

I never had a problem with my 668 with the Radioshack 800 antenna or the Remtronix 800 antenna.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Can I be wrong here, but isn't the PRO-668 (supposed) BNC connector not quite compatible with standard BNC connectors? I believe the center pin can damage the socket on the radio side if not carefu

Been well over a decade since I've owned a 668 but I've never had an issue. Perhaps I was extra careful?

 

[CycleSycho]

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I just rechecked the 90 deg adaptor & it doesn't fit. I have a number of BNC rubber duckies (different bands) and fixed 90 deg telescopic antennas, & they all fit. It is just the 90 deg BNC that doesn't. I also pulled a couple older mobile and base scanners with BNC fittings and guess what, the 90 deg adapter FITS them. Just seems the upgraded 668 and the 90 deg hate each other, I guess... Just one of those things that defy logic & reason.


.

 

[red37129]

An antenna doesn't care what voice protocol a received station is. An antenna covering the bands you specified should work the same on analog as it does on digital (DMR, P25, etc) so no need to specify you'll need one for DMR. But many factors need to be considered: Power output of target stations, topography between you and said stations, sources of RFI (radio frequency interference) both within or outside your control, simulcast distortion among other things. All of these can help or hinder how well stations are received by your scanner

With that said, look into a telescoping antenna allowing you to expand and collapse segments (longer length needed for the lower bands, shorter length for the higher bands. I've owned a few of these Comet W100RXs over the years and found them to be solid performers. Plus they have elbow joints allowing you to collapse the element horizontally and down the side of the scanner for easy storage without you having to remove it (pictured is the SMA version said antenna, you'll need the BNC version I linked above for your model scanner)

Thanks, for the antenna suggestion, I will look into a telescoping antenna, and yes I know about the antenna would be the same for the band if it's digital or analog, I was just hinting around for pro-668, DMR files.