Best Portable Handheld Antenna Solution

[JuJuMan]

Hi all. I'm new to the scanning hobby and would love to hear any suggestions on how to improve handheld radio reception or what others are using. I have a Yaesu RX-3r (export version) with a stock rubber duckie.
I am able to monitor most bands with below par performance (shortwave & ham below par, 800 to 900 mhz a joke.)

I just ordered a Diamond RH77CA hoping it will improve shortwave and 800 - 900 mhz performance. Woudn't take much over the stock duck. I am considering ordering The Miracle Ducker IL as sort of a power/signal booster for the Diamond. Anybody have any experience with that and is it worth ordering? An outdoor antenna is not in the cards. Is this a decent portable solution for my Yaesu? What antennas are others using on their handheld rigs?

 

[poppafred]

Welcome to our addiction!

I have been dinking around with handheld scanners since back in the 80's. With the appearance of 800mHz trunking, it changed all the antenna rules.

When I first got my Pro-197, I tried every combination I could think of, extendable whips, rubber duckies, combos using 2 antennas on a BNC "T", trying to improve my 800 reception without loosing the lower bands. I had settled on a cell antenna with a BNC adapter and an extendable whip with an elbow working off a "T" on the radio.

That is, until last Saturday...

I ordered the GRE800 duckie antenna from Scanner Master last week and it arrived Sat morning. Since I was heading out and already had my new PSR-500 with me, I ripped the package open and stuck it on the radio.

"Wow" doesn't even come close!

During the day, the PSR-500 sit in the bedroom unless I am going out. The volume is generally loud enough that I can hear traffic on it from the living room, where the Pro-197 resides on an end table. The handheld locks onto a digital trunking signal several seconds before the base unit locks onto the same signal!

I just wish I had found the GRE800 duck a long time ago.

I have no experience with the RH77CA, so I cannot give an opinion. Rich Wells, N2MCA, did an excellent review of handheld scanner antennas. He did not have the facilities to do a strictly technical comparison but his methodology seems sound and his results are believable. You can see the review at: Strong Signals - Handheld Antennas Review

Again, welcome to the hobby and welcome to Radio Reference!

 

[mikey224]

On my 396T I use a Comet SMA501 "Miracle Baby" Works very well and is only 2" For 800mhz I use a Comtelco 800 1/4 wave PEXC806-SM Works Excellent. I did have a Maldol MH-255, I was not happy with, Sold it and purchased the Comet. I highly recommend the Comtelco for 800mhz.

 

[nycap]

Comet SMA501 "Miracle Baby"

What is the Frequency range of this antenna?

 

[mikey224]

Comet SMA501, As per the manufacturer:

Dual-band 2M/70cm HT Antenna.
Surprising performance in a small package.
Extended receive range: 118-160MHz, 250-290MHz,
360-390MHz, 420-470MHz, 820-960MHz, 1260-1300MHz
Gain & Wave: 0dBi 1/4 wave
Max Power: 10 watts
Length: 1.75”
Connector: SMA, hard plastic radome

Do a search, it's available on many sites....

 

[trap5858]

I have used the Miracle Ducker with the diamond rh 77ca and found it to be a good match. I used it on an Icom R-20, My only complaint was it added so much bulk to the radio that the combination made it difficult to hold up and there was always the danger of damaging the BNC connector.

 

[nycap]

yeah i need the 160 to 174 406 to 420 bands. Ive been seriously considering the optoelctronics DB32 but im not ready to risk $50 if it sucks. Does anyone know if its any good? I mean I would buy it even if it is marginally better than the antenna that came with my 396t.

 

[IC301]

Hi all. I'm new to the scanning hobby and would love to hear any suggestions on how to improve handheld radio reception or what others are using. I have a Yaesu RX-3r (export version) with a stock rubber duckie.
...

Try Google. There are a dozen pages of opinions given by owners of the Radio here: Yaesu VX-3R Product Reviews

 

[joetnymedic]

not to start any crap, but you know that gre 800 antenna is the same exact thing as the rs 800 antenna right? gre makes it and radio shack slapped there logo on it. doesnt matter which of the two you have. I bought the radio shack version and I love it. Just wasn't sure if you knew that they were in fact the same antenna. As for a good multiband antenna, get ahold of n1sqb on the boards. I've seen some of the ones he has in action and they are great.