I am just wondering what the best Yagi or Directional antenna would be for an SDS200? Is there something small enough that it can fit in my attic and also cover VHF all the up to 900?
Thank you
Thank you
Best Yagi/Directional Antenna for SDS200
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I have a Wilson Electronics 700/800/900 MHz yagi with an N connector and LMR400, it works quite well for 800 MHz sites that come in kinda weak around my house. I don't think anyone makes a "all band" Yagi antenna, and if someone did make it I doubt you would actually want to buy it. What exactly are you trying to monitor?
In my experience Yagi antennas are best used for monitoring specific sites/repeaters which can't be easily monitored with an Omnidirectional antenna. They have a specific use case.
In my experience Yagi antennas are best used for monitoring specific sites/repeaters which can't be easily monitored with an Omnidirectional antenna. They have a specific use case.
I specifically would like to monitor VHF and 700/800
You will probably need separate antennas, Yagis are extremely picky
mmckenna
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For a bandspread like that, you would need either multiple Yagi antennas (one for each band, at least) or go with a log periodic antenna. The log periodic antenna will give you much more bandwidth with a bit less gain. The log periodic will also let you feed it with one feed line. If you do multiple Yagi antennas, you'll need a diplexer to combine them all back into one feed line.
This particular log periodic claims to cover around 100 MHz to 1300 MHz. I have never used it. They have another model that goes down to 50 MHz and up. You will want to position it vertically and they appear to have a kit to do that. Unknown if it will fit in your attic.
slicerwizard
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Yeppir - TV antenna like the one pictured will do the trick. Prob even fit in your attic. However, you'll want to turn it to be vertically oriented (long elements going up and down instead of side to side) to handle the vertical polarized signals you want to hear (which is virtually everything you can pick up with a scanner).
Interesting how something as simple as a TV antenna will do the trick. Does anyone think a discone would be a good option for me also?
mmckenna
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Maybe. Would be good for local stuff, but it's not going to help your specific situation for receiving a far off system. Discone antennas have zero gain and funky radiation patterns. Their beauty is that they are broad banded. That's pretty much where it stops.
Do you want only signals from one direction or from all around? Yagi's and Log Periodic are directional, they pretty much stink at signals "off center" from where it is aimed. Discones on the other hand don't care what direction the signal comes from, but doesn't amplify (gain) them very much.
So, which are you looking for?
I would like to pull in signals from all directions
slicerwizard
Member
Wut?
mmckenna
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OK, so it sounds like you want two antenna setups?
A Yagi/Log Periodic will be directional. That's great for pulling in systems from far away, like you mentioned in your first post.
But an omnidirectional probably isn't going to do that very well.
A good omnidirectional antenna can be a good addition. But you need to look at what bands you want to listen to.
A discone is a mediocre antenna at best. It's only upside is that it receives equally crappy across a wide slice of spectrum. It can be a good choice if you are near all the stuff you want to listen to, but isn't ideal for long distance stuff.
If you are out on the fringes, and really "reach out and touch someone", then you probably want to find a better multiband vertical, or use several vertical antennas to get the best signal you can.
A discone can be a great antenna if your needs fall in line with what it does. It can suck really bad if you are trying to do weak signal stuff.
I also was looking at the Diamond 220R today. Looks like a nice antenna and the smaller size is very appealing. I noticed it terminates to a PL259 Connector. I guess I need an Adapter for BNC?
mmckenna
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Don't do it.
Much better antennas out there. A shrunk down discone with a dual band whip on top. It's not going to do anything well.
The UHF connector on the bottom is designed for mobile mounting.
UHF connectors were never designed for anything above about 300MHz. They are essentially designed as a shielded banana plug (try it, a banana plug fits right in there…). UHF connectors were never designed to be used as a mobile antenna mount, or to support an antenna. All those add up to a big 'ol red flag.
A good antenna will have N connectors, at minimum. Hobby antennas have stuck with UHF connectors for some odd reason, probably so people with their ancient coax cable/CB radios don't have to mess with things. Again, a red flag.
If you are going to go with a discone, then get a full sized one and mount it on the roof. The Diamond 130N is a decent antenna for hobby use, and it has an N connector that will actually perform well at the upper reaches of the antennas designed coverage.
Discones are great for local use, but again, don't expect great performance from it.
You said you want the antenna in your attic, you want it to receive from all directions.
That says, unless you have a huge attic and a relatively high budget, you aren't going to be able to put in a stack of 6 to 8 directional antennas plus the needed couplings and so forth. Diplexers/Duplexers are more intended for antennas that are used for both transmitting and receivers.
A GOOD wideband Discone antenna with a TV type preamplifier that's line powered would, in my mind, be a better solution.
YMMV
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