NS9710
Member
Nobody I asked to date has been able to properly ID the antenna this guy is using on his SDS100, anyone with any clue around here?
Curious about antenna
- Thread starter NS9710
- Start date
Nobody I asked to date has been able to properly ID the antenna this guy is using on his SDS100, anyone with any clue around here?
I can't remember where I got it, but I have one, have had it for years. It's a 800 antenna and what I currently use on my SDS100. I'll see if I can jog my memory.
Found it...
SpectrumForce 700-800 MHz 2db Gain Portable Scanner Antenna with SMA Connector
SpectrumForce 700-800 MHz 2db Gain Portable Scanner Antenna with SMA Connector
www.scannermaster.com
NS9710
Member
I see it’s 800MHz, does it do ok outside of the 800MHz or is this a “one trick pony”?
Found it...
SpectrumForce 700-800 MHz 2db Gain Portable Scanner Antenna with SMA Connector
SpectrumForce 700-800 MHz 2db Gain Portable Scanner Antenna with SMA Connectorwww.scannermaster.com
I have this Spectrum Force SMA antenna also, I bought it at Scanner Master many many years ago, an OK performer, it does work on the SDS 100 but there is space around it so it's not going to provide any water resistance whatsoever.
Also used it on the 436. Just sits with many many others in Ziploc bags that I have.
As far as outside of 7-800 megahertz I was not impressed, so one trick pony is a good label for this antenna.
Also used it on the 436. Just sits with many many others in Ziploc bags that I have.
As far as outside of 7-800 megahertz I was not impressed, so one trick pony is a good label for this antenna.
NS9710
Member
I like the look of the antenna, but if it's just gonna do 7/800MHz and then give the finger to anything outside of that, I'm not gonna waste my money on a one band receiver, one trick pony when I have maybe 20 frequencies, and maybe one trunk system that I normally would likely get any reception on in said band. It also doesn't help I'm on fixed income, and have to maximize my return on investment.
It's designed for 7/800, so any performance outside of that band is incidental. That being said, I just tried mine on UHF and it performed quite well, VHF was less than stellar. But any random piece of metal in the air will work to some extent, it all depends on how strong the signal is.
I can understand your logic, I'm surprised you even found one available, I've had that antenna a long long time, I used it on the 436 so it's at least 10 years old.
The ramtronixs 7 - 800 MHz antenna that used to be the GRE made Radio Shack RS 800 is a better choice. It also works fairly decent on UHF, but not so much on VHF High, that's your better choice if you were to sacrifice VHF High for superior 7-800 reception.
REM makes it in BNC, SMA and SMA 100 which includes the water resistant ring for the SDS 100. The original Radio Shack RS 800 was BNC only.
NS9710
Member
Well as I said, I’m not looking for anything dedicated to 700/800MHz as I have very very little of that band in my area. I remember when RadioShack produced the original. The 842 will be my best option, as I’m more so looking at VHF/UHF dual band options, as most of the activity is on those bands, any other bands are either low activity, or very limited usage.
Yes the 842 has a good reputation, it doesn't have the O-ring option but who cares, it is a very nice fit. I was using it for a while and the wide coverage does have some sacrifice especially on 7-800 MHz but with a strong system, works just fine. Certainly better than the OG standard issue antenna.
Personally, I didn't use the "broomstick" for very long, very rigid, gets in the way of itself, and on the 436 and 100 it is very top heavy and just not a convenient antenna to use.
There are many options for a wide range antenna you can find on a simple Google search but I have settled an old antenna from my Ziploc bags that I have not seen for sale in a long time, I also purchased it at Scanner Master years ago but it's called, the Watson W-801.. I have the BNC version using the adapter for the 100. If you were to find the SMA version I'm not sure it would work with the SDS 100.
I listen to 7-800 simulcast phase ll systems, it's not as good as REM 7 - 800 MHz antenna but it's close. I live by the water and monitor VHF/UHF marine radio both conventional and digital at all times. For me it works pretty good,
Not a lot of UHF left but we do have repeaters used by police departments as a secondary car to car that is off the county system which is police encrypted by the way. Good results.
Why they can't be found anymore and not available for sale I don't know but I think it's a British company.
If you look it up, it's been around a long time and reviews are mixed like every antenna LOL, it really does work for me because it's very flexible and doesn't get in the way of itself like the 842 does. I got tired of getting jammed in the ribs😉.
