handheld antenna question

[delta_p]

I am a bit of newb to scanning and electronics, but I have an antenna question related to my BCD396T. I recently purchased two antenna, an RS800 and a Diamond SRH77CA. The RS800 greatly improved my trunked 800MHz reception and the Diamond greatly improved my VHF airport monitoring reception. But each doesn't do well at all at the other end of the band. I currently switch out the antenna depending on what I am listening to.

My question:
Is there any kind of a switching adapter that can screw into the SMA on the scanner and take both my RS800 and SRH77CA but somehow receive on one or the other depending on the frequencies or systems I am scanning (whether simultaneously or one-or-the-other)?

Thanks for any input,

PP

 

[br0adband]

There are such adapters/switches available, but what you'd be doing is decreasing the signal strength that eventually reaches the scanner itself - this is akin to shooting yourself in the foot.

For the most part, it takes what, a few seconds to replace antennas, for the overwhelming majority of us folks it's a non-issue. Adding more circuitry into the antenna path is only going to serve to reduce the quality of the signal the scanner gets and can lead to intermod, simple noise, static, decreased reception, missed calls, trunk tracking inaccuracy, dropped signals, etc.

You can do what you want, with a switchbox, the question is should you? In the long run the choice is yours, but the most basic answer is yes, it's entirely possible to do that, and easily with the right switchbox.

 

[delta_p]

Broadband thanks!
How do folks do it that have multiple antenna say in their back yard and running into their house? Do they just unscrew one cable and attach another to their units? Like changing atenna on the handheld. Or, is there some kind of a breakout box with a manual switch? I guess it's probably custom per the user desires. Anyway, thanks for the input.

PP

 

[Gooser]

Here ya go PP...

http://www.nimhbattery.com/switch1.htm

I had a bud that had a "A/B" switch setup to swap between his discone and dipole. He liked it, but I think, like BB said, anything you put between the antenna and the radio is just that; something in the way of the antenna and radio and that degrades the signal.

If ya go that route, get the best cable you can to help compensate.

 

[hoser147]

delta you can use a A/B switch for what you are talking about with the multi antenna. Its similar to the A-B switch you would use for your tv-vcr-dvd player is one way you can switch from one antenna to another without rehooking up anything. A position you have one coax and B you have another. There are also commercial antenna switches. Check out one of the online RF stores such as Universal Electronics...................Hoser

 

[n2mdk]

If you don't want to have to switch then a diplexer is the way to go, do a search on the site for diplexers. This site sells custom ones http://www.tinlee.com/Diplexers.php#Table: Standard models LH7 and Order Information

 

[KT4HX]

For my part, I am looking at using a duplexer in my truck, and using a dedicated 800 MHz antenna and the Larsen 2/70 NMO for VHF/UHF. I am looking at the Comet CF-4130B duplexer ($41.95 at R&L). That way I can have both antennas connected into my BCT-15 at one time and not have to do any swapping/switching. I believe this will work well for my scenario.

 

[delta_p]

Thanks a bunch for the input. I am looking at some of the stuff you mention. Everything looks pretty big to be convenient on a handheld without a cable to prevent stressing the connector on the scanner. I thought there might be a micro or ultrasmall version. Maybe something like a sma male-to-sma female Y adaptor with a switch in it. Something like the diamond switch but much smaller. It does seem easier and less complicated to simply unscrew the antenna and change out when needed.

PP