Help buying my first external scanner antenna

[KC9VZV]

Well, I've never purchased an external antenna for my scanner before, and I need some advice. The one I think I'm going to purchase is the Centerfire Deluxe Discone Antenna from Amazon. It says it "uses any 50 or 75 ohm coax with a standard PL259 connector (CB type)" (according to the Centerfire Antenna website). So, my question is how can I connect this to my handheld Uniden BC346XT? Is that even possible?


Link to Amazon: Amazon.com: Centerfire Deluxe Discone Antenna: Electronics

Link to Centerfire Antenna: CENTERFIRE Deluxe Discone Scanner Antenna

Thank you very much in advance!

 

[WA1ATA]

The simplest way is to buy a coax cable with PL259 on both ends, and also a short adaptor cable with sma male on one end and SO259 female on the other end. See Comet HS05 Comet HS10 Amateur HT Antenna Adapter

You could also just buy an sma to PL259 adaptor, but connecting the coax directly to the adaptor screwed onto the top of your handheld would put a lot of stress on the connector, possibly breaking it.

 

[Gator596]

I just did this myself with a very similar scanner.
Here is the thumbnail sketch of what you need to do;
Determine what frequencies you want to listen to.
Determine which coax cable which will give you the least amount of signal loss for that range of frequencies in the LENGTH of coax you need to go from your antenna to your scanner.
Purchase the length of cable either with the connectors already attatched (a pre-made cable) or do it yourself (this takes special tools and knowledge)
OR
G with the best and buy LMR-400 coax in a pre-made length.
If your scanner has an SMA antenna attachment (threaded), you will want to get an adapter so it will take a BNC connection.
Good luck!

 

[KC9VZV]

Thank you to both of you. I think this is all the info I will need. I will post a reply if I have any more problems, but for now, thank you very much.

 

[CoolCat]

It looks like a decent antenna (it is probably not the best for the 800MHz range, but should still outperform the rubber duck antenna on the 346XT anyways).

I am curious why you want to buy it from Amazon though? Through Amazon it will cost you $38.95 + $5.49s/h ($44.44 total); if you buy it directly from Centerfire, it will cost you $39.95 total (free "priority" shipping). I would just order it directly from Centerfire and save a few bucks (no need to give Amazon extra money just to take the order).

 

[KC9VZV]

CoolCat - The only reason I am ordering it from Amazon is that I got a $20 Amazon gift card for the holidays last year and I need to find something to spend it on. Thank you for mentioning that, though. I actually may buy the antenna from Centerfire's site and spend my gift card on another scanner or something. Thanks!

 

[cgriggs]

Amazon.com: SCANNER ANT-BASE 30-1300MHZ 50'RG6 15ELM: Electronics

ANTENNACRAFT ST-2, it comes with 50' of coax. I've had one of these for a while, does great on a scanner.

 

[KC9VZV]

Corey-
Thank you! I will probably get that one instead.
Now, how should I mount it because I don't have a pole or anything of that nature to use. I would like to put it outside my bedroom window which is on the second floor. Any suggestions? Also, just to confirm, I would still need to get an adapter to attach it to my BC346XT, correct?
Thanks again!

 

[Gator596]

I don't have any suggestions about mounting the antenna as mine went on a TV tower that was no longer in use. You will want to get it as high as possible though. Be carefull around power lines so you dont get zapped.
As for the adaptor - since your scanner is a portable, I predict you will also be taking it around town in addition to monitoring from home. In that case you will want to get an adaptor that goes from the SMA antenna mount on your scanner to a BNC connector. BNC is probably what comes with your cable anyway. This is really the best set up because constant attatching/un-attatching of SMAs shortens their life and reduces your antennas effeciency. You can see one here Uniden Bearcat BC346XT Police Scanner Radio in the "Whats in the Box" section, but the picture is upside down!
Good luck!

 

[mike_s104]

Corey-
Thank you! I will probably get that one instead.
Now, how should I mount it because I don't have a pole or anything of that nature to use. I would like to put it outside my bedroom window which is on the second floor. Any suggestions? Also, just to confirm, I would still need to get an adapter to attach it to my BC346XT, correct?
Thanks again!

I have the ST-2 and it's great. Along with the 50' of coax, an F to BNC adapter was included. You can then use the BNC to SMA adapter your scanner came with.

If you don't want to install a huge mast, you could try a J-mount. Then, run the coax through the window, you might need to drill a small hole to get the coax through. Or, since the ST-2 uses a 300 ohm connector on the antenna itself (comes with a 300 - 50/75 ohm adapter), get enough 300 ohm ladder line (might be able to find it locally and save shipping costs) to get into the house through the window and the window might be able to close without any drilling then use the adapter inside and run a short RG6 to the scanner. They do make units that you can mount in the window with adapters on both sides that will allow you to feed the antenna(s) to the inside, but they'll cost more than the antennas you're look at buying. You might be able to make your own too. http://forums.radioreference.com/antennas-coax-forum/103751-how-get-coax-inside-w-o-drilling.html

Since it's a handheld and you'll probably take it with you (meaning it won't be connected to the antenna when you're not home), you probably won't have an issue with grounding unless you listen to it during a thunderstorm. If it were me, I'd fine some way to ground it anyway.

 

[KC9VZV]

I have the ST-2 and it's great. Along with the 50' of coax, an F to BNC adapter was included. You can then use the BNC to SMA adapter your scanner came with.

If you don't want to install a huge mast, you could try a J-mount. Then, run the coax through the window, you might need to drill a small hole to get the coax through. Or, since the ST-2 uses a 300 ohm connector on the antenna itself (comes with a 300 - 50/75 ohm adapter), get enough 300 ohm ladder line (might be able to find it locally and save shipping costs) to get into the house through the window and the window might be able to close without any drilling then use the adapter inside and run a short RG6 to the scanner. They do make units that you can mount in the window with adapters on both sides that will allow you to feed the antenna(s) to the inside, but they'll cost more than the antennas you're look at buying. You might be able to make your own too. http://forums.radioreference.com/antennas-coax-forum/103751-how-get-coax-inside-w-o-drilling.html

Since it's a handheld and you'll probably take it with you (meaning it won't be connected to the antenna when you're not home), you probably won't have an issue with grounding unless you listen to it during a thunderstorm. If it were me, I'd fine some way to ground it anyway.

Mike-

Thanks! I actually have been wanting a desktop/base scanner for a while, so I think I will get one of those and then I don't have to worry about attaching and unhooking the different antennas from my handheld. What you are saying makes a lot of sense (and I am proud that I could understand it because I have virtually no experience with putting up antennas and electrical stuff in general). I think I will have a friend help me ground it because I probably will be listening during a thunderstorm. In regards to that link of how to get the coax cable in without drilling, unless I am missing something, it doesn't have a good answer without running the cable all over the place. I am planning to put this right outside my bedroom window and I would like to just run it directly into my bedroom, without going to the first floor or through the attic, etc.
Let me know if you have any other ideas, and I very much appreciate your advice!

 

[cgriggs]

The scanner should have come with a sma to bnc adapter. When I bought this antenna it came with the bnc connector on one end. For a vehicle antenna, I have the sma $12 antenna at the top, works great! Tower Electronics Online Wholesale Catalog - Page Six

 

[mike_s104]

Mike-

Thanks! I actually have been wanting a desktop/base scanner for a while, so I think I will get one of those and then I don't have to worry about attaching and unhooking the different antennas from my handheld. What you are saying makes a lot of sense (and I am proud that I could understand it because I have virtually no experience with putting up antennas and electrical stuff in general). I think I will have a friend help me ground it because I probably will be listening during a thunderstorm. In regards to that link of how to get the coax cable in without drilling, unless I am missing something, it doesn't have a good answer without running the cable all over the place. I am planning to put this right outside my bedroom window and I would like to just run it directly into my bedroom, without going to the first floor or through the attic, etc.
Let me know if you have any other ideas, and I very much appreciate your advice!

You're welcome. Another idea would be to get a mag mount antenna and use something metal inside your bedroom as a ground-plane like a metal filing cabinet, coffee can or a piece of metal from Lowe's or The Home Depot. It would not be a good as the outside antenna but would be a lot better then the one that came with the scanner.

The original setup you mentioned will run about $100 after all is said and done. Also, the ST-2 is HUGE, 8.5' tall. I found cheaper here, AntennaCraft ST2 Scanner Antenna Kit 50" FT Cable Base Scanner Antenna 15 Element Outdoor Radio Signal Rooftop Local Off-Air Digital Police Band Reception Aerial, Part # ST-2: Oak Entertainment Centers and Home Office Furniture, TV Antennas, Audio/Vi

What band or freqs are you trying to receive? We might be able to point you to a specific antenna once we know.

 

[KC9VZV]

You're welcome. Another idea would be to get a mag mount antenna and use something metal inside your bedroom as a ground-plane like a metal filing cabinet, coffee can or a piece of metal from Lowe's or The Home Depot. It would not be a good as the outside antenna but would be a lot better then the one that came with the scanner.

The original setup you mentioned will run about $100 after all is said and done. Also, the ST-2 is HUGE, 8.5' tall. I found cheaper here, AntennaCraft ST2 Scanner Antenna Kit 50" FT Cable Base Scanner Antenna 15 Element Outdoor Radio Signal Rooftop Local Off-Air Digital Police Band Reception Aerial, Part # ST-2: Oak Entertainment Centers and Home Office Furniture, TV Antennas, Audio/Vi

What band or freqs are you trying to receive? We might be able to point you to a specific antenna once we know.

Thanks again Mike! I think you may be right that a mag mount antenna would work fine for now. I already have my CB antenna set up the exact same way you are saying, with a metal bucket underneath, but that is CB, and I actually never use it.... As for the frequencies I am trying to get, they cover a good portion of all over VHF and UHF. My local PD uses 470.xxx, but my local FD and sheriff use 158.xxx/159.xxx. (those are just a few examples, my area is mostly VHF, but, like I said before, my local PD is UHF...) I would like the best coverage possible, though, because once I get this antenna I hope to get things even further out that are on even different band splits (not sure exactly where, but they may even consist of 800 Mhz Trunking). If you want to look up my county in the RR DB to get a better idea of the frequencies for my area, I am in Kane Co., IL.

Once again, thank you very much for all your help!!! (to everyone that replied, but especially Mike)

 

[mike_s104]

Thanks again Mike! I think you may be right that a mag mount antenna would work fine for now. I already have my CB antenna set up the exact same way you are saying, with a metal bucket underneath, but that is CB, and I actually never use it.... As for the frequencies I am trying to get, they cover a good portion of all over VHF and UHF. My local PD uses 470.xxx, but my local FD and sheriff use 158.xxx/159.xxx. (those are just a few examples, my area is mostly VHF, but, like I said before, my local PD is UHF...) I would like the best coverage possible, though, because once I get this antenna I hope to get things even further out that are on even different band splits (not sure exactly where, but they may even consist of 800 Mhz Trunking). If you want to look up my county in the RR DB to get a better idea of the frequencies for my area, I am in Kane Co., IL.

Once again, thank you very much for all your help!!! (to everyone that replied, but especially Mike)

Holy crap!! I helped someone!

Looks like you're right, most are UHF and VHF for your county with the state system being 800/700MHz.

I know there are some that will disagree with me on this, but why not go to Radio Shack and get a SO-239 to BNC (or whatever your scanner uses) and at least try out the CB antenna you're not using to see if it improves your reception? If it doesn't, you're only out a few dollars and I'm sure you'll use that adapter later on for something. Then you can use the Amazon card for something else.

 

[KC9VZV]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8J2 Safari/6533.18.5)

Haha! Yes, you did help me!

Now, if I were to do what you are saying and go to Radio Shack and get an adapter to use my CB antenna with my scanner, unless I am wrong (I actually wouldn't be surprised...), that antenna is only tuned to work on the CB frequencies, and therefore wouldn't let me receive anything other than CB frequencies on my scanner. Again, keep in mind that I am probably wrong here and just not understanding what you are suggesting...
Thanks again, Mike!

 

[mike_s104]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_3_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8J2 Safari/6533.18.5)

Haha! Yes, you did help me!

Now, if I were to do what you are saying and go to Radio Shack and get an adapter to use my CB antenna with my scanner, unless I am wrong (I actually wouldn't be surprised...), that antenna is only tuned to work on the CB frequencies, and therefore wouldn't let me receive anything other than CB frequencies on my scanner. Again, keep in mind that I am probably wrong here and just not understanding what you are suggesting...
Thanks again, Mike!

Yes, the antenna is tuned (or at least should be) for the CB band, BUT it may work well for receive for what you want to hear. I don't think it'll work well for 800MHz, but the for the others you might be surprised. Not going to hurt anything to try.

 

[KC9VZV]

Yes, the antenna is tuned (or at least should be) for the CB band, BUT it may work well for receive for what you want to hear. I don't think it'll work well for 800MHz, but the for the others you might be surprised. Not going to hurt anything to try.

I had no idea that that even might work! Thanks! I will try that ASAP!

 

[mike_s104]

I had no idea that that even might work! Thanks! I will try that ASAP!

Let me know how it works.

 

[KC9VZV]

Let me know how it works.

Alright.... So far the closest Radio Shack to me said they don't have it, and the only search result that I could find for this on their website is 1.64-Ft. (0.5M) SMA Female to SO239 Female RG-316 Cable - RadioShack.com which is $18. Any idea where I could either get this cheaper or get a different one (still cheaper)?