Need some antenna suggestions. County is switching to digital

[m00ler03]

Hey all, I'm looking for some antenna suggestions. I'm a feed provider and the county that i provide is going to be switching to digital very soon so I'm not sure if my current antenna would be able to pick up the new system. I'm currently using a basic Tram mag mount antenna and some days the reception is not that great (im 25 miles away). I'll be purchasing a sds200 to go with the antenna. The scanner setup is in a metal building right now but I can put an antenna outside if needed, it wouldn't be very high though. Thanks

I need a vhf/uhf antenna

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

What's your budget? I've got one of these. Works great for VHF/UHF/700/800

 

[Enforcer52]

A metal building is not conducive to receiving radio transmissions. I have a metal roof and it kills everything around me except one tower that's only 2 miles away. Therefore I have outside antennas up around 30 feet.

I would extend your current antenna to the outside as high as possible and see it it does any better. If not then look at a better antenna like @Whiskey3JMC suggested.

 

[m00ler03]

What's your budget? I've got one of these. Works great for VHF/UHF/700/800

I don't really have a budget, I'll pay for whatever is going to work.

 

[mmckenna]

What is your current antenna?

If the agency in question is switching from analog to digital and keeping the same frequencies, you may not need to change antennas.

As stated, the metal building is blocking RF. Getting it outside would be critical. Try that with your current antenna before spending money on something else.

 

[m00ler03]

What is your current antenna?

If the agency in question is switching from analog to digital and keeping the same frequencies, you may not need to change antennas.

As stated, the metal building is blocking RF. Getting it outside would be critical. Try that with your current antenna before spending money on something else.

Current antenna is Tram 1185 mag mount

 

[mmckenna]

Current antenna is Tram 1185 mag mount

OK. That's a VHF/UHF antenna. Getting that outside may give you enough performance to get by. Inside the structure, it's going to have a hard time hearing the system.

Before buying anything else, just try putting it outside and see if there is an improvement. We can go from there….