Radio Shack Pro-197

[mlairson]

The Pro-197 is an excellent scanner, however, please be aware that if you are using it in your house, or on your desk, the antenna that comes with it, probably will not give you much reception. You need to buy a mobile antenna with the BNC connect on the end of it and then after you connect it, put the antenna in the window. I did that and I receive ALL transmissions, believe me, this makes all the difference in the world. I'm here in Houston,Tx and the Police Dept just switched to a P25 Apco system, making our old scanners obsolete, so I had to buy a new one. Keep in mind that if you are monitoring any VHF channels, such as railroads, you will need, a separate antenna. I monitor railroads and have found out that I, in reality, need a separate scanner (or monitor) to do that, and then a separate scanner to monitor the new trunking system. A trunking antenna will pick up UHF fairly well, depending, but the Pro-197 is an excellent scanner, But without the above mentioned antenna, I doubt if hardly anyone will like it. Radio Shack has discontinued it because people don't know how to program it, and think the antenna that comes with it will recieve any frequency that you want to talk about, but I'm afraid that's not the case. But buying this mobile anteena which is just 10 or 20 dollars, cures the entire problem, beleive me.

 

[nanZor]

Much of that depends on where you are. Here in Los Angeles, the opposite may be true - a paperclip and heavy attenuation is needed for satisfactory reception.

But yes, for many depending on circumstances, improving the antenna is the first recommended step.

 

[AC2OY]

I saw a thread with a antenna magnet bottom and maybe 6 feet of coax cable but sadly I forgot in what thread it was in. I would try it because it looked like a really good antenna and it had many positive reviews.

 

[shew]

I have a 197 also location is also key...if i have it in the original part of the house with a tin roof above it .....reception sux....but i have it now in the add on part of the house..shingles roof...reception is great

 

[flythunderbird]

The Pro-197 is an excellent scanner, however, please be aware that if you are using it in your house, or on your desk, the antenna that comes with it, probably will not give you much reception. You need to buy a mobile antenna with the BNC connect on the end of it and then after you connect it, put the antenna in the window.

I built the OCFD in the wiki using 3/4" copper pipe and placed it next to a window ... it is day-and-night better than the antenna which came with my 197, and it pulls in from miles away, even being inside.