scanning without an antenna

[chillim]

Okay, so I read all the prior relevant posts, like all newbies are supposed to, and still could not find the answer.

I am thinking about getting a Uniden digital scanner. My problem is that I live in a small apt and my significant other won't agree to having an antenna ("eye sore") in this box we live in. What is the best option for someone like me? Portable or mobile? What model/brand? Is there a small, unobstrusive one I can use instead of the standard tall, thin one? Can I keep my scanner in my workroom/closet, which is a good distance from the window, and still get reception.

Thanks.

 

[hoser147]

As far as the work room it may work or may not, depends on other things in the room. You may want to try a small mobile antenna behind a curtain or blind in the room where it is hidden from view most of the time to keep the other half happy. Just an Idea that may help ya..............hoser

 

[blinddog50]

Location, location, location.
Where do you live?
What type of communication system does your area have?
How much do plan on spending for your radio antenna?
How significant is this other that you maybe you could find another that would support your hobby?

 

[LEH]

There are several options for antenna. All scanners (at least that I have purchased) come with an antenna of some sorts or another. How good they are is always a subject to debate.

If you are near a window, there is a suction cup antenna that is better than the stock. I have never used one, but I've heard some favorable (not great) reviews on them.

Now depending on the systems you are trying to listen to, the stock antenna will normally work fairly well. If you need to listen to VHF-Lo, then you and your SO may need to discuss some of the less obtrusive external antenna.

Again, using the stock antenna you should not have a problem receiving most signals inside your apartment, even well inside. Now there are things that may hurt your reception. Don't place the scanner next to RF producing devices (any electric or electronic device puts out some RF. TV's and monitors are good for this, so are power tools). If you are in a metal building, expect reception to be poor.

Basically, the antenna is one of the more important aspects of your scanner. Even the best scanner with a poor antenna won't work well.

You will need an antenna, scanning without one is like not having a scanner at all.

 

[N4DES]

And are you elevated above ground or do you live on the ground floor?

 

[hoser147]

As Lynn mentioned the suction cup mounts maybe another option, I use them for my nightstand scanners, they work fairly well and can also be outa sight outa mind..................

 

[Don_Burke]

Okay, so I read all the prior relevant posts, like all newbies are supposed to, and still could not find the answer.

I am thinking about getting a Uniden digital scanner. My problem is that I live in a small apt and my significant other won't agree to having an antenna ("eye sore") in this box we live in. What is the best option for someone like me? Portable or mobile? What model/brand? Is there a small, unobstrusive one I can use instead of the standard tall, thin one? Can I keep my scanner in my workroom/closet, which is a good distance from the window, and still get reception.

Thanks.

There are too many unknowns here.

Would it be possible for you to meet up with someone who has the model scanner you are thinking about so you can try it out at your place?

 

[N8IAA]

As was stated in a previous post, what systems do you plan on monitoring? Where are you (state, county, city)? Hard to answer questions without this knowledge. Antennas can be made to appear invisible, or less obrusive. Wait until your significant other starts to be interested in what is going on in the neighborhood. My wife and neighbors know that I monitor all kinds of situations in the county and surrounding areas. If something is going down, they call me to find out what it is.
Larry

 

[chillim]

Let's leave my sig other outa this. Who hasn't had to compromise for a relationship?

So here are the specs of my living arrangements. I live in San Diego near a major university and I actually live in a complex that houses a lot of these college folks. It's a tightly compacted living arrangement, so tight that I am afraid that my scanner will interfere with the 2 way radios of the building maintenance crew. The university, which owns a big chunk of land here, uses Motorola II trunk system. The city itself is heavily RCS with some talk groups communicating in digital.

BTW, thanks for all the helpful feedback and I will def. look into that suction cup antenna.

 

[eorange]

The Radio Shack 800 MHz antenna is small, cheap, and offers great performance on 800 MHz trunked systems, VHF, and UHF. It's an all-around good antenna:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...er/HAM&allCount=24&parentPage=family

(Also, I can pick up my local PD without any antenna. But that's not typical.)

 

[fineshot1]

It's a tightly compacted living arrangement, so tight that I am afraid that my scanner will interfere with the 2 way radios of the building maintenance crew. The university, which owns a big chunk of land here, uses Motorola II trunk system. The city itself is heavily RCS with some talk groups communicating in digital.

Your scanner will not interfere with the radio system - it does not transmit and the local oscillators within will most likely not radiate out far enough even if they were oscillating on the correct frequencies. That is a phoebia we can put to rest right now.

 

[WA1CRZ]

Would a new significant other be out of the question?

 

[N8IAA]

I am thinking about getting a Uniden digital scanner. My problem is that I live in a small apt and my significant other won't agree to having an antenna ("eye sore") in this box we live in. What is the best option for someone like me? Portable or mobile? What model/brand? Is there a small, unobstrusive one I can use instead of the standard tall, thin one? Can I keep my scanner in my workroom/closet, which is a good distance from the window, and still get reception.Thanks.

Now, knowing where you live, it's easier. Most of what you will be monitoring is trunked, with the occasional vhf lo-band for the CHP. If you have a metal shelf or file cabinet in your work room/closet a small dual band vhf/uhf magmount will suffice. There is a lot of systems to enjoy, Camp Pendleton, San Diego County, San Diego city, milair, USCG, etc.. An antenna that has a SMA connector on it will fit right in with the 396 Uniden handheld the Diamond dualband ht antenna with the SMA connector will do quite well.
I've been giving in for almost 32 years. Thank goodness my wife understands my obsession
Larry

 

[iMONITOR]

Okay, so I read all the prior relevant posts, like all newbies are supposed to, and still could not find the answer.

I am thinking about getting a Uniden digital scanner. My problem is that I live in a small apt and my significant other won't agree to having an antenna ("eye sore") in this box we live in. What is the best option for someone like me? Portable or mobile? What model/brand? Is there a small, unobstrusive one I can use instead of the standard tall, thin one? Can I keep my scanner in my workroom/closet, which is a good distance from the window, and still get reception.

Thanks.

Are you certain you will need a better antenna? I'm using a GRE PSR-500 hand-held scanner, using the stock rubber ducky antenna that came with it, sitting on my desk. I'm monitoring an 860MHz trunked P25 digital system, Mil-Air, etc, no problem!

 

[slicerwizard]

An antenna doesn't have to be visible. It can be made out of as little as a single strand of fine wire.

 

[emercer]

If you have a single-glazed window you can try a through-glass mount.

 

[loumaag]

Thread Moved

I have moved this to the antenna forum. At first I was none too clear that it belonged there, but by now it is obvious.