I don't want to saturate this forum with the same threads but I have a couple questions. I have a scantenna and I live in a 3rd floor apt. Of course, I'm not allowed to place the scantenna outside so I'm trying to find a good spot inside. I've cut about 3" off each end of the antenna so to fit vertically inside. I placed it in a window with the mast end screwed into the 4" inches of the inset window. I have the front facing in towards my room, not facing outwards as I have no way to mount it facing that way. Will this cause a problem in reception?? Should I try to figure a way to put it in the middle of the window (4ft wide window)? Also, I notice that I'm not receiving a PS freq. that is about 5 miles away (small output, 75watts) with it set up like this but w/ a rs800mhz antenna it comes in fine in the same spot. Why would this be? Would it make a difference if I could somehow ground the antenna? Would this create better reception by grounding and if it would, how could I go about doing so? And last, I have a 5' run of rg6/u coaxial, should I get a better coaxial cable to also improve reception? I'm using a pro97 w/ this setup. Thanks for any helpful reply!!!!!
Scantenna in apt.
- Thread starter scanrrman
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The freqs. I'm trying to pick up range between 42mhz, 155-159mhz, 160-161mhz, and 453mhz just to clarify. And all within 35 miles. Can pick them up pretty well w/ rs800mhz antenna but trying to make good use out of the scantenna that's been sittin in the closet for a year. Scantenna should work better than the 800mhz duck, right?
That's a pretty short run of coax so I would cross that out. And you have the right balun and everything for the scantenna?
You could always just unscrew it and turn it around just leaning against the wall to see if it improves your reception or not. Did you cut 3" off all ends? That's 6" total from the over all length right? That might have changed the antenna a lot from where it was centered at.
Have you ever tried using a 5/8 wave high band antenna? It'll solve your VHF and low band, and depending on how close the UHF is, it'll work. Even a 1/4 wave on VHF is close to a half wave on UHF, albeit not so good for low band, just a thought.
You could always just unscrew it and turn it around just leaning against the wall to see if it improves your reception or not. Did you cut 3" off all ends? That's 6" total from the over all length right? That might have changed the antenna a lot from where it was centered at.
Have you ever tried using a 5/8 wave high band antenna? It'll solve your VHF and low band, and depending on how close the UHF is, it'll work. Even a 1/4 wave on VHF is close to a half wave on UHF, albeit not so good for low band, just a thought.
dbox1
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scanrrman said:
I have a PRO-2055 on a ST2, (scantenna) and is outside 20 foot above ground. Coax is Belden 1189A RG6 @ 100' long. 800mhz is very good on this setup and I can get 50 miles plus in that band. What I have found though, is that FM is clearly saturating the front end of the receiver, as well as the 150~170mhz range. In the channels in the 150~170mhz range, I have to select "ATT" for those channels in that range, but I leave the rest in "att." (I do not use global ATG in other words) I have no filters on this rig at this time, but will more than likely seek a FM trap, since I listen to air traffic. The greatest offenders in my area is channel 14 UHF and FM. Your feeding RG6 is fine as long as you have a good quality cable. Use a good quality 300/75 (4:1) balun. Concerning grounding your antenna, inside doesn't pose the lightning risk as it would outside. If you feel the need to ground the stub shaft used for mounting, you can ground it by using a 2 inch long machine screw, with a wire attached, (put an eyelet on the wire and use a nut to hold it tight against the machine head of the screw) and insert it into the grounding hole in one of your electrical outlets, and attach the other end of your grounding wire to the stub shaft.
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DPD1
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Trying to predict what an antenna will do indoors is virtually impossible. You're getting mainly reflected signals... That means that there's no rhyme or reason as to what comes in well and what doesn't. Being by a window isn't always going to be the best location. Sometimes a spot where you least expect will be best. You also aren't going to get even reception across bands, because it's not in free space, and the stuff that's in the way will attenuate certain frequencies and not others... The higher 800-900 type stuff is especially affected. It's no different than trying to get cell phone reception indoors... Move 10 feet and it can go from nothing to perfect. Sometimes even turning an antenna sidewise can make things better indoors, which it normally wouldn't outdoors. That's why they use to have the rabbit ears be able to move in all directions on TVs, because the signals reflect all over the place indoors.
Wherever you hear it work best is where it will work best. Having an antenna that can move around easily is really the best thing to have... That trumps complexity for indoor use.
Dave
http://www.dpdproductions.com
- Custom Scanner, Aviation, MURS, GMRS, Marine & Ham Antennas -
Wherever you hear it work best is where it will work best. Having an antenna that can move around easily is really the best thing to have... That trumps complexity for indoor use.
Dave
http://www.dpdproductions.com
- Custom Scanner, Aviation, MURS, GMRS, Marine & Ham Antennas -
I cut 3" off each of the longest elements. 6" total. To fit the 8ft. ceiling vertically. My fiance is a little iffy about me putting it anywhere. I'm just trying to make good use of it since it doesn't do anything at all sitting in the closet. I figured it would be better than a rubber duck, shouldn't it? The balun is the OE that came with it if a balun is the piece that has two crimped connectors that are screwed onto the antenna and the other end attaches to the coax.
Another thought--- I thought someone said on here at one time that there's a coax you can get that's very slim/flat like a telephone cord or similiar? Is this correct and if so would it be good enough that I could just lean the antenna up on the deck and secure it and run that line in through the sliding glass door because I'm unable to do so with the round thick coax of the rg6 and can't drill any holes in the wall.
Another thought--- I thought someone said on here at one time that there's a coax you can get that's very slim/flat like a telephone cord or similiar? Is this correct and if so would it be good enough that I could just lean the antenna up on the deck and secure it and run that line in through the sliding glass door because I'm unable to do so with the round thick coax of the rg6 and can't drill any holes in the wall.
Hi Scan and all,
You've already ruined it's VHF Lo Band capability by retuning it up into the 6M ham band. Forget about putting ANY coax through a sliding glass door, it's supposed to fit in the channel to seat the gasket and provide a weather tight seal. Now buy yourself another Scantenna and some nice RG-8U polyfoam coax and lean it behind a drapery or something. It doesn't have to be perfectly vertical, resonance on the band(s) you listen to is far more important.
"...and can't drill any holes in the wall."
A 9/16ths wood bit works wonders but if it's concrete a hammer drill is better. You'd be surprised at where I drilled holes and got away with it, just be creative and plug them before you leave. If you're not that creative blame it on the mice. (I did that once too!)
You've already ruined it's VHF Lo Band capability by retuning it up into the 6M ham band. Forget about putting ANY coax through a sliding glass door, it's supposed to fit in the channel to seat the gasket and provide a weather tight seal. Now buy yourself another Scantenna and some nice RG-8U polyfoam coax and lean it behind a drapery or something. It doesn't have to be perfectly vertical, resonance on the band(s) you listen to is far more important.
"...and can't drill any holes in the wall."
A 9/16ths wood bit works wonders but if it's concrete a hammer drill is better. You'd be surprised at where I drilled holes and got away with it, just be creative and plug them before you leave. If you're not that creative blame it on the mice. (I did that once too!)
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