Understanding different scanner antennas.

[tormedic]

Trying to understand what. Is a good measurement in regards to. Identifying what is a better antenna for a portable scanner.

I currently have an SDS 100. It's new. Came with the stock antenna. I'm trying to see. If a. Different antenna might work better.

I currently listen to emergency services. Most of its trunk. Some of it is analog. Hard to believe these days, but there is still services out there that are using analogue services.

So clearly a 7 to 800 band antenna. Only. May not be my best option.

So. When looking at different antennas. Especially the multi frequency antennas or multi band antennas. How do I identify which antenna it's actually the better antenna? I understand there is something called RSSI as well as decibels. Can someone help me understand what those values? Actually truly mean. In relationship to. Picking one antenna. Over another.

Thanks for your help Steve.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

So. When looking at different antennas. Especially the multi frequency antennas or multi band antennas. How do I identify which antenna it's actually the better antenna?

Could you let us know specific make/model antennas you're deciding over so we can make an informed recommendation for you? With that said I use the Comet SMA-W100RX with my SDS100. Works great across all bands. Fully collapsible too with elbow joints to fold alongside of radio without the need to remove antenna for storage

 

[ladn]

I currently listen to emergency services. Most of its trunk. Some of it is analog. Hard to believe these days, but there is still services out there that are using analogue services.

Antenna design is based on frequency, not waveform (modulation). The antenna doesn't care if you are receiving AM, FM, digital or spread spectrum. All it cares about is frequency.

Stock antennas for multiband scanners, especially ones that have very broad frequency coverage, are always a compromise. What specific bands/frequency ranges are you interested in? Know, too, that any antenna will receive any frequency (to some degree). For instance, an antenna designed for 800 MHz will receive 39 MHz, but not very efficiently so it would take a lot of 39 MHz signal strength of create a readable transmission.

 

[tormedic]

mostly listen to emergency services practically thats all i listen to, once in a while (air)