Yagi for 470-490 mhz scanning

[mainetrunk]

Except for the antenna farm, I can't find a yagi that goes from 470-490 mhz.. I have alot in that range I wanna hear better than splitting off a skyband antenna..
Question - will the yagi"s I see on Amazon that are rated 400-470 give a good signal from 470-490??
Fyi- I don't wanna pay more than 60 bux .. It's to receive, not transmit..
Thanks

 

[prcguy]

Check eBay, they show up here and there sometimes cheap as they are not as useful as other UHF ranges.

 

[pro106import]

I was lucky a while back I caught a surplus sale of Channel Master "Channel 14" TV UHF yagis. They are cut perfect for 470 mhz. I just had to drill a couple of holes and reposition the mount for vertical polarization. Got 4 of them for 15 bucks each from RF Parts in Calif. So keep your eye out for UHF TV yagis.
It's the bottom antenna in the photo.

 

[Ubbe]

The lowest UHF channel for TV are 475MHz so a TV antenna for UHF will work. The lower the frequency in a TV antenna 470-700MHz the lower the gain so look out for that.

/Ubbe

 

[prcguy]

Yes, however a broad band TV antenna is usually a log periodic and only a small part of the antenna will be active within the needed range. The TV antenna will be larger but with less gain than a 470-470MHz specific Yagi.

The lowest UHF channel for TV are 475MHz so a TV antenna for UHF will work. The lower the frequency in a TV antenna 470-700MHz the lower the gain so look out for that.

/Ubbe

 

[Ubbe]

Most TV antennas I have seen are not log periodic as those cost more to produce. They use a single boom and all elements except the dipole are grounded to the boom. But the standard broadband yagi works in the same way, that the end use shorter elements and the distance between them are tuned to the highest frequencies and when going nearer to the dipole it is more tuned to the lower band. The most efficient yagi for the size are a narrow band one that covers just a couple of the TV channels. But TV antennas doesn't cost much so you can probably also just cut the boom to almost half length if you don't need the 600-700MHz range.

/Ubbe

 

[prcguy]

Or the OP could just buy this and be done. eBay to the rescue again. Cushcraft PC477N Antenna 7 element 470-490 mhz | eBay

Most TV antennas I have seen are not log periodic as those cost more to produce. They use a single boom and all elements except the dipole are grounded to the boom. But the standard broadband yagi works in the same way, that the end use shorter elements and the distance between them are tuned to the highest frequencies and when going nearer to the dipole it is more tuned to the lower band. The most efficient yagi for the size are a narrow band one that covers just a couple of the TV channels. But TV antennas doesn't cost much so you can probably also just cut the boom to almost half length if you don't need the 600-700MHz range.

/Ubbe

 

[mainetrunk]

To be honest, I'm looking to SCAN Boston, and surrounding areas. 450--485 mhz.
Technically, I am less than 50 miles from there. They're scratchy at best during the day, so why not try a yagi? The Cushcraft PC477N Antenna 7 element 470-490 mhz antenna has no reviews, or videos.. I'd rather go with a 50 dollar -ish antenna to start..
Currently I get 1/2 of Essex county thru the skyband antenna, but always room for improved signal..
Thanks guys..

 

[prcguy]

What do you mean it doesn't have any reviews? Its a very good well known commercial US mfr and its an excellent product. Probably light years above the foreign made stuff on Amazon. With 7 elements it would be in the 10dBd gain range and I've owned many identical versions in different frequency ranges. You can't believe any gain figures on Chinese antennas off Amazon.

You want to spend $50 and this antenna $43.98 including shipping and they will take offers for less.

To be honest, I'm looking to SCAN Boston, and surrounding areas. 450--485 mhz.
Technically, I am less than 50 miles from there. They're scratchy at best during the day, so why not try a yagi? The Cushcraft PC477N Antenna 7 element 470-490 mhz antenna has no reviews, or videos.. I'd rather go with a 50 dollar -ish antenna to start..
Currently I get 1/2 of Essex county thru the skyband antenna, but always room for improved signal..
Thanks guys..

 

[mainetrunk]

Hmmmm, good point

 

[TrainsOfThought]

Cushcraft is an outstanding manufacture...I owned one of their Ringo Rangers for many years w/out a problem. Sounds like prcguy has your answer; he was super helpful suggestion for MY yagi research. Hope this project worked out for you.

 

[mainetrunk]

I got the 5 element yahoo 400-470 mhz, assembly required.. It's doing perfect! I'm getting 1/2 of Essex county perfect, and during the day Boston is scratchy. Night time brings a great signal... It's foggy at the moment, and Boston is coming in pretty good.. Now I need a 2nd 1 for the fire dispatch channel..
thanks guys, much appreciated

https://www.amazon.com/HYS-Antenna-Elements-Motorola-Repeater/dp/B083GG3ZQ6/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=yagi&qid=1663081659&sr=8-8

 

[wtp]

get another and double stack them ?

 

[mainetrunk]

Very good 👍possibilities. 🔨🔧🔩

 

[TrainsOfThought]

Beware of antennas that marketers only advertise in "dBi"....it's a phony/misleading gain number. You're not getting 9 dB of gain; really closer to 6. IMHO you'd been better off with the 7 element option (vs 5 elements), American made at half the (*bay) price. But, if you like what you got, good luck to ya!

 

[KMG54]

The lowest UHF channel for TV are 475MHz so a TV antenna for UHF will work. The lower the frequency in a TV antenna 470-700MHz the lower the gain so look out for that.

/Ubbe

Although I agree with the TV antenna approach and flipping it, still plenty of VHF low here for TV I have a broadcast channel 2 here. Again a specific antenna will work better than a wideband, and yes we still have wideband here.

 

[RU55]

You might consider making one. 1/2 in PVC for the boom and welding rod for the elements.

cheapyagi.pdf

 

[mainetrunk]

You might consider making one. 1/2 in PVC for the boom and welding rod for the elements.

cheapyagi.pdf

😂😂, been there, done that. That's why I bought 1.

 

[RU55]

OK. I just wanted to point it out, because making your own antenna is usually the least expensive.

 

[RidingDownUnder]

In Australia we have a UHF CB band on 476.425-477.400MHz. RFI makes commercial grade antennas for this band. The make yagis which will cover 470-490 with excellent SWR. All the commercial radio companies use these antennas but unfortunately for you thejy are in Australia. Have a look on there website.

Antenna Type: Directional-Yagis, Frequency Range [MHz]: 470-~-490

<meta name="description" content="Find out more about RFI Technology Solutions' PMR and LMR antennas for efficient and reliable communication in highly corrosive environments.">

www.rfi.com.au

Cheers.