Any tips for mobile scanning reception?

[davidmc36]

Originally Posted by jajehalbig

....Aside from aesthetics, are there any reception advantages to a permenant mount versus a magnetic mount?....

I noticed a big improvement with the permanent mount vs mag mount. It has a real ground plane when it is properly mounted in a hole.

[fulfordr]

Got a question about mobile antenna connections. I have a Larsen mobile radio thru the glass antenna but it has a PL259 connection on the end of it. I used a Pl259 to BNC adapter to connect it to my 996XT.Would I get any better reception if I changed out the end and put a new BNC on the cable instead of going thru the adapter?

Thanks
Rich

[gonzalu]

It doesn't hurt but the loss from the adapter is minimal... unless you were looking for minimizing absolutely go for it. But it is really minor given the cable length.

[scottyhetzel]

Austin spectra is the best.... 4 band . The quality is amazing.. Mount it on the roof. You be so amazed how well it pulls in signals.

[jeatock]

Originally Posted by jajehalbig

Everyone has posted some really gret information. I'm now commited to ditching the window-mount antenna and getting a Larsen tri-band antenna. Aside from aesthetics, are there any reception advantages to a permenant mount versus a magnetic mount? Also, will the length of the coaxial cable impact reception? And finally, what about my BNC connection at the back of my BCD996XT? Will I need some kind of adapter?

Thanks!

Mag mounts are a pain, and will never even hold a candle to a good old-fashioned 3/4 hole mount. Don't get me started on glass mounts...

Having a direct BNC on the business end of the coax is handy- you can get straight or 90 degree versions to suit. You won't see any difference through an adapter, except for having a big chunk of metal on top of the radio. Keep enough coax plus one foot, but cut the rest off - DON'T wad it up and hide it!

[gonzalu]

While one can argue about the electrical performance of a mag mount vs. a hole mount, I have never had a good mag mount come lose at up to and over 100M/ph. Now, garages are a different story

[jajehalbig]

Originally Posted by jeatock

Mag mounts are a pain, and will never even hold a candle to a good old-fashioned 3/4 hole mount. Don't get me started on glass mounts...

Having a direct BNC on the business end of the coax is handy- you can get straight or 90 degree versions to suit. You won't see any difference through an adapter, except for having a big chunk of metal on top of the radio. Keep enough coax plus one foot, but cut the rest off - DON'T wad it up and hide it!

Today I installed my newly purchased Larsen permanent mount triband antenna, running through an SMA to BNC cable from cheapham.com

I have immediately noticed double or triple the reception quality. And it's thank to this forum and the references provided by its users that made it possible. Thanks to every one.