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| Uniden Scanners A forum for the discussion of all Uniden scanning radios and receivers. |
11-08-2012, 6:49 PM
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Any tips for mobile scanning reception?
I have a BCD996XT and I'm new to the scanning world. I have it mounted in my truck, and I just don't seem to get very good reception. Any suggestions or tips for getting the best reception? Thanks.
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11-08-2012, 7:13 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Daviess Co., KY
Posts: 228
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What kind of antenna are you using
Kevin Absher - HTC Inspire 4G
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11-08-2012, 8:03 PM
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The LEAST you could do for now unless you already did that, is to go into Radio Shack and get their Mobile Scanner Antenna ($39.99) and mount it to the very center of the roof of your car. Run the line to the BNC in the back of your radio...
Now, dumb question, what do you have programmed on your radio? Can you post your FreeSCAN file here so we can take a look?
__________________
Manny
BC296D, BC125AT, BCD996XT, HomePatrol, AOR8000, PCR1000, PRO-2042, OS-535
Icom IC-U16, IC-H16, Motorola MotoTRBO XPR7550
First Scanner: Realistic PRO-24
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11-08-2012, 8:07 PM
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My reception quality like tripled when I drilled a hole in the roof and put a proper antenna on.
__________________
No Bounce, No Play.
The one who dies with the most toys wins 
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11-09-2012, 5:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dixie729
What kind of antenna are you using
Kevin Absher - HTC Inspire 4G
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I have a Tram 1199 25MHz-1300MHz window mount antenna I got from Walmart. I've been looking online at scanner antennas, but I have no idea what might produce a better result. |
11-09-2012, 5:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gonzalu
The LEAST you could do for now unless you already did that, is to go into Radio Shack and get their Mobile Scanner Antenna ($39.99) and mount it to the very center of the roof of your car. Run the line to the BNC in the back of your radio...
Now, dumb question, what do you have programmed on your radio? Can you post your FreeSCAN file here so we can take a look?
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So far, I've manually programmed all of the VA STARRS P25 program, and all of the FM police, rescue, and fire frequencies for nearly 12 counties surrounding me and most of the cities in my area. I can pick everything up, but it's always broken, always loses signal, and is always a short transmission. It's like one second the signal bars are full, and then the next second it's lost completely. |
11-09-2012, 8:58 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 2,053
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You could try a Larsen tri-band NMO ,a Larsen 2/440 NMO, or Larsen VHF/UHF NMO antenna. Basically you need a outside (if you can on top of the roof) antenna.
Also do you happen to have weather alert or priority on? That can also make signals go in and out.
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11-09-2012, 9:21 AM
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tribander is the only way to go not sure exactly what part of va your in but theres alot of vhf and 800 systems around and that antenna is amazing on both imo
__________________
BCT-15
BC-72xlt
Pro-106
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11-09-2012, 9:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jajehalbig
So far, I've manually programmed all of the VA STARRS P25 program, and all of the FM police, rescue, and fire frequencies for nearly 12 counties surrounding me and most of the cities in my area. I can pick everything up, but it's always broken, always loses signal, and is always a short transmission. It's like one second the signal bars are full, and then the next second it's lost completely.
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Hmmm, please check that your PRIority scanning is OFF and Close Call is OFF and try again. Those two could cause your radio to go off frequency every so often for long enough to lose lock on another frequency.
There are ways to prevent this other than OFF but for now, let's just check ;-)
If you're like me, you have some seriously powerful transmitters for Safety frequencies and those should be loud and clear, even with a hangar sticking out the back of the BNC connector :P ...
Do you have another radio to compare against? If you do:
--Park both of them on a known strong busy signal
--Compare the output from both...
__________________
Manny
BC296D, BC125AT, BCD996XT, HomePatrol, AOR8000, PCR1000, PRO-2042, OS-535
Icom IC-U16, IC-H16, Motorola MotoTRBO XPR7550
First Scanner: Realistic PRO-24
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11-09-2012, 9:42 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Warren, Michigan
Posts: 293
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I have a Homepatrol 1 and I use this antenna in my car.
Mobile Cellular Look-Alike Glass-Mount Scanner Antenna : Scanner Antennas | RadioShack.com
If you read and install this antenna right it works so good on all the frequencies that the HP 1 lets you scan. Have had mine on for over 1 and 1/2 years not a single problem.
__________________
Doug: Even when you are right, you are wrong. Go figure.
Pro-38 - Pro-2006 - Pro-2020 - HomePatrol 1E and a HP 1 Can you hear me now?
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11-09-2012, 12:47 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Daviess Co., KY
Posts: 228
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Yes a triband antenna works very well. I have a MAXRAD maxscan mounted on the roof of my truck
Kevin Absher - HTC Inspire 4G
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11-09-2012, 6:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gonzalu
Hmmm, please check that your PRIority scanning is OFF and Close Call is OFF and try again. Those two could cause your radio to go off frequency every so often for long enough to lose lock on another frequency.
There are ways to prevent this other than OFF but for now, let's just check ;-)
If you're like me, you have some seriously powerful transmitters for Safety frequencies and those should be loud and clear, even with a hangar sticking out the back of the BNC connector :P ...
Do you have another radio to compare against? If you do:
--Park both of them on a known strong busy signal
--Compare the output from both...
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I've made sure both the close-call and priority scan are OFF. I'm still receiving about the same. But I'll definitely be mindful that they can disrupt my reception.
I feel like I should be hearing my local guys with no problem. I am pretty rural, so perhaps they're just not transmitting often.
I did as you suggested and compared my BCD996XT's reception with a BC355C, and they appeared to be receiving the same strength-wise on some transmissions in the county across the river. I was able to hear pretty clear. But I do feel like overall, I'm not hearing a lot of activity, and when I do its just in peices before I lose it entirely.
I think I'll take a drive to Radioshack tomorrow and see if they can maybe help me out with a great antenna.
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11-09-2012, 6:37 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Daviess Co., KY
Posts: 228
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I would say the little window antenna is your problem. As for a mobile antenna..... I'm not sure if radio shack would have any in stock but you could probably one. I got mine from eBay.
Kevin Absher - HTC Inspire 4G
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11-09-2012, 7:34 PM
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I believe this is the Radio Shack Model the 2nd poster was referring to, you can probably see if its in stock on their website:
Magnet-mount mobile scanner antenna : Mobile Scanner Antennas | RadioShack.com
I'm personally looking to upgrade my 17" Mag-Mount bought off eBay to the Austin "Spectra".. but they are fairly expensive so I'm waiting for Black Friday / Cyber Monday in hopes of a sale. But if you don't listen to any Low Band then disregard.
Austin Spectra Mobile Antenna
(119$ @ RFWiz, but there were more reviews at this link)
Cheers |
11-09-2012, 7:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dixie729
I would say the little window antenna is your problem. As for a mobile antenna..... I'm not sure if radio shack would have any in stock but you could probably one. I got mine from eBay.
Kevin Absher - HTC Inspire 4G
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I tried searching ebay for "maxrad triband" and "maxrad maxscan" with no results also "larsen triband" with 2 results, but I'm not sure what I'm looking at :|
Any advice? |
11-09-2012, 11:02 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Daviess Co., KY
Posts: 228
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Here's another good site.
www.theantennafarm.com
Kevin Absher - HTC Inspire 4G |
11-10-2012, 1:04 AM
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Member
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Amateur Radio
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: MS Gulf Coast
Posts: 1,311
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Any glass mount antenna for any purpose sucks
Pop a hole in the center of the roof and install and NMO mount then stick the Larsen tri-band on it. You could also get one of the 3 inch 800 MHz antennas to put on when going in a parking garage, or car wash, etc. (or just get a plastic cap)
At the very least get a mag base to put the antenna on, IF you have a way to route the cable without damaging it and/or letting rain in.
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11-10-2012, 4:46 PM
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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!
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11-10-2012, 5:01 PM
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In general, the shorter the cable, the better for signal loss. However, with fairly strong signals, the typical mobile antenna cable length is fine. If you're desperate you [can try] a small amplifier but I would not think you need one.
Most of the antennas come with a BNC end but it is easy enough to find a PL-259 to BNC adapter if you get one with such an adapter ...
BNC to PL-259 Adapter : Adapters | RadioShack.com
__________________
Manny
BC296D, BC125AT, BCD996XT, HomePatrol, AOR8000, PCR1000, PRO-2042, OS-535
Icom IC-U16, IC-H16, Motorola MotoTRBO XPR7550
First Scanner: Realistic PRO-24
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