Antenna Question

[ffemt613]

Alright everyone,


My 396XT is now in the mail and will soon be here. I'm looking at creating a "shopping list" of scanner accessories, programming software, programming cable, etc.

What I would appreciate opinions on are antennas. I'd like to buy an antenna that can receive signals from long distances (ie. 40+miles) if possible. The type like the stock antenna that comes with it (cant remember for the life of me what the antenna is called). If I have to, ill see about where i can mount an external fixed antenna at my place that i can hook into, but would like one for the road.

Is there an antenna that would fit the bill? or is a external fixed antenna my only option?

[WVFC80]

First of all what are you listening to with your scanner (VHF, UHF, 800?) , since everything in my area is all analog mostly VHF/UHF I bought 2 of these....
SpectrumForce Wideband Antenna with Mag Mount and BNC

For what they cost you cant beat them, I have one on my truck with my Uniden BC15X and the other one mounted on my air conditioner at my house with my other BC15X. There is better antennas for sure but for 20 bucks why not.

[ffemt613]

Originally Posted by WVFC80

First of all what are you listening to with your scanner (VHF, UHF, 800?) , since everything in my area is all analog mostly VHF/UHF I bought 2 of these....
SpectrumForce Wideband Antenna with Mag Mount and BNC

For what they cost you cant beat them, I have one on my truck with my Uniden BC15X and the other one mounted on my air conditioner at my house with my other BC15X. There is better antennas for sure but for 20 bucks why not.

I live in WA, and I'd like to monitor Victoria BC (about 30miles away from me). Theyre running a Motorola Type II SmartZone system with the system voice being analog and APCO 25 Common Air Interface. My goal would be to try and pick their system up to listen to.

[davidmc36]

I have used the antenna that WVF linked. It works quite well on VHF which this system is (I assume that is what you are trying to listen to). I find it can be a little spotty with digital if the signal is a bit weak. I think you will be pushing the envelope trying to get from 30 miles unless you are on top of a hill or whatever to get a good line of sight, or unless the transmitter is on very high ground.

Like WVF says, for 20 beans you can't go wrong, it will be a huge improvement of the rubber duckie that the scanner comes with. I actually took the whip from this and put it on the hard-mount when I drilled a hole in the roof of the car. Made a very good all around antenna that really shines on VHF.

[Rt169Radio]

For a base antenna the Antennacraft ST2 or the Diamond D-130J should do good for you. They cover 25 to 1300 MHz which is good just in case you listen to other stuff.

Now for a mobile antenna the Larsen tri-band NMO is good, that covers 150/450/800 MHz. Larsen also has VHF/UHF and 800 MHz antennas.

[hosehead88]

Or an Austin Spectra for a mobile antenna. Love mine.

[ka3jjz]

Since everyone else has done the antenna, the rest of the 'shopping list' can be, at least partially, addressed by (anything blue is a link)

Program your DMA Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki

USB connections have been extensively discussed in this forum - use the search tools for that.

As for software, if you start off with FreeScan (which is freeware), you can move up to ProScan or ARC-XT later. The link for that is in the software article that's mentioned in the article above, along with the link to the user guide, which is also found in our wiki

Mike

[Rt169Radio]

Also don't forget to get a case for the Uniden BCD396XT, and extra batteries would be good too. For a handheld antenna the Diamond SRH77CA would be good. You could also take a look at the Diamond SRHF10.