BC125AT Antenna Questions

[qjschum]

Hello,
I have a BC125AT and I am interested in picking up better signals, what do you recommend for indoor and outdoor and also vehicle antennas I will post a picture of how mine is setup.

[hertzian]

Generally you will want your antennas to be vertical. In this pic, I see the antenna up near the ceiling mounted horizontally. Put this on something metallic - even a coffee can near a window, and things should improve.

There are a lot of antenna reviews, and the antenna WIKI you may want to look at. Sounds like you just want a general overall improvement, so don't spend any money until you've looked these threads / wiki over.

In the meantime, try to find a better placement for that existing antenna in a vertical plane.

[dmg1969]

qjschum, I have a BC125AT as well and love it. I use it mainly in my vehicle and use the Radio Shack magnetic mount antenna. When using it outside of the vehicle (I take mine into my office a lot), I am just using the stock antenna for now. I am probably going to pick up a Diamond RH77CA. I am also considering Radio Shack's telescoping center loaded antenna, but not sure if I want all that metal making it top-heavy. Let me know what you end up with.

[bigcam406]

im using a Watson 881 on mine.much better reception with that than the stock duckie.

[TedRHayes]

I've had very good success with an external antenna on my vehicles, specifically the "MP Antenna Super-M Ultra Mobile". I got it from Universal Radio, Columbus, Ohio. I use it with my BC125AT and other scanners. It works extremely well for MILAIR-UHF.

[Rt169Radio]

For outdoor antennas the Diamond D-130J, X30A, and X50A are good. Also the Comet DS150S, and the AntennaCraft ST2 are nice too. For mobile antennas the Larsen NMO line is pretty good (it depends what you want to listen too), for handheld antennas Diamond has nice products too (it also depends what you want to listen too).

[mbgday]

Originally Posted by TedRHayes

I've had very good success with an external antenna on my vehicles, specifically the "MP Antenna Super-M Ultra Mobile". I got it from Universal Radio, Columbus, Ohio. I use it with my BC125AT and other scanners. It works extremely well for MILAIR-UHF.

Hey Ted. Does this antenna just hook right up? Do i need to do anythingn special? I do alot of driving and alot of spotting at the local air port and at a near by air force base.
I dont really want this thing always on the car. No offense its ugly but if it works then great.
basically just want to know if i can hook it up stick it on top of the car and when im done take it off and drive away?

Also having trouble finding it in Canada. May have to order from the states. None on ebay.

thanks

Mat

[TedRHayes]

Originally Posted by mbgday

Hey Ted. Does this antenna just hook right up? Do i need to do anythingn special? I do alot of driving and alot of spotting at the local air port and at a near by air force base.
I dont really want this thing always on the car. No offense its ugly but if it works then great.
basically just want to know if i can hook it up stick it on top of the car and when im done take it off and drive away?

Also having trouble finding it in Canada. May have to order from the states. None on ebay.

thanks

Mat

The antenna requires a NMO base. There are many fixed or magnetic mounts available that would suit your needs. I use a fixed mount on the back of my Honda CRV, works well and it fits in my garage.

Yes the antenna is unusual - I guess you could say ugly. I do get questions about it all the time. The MP Antenna Super-M Classic Mobile is a little less "ugly" than the Ultra model, it only has three elements, and it works very well. I have magnetic NMO mount that I use with it on my wife's van which we usually use on long trips.

I have not seen these MP antennas anywhere but at Universal Radio shortwave, amateur, scanner and CB radio since 1942 out of Columbus, Ohio. I guess you could order from them.

Ted

[davidmc36]

Originally Posted by hertzian

....Put this on something metallic - even a coffee can near a window, and things should improve....

This is a great way to improve reception. I found nice increase using a mag mount on top of the fridge.

[ShyFlyer]

I picked up an Icom antenna for my BC125AT. The FAB04RE. Amazingly better than the stock antenna, even indoors.

[mbgday]

Originally Posted by TedRHayes

The antenna requires a NMO base. There are many fixed or magnetic mounts available that would suit your needs. I use a fixed mount on the back of my Honda CRV, works well and it fits in my garage.

Yes the antenna is unusual - I guess you could say ugly. I do get questions about it all the time. The MP Antenna Super-M Classic Mobile is a little less "ugly" than the Ultra model, it only has three elements, and it works very well. I have magnetic NMO mount that I use with it on my wife's van which we usually use on long trips.

I have not seen these MP antennas anywhere but at Universal Radio shortwave, amateur, scanner and CB radio since 1942 out of Columbus, Ohio. I guess you could order from them.

Ted

Ted

Thanks. I appreciate the help. I spoke with universal radio and they only ship within the states.
I am definitely going to keep my eye open for this specific antenna. And get a magnetic nmo mount.

Thanks

Mat

[mbgday]

Well I found the antenna. Whoop. I ordered it. I ordered from a great website. They were really helpful
And understood what I needed.

Www.grove-ent.com

They were great. I highly recommend them.
Thanks to everyone for the helpI