best multi-band base antenna

[SquierStrat]

Hey guys, looking for recommendations for an outdoor antenna for my scanner. Im wanting it to monitor vhf, uhf, and 800mhz, and would like to mount it on the side of the mast (pole) i use for my HAM antenna.. Just wondering what everyone is having the best luck with these days? Thank you

 

[mmckenna]

For VHF, UHF and 800, it's kind of hard to beat a discone.

They are not "great" performers, but they work. 0dB gain, so don't expect a miracle.
I'm not usually a big fan of discones, but for scanner/receiver use where you a have a whole lot of bandwidth to cover, it's kind of the only reasonable option.

I scored a Diamond many years ago for free and put it up on my roof and use it for a base VHF antenna for a CDM-750. Works well enough.

I've got a high end Telewave at work that's connected to a remote receiver we use for testing, and it's done well. Kind of pricy though. For hobby use, the Diamond would be just fine.

 

[JoshuaHufford]

I've heard that the Omni-X is a good antenna, I have no experience with it myself.

https://dpdproductions.com/collecti...-antennas/products/omnix-scanner-base-antenna

 

[cbehr91]

A name brand (Larsen, PCTEL, etc.) tri-band NMO antenna on a ground plane kit may out-do a discone a bit on those bands. If you want to monitor civilian air or mil-air in any way then go with a discone.

 

[737mech]

Base Antenna

I have the DPD Omni X Miltenna which is slightly different than the Omni X but I can still enjoy all the same bands you asked about just fine. Air/Milair/UHF/800/900. Plus one for the DPD antennas. I also use the DPD log periodic (no longer available) that performs outstanding!! Dave at DPD makes good antennas!

 

[jfr]

Another vote for the Omni-X here. It's been up for about 10 years now at the house. Dave is great to deal with, too.

-JR

 

[trp2525]

Some of the "best" multi-band scanner antennas over the years have been the Antennacraft ST2 Scantenna (also sold under the Radio Shack name with model numbers 20-042 and 20-044), the Channel Master 5094 (no 800-900 MHz coverage) and 5094A (with 800-900 MHz coverage) Monitenna and the Antenna Specialists Monitor Series base station antennas (MONR31, MON731 and MON-58 with the 800 MHz choke).

While none of these antennas are in current production, they can be found occasionally on eBay, Craigslist and/or at estate sales. Sometimes they even pop up as "brand-new in factory box." See Universal Radio's Discontinued Scanner Antennas webpage for further details on some of these "oldies but goodies" antennas: https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ScanAntsD.html

I'm currently using an Antenna Specialists MON731 (https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/3376.html) mounted on my roof on a 10-foot antenna mast with excellent results on all scanner bands.

 

[Wholeo1955]

from universal radio as well ive got this is inside still new

to all on radio reference, whomever would like to make me a nice offer on this antenna: https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/2732.html ,,,,,,,,, this has been indoors for the last 4 years proped up by the mounting rail thru my double blinds to keep it from falling off and onto the floor ill take the first $60.00 shipped 48 lower states only as IVE said never has it been outdoors but has the 50' of coax but dont know if ill be able to find the u-bolts for this at this time, so they are easy to come by at home depot if you so wish thanks for looking at this, I will package it up as best I can back in cardboard to send it out to whom ever wants to Buy it from me , now I do not take paypal so it will be personal check, and it will need to clear first before ill ship please understand, just for my safety due to the nature of things these days !

 

[TailGator911]

to all on radio reference, whomever would like to make me a nice offer on this antenna: https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/2732.html ,,,,,,,,, this has been indoors for the last 4 years proped up by the mounting rail thru my double blinds to keep it from falling off and onto the floor ill take the first $60.00 shipped 48 lower states only as IVE said never has it been outdoors but has the 50' of coax but dont know if ill be able to find the u-bolts for this at this time, so they are easy to come by at home depot if you so wish thanks for looking at this, I will package it up as best I can back in cardboard to send it out to whom ever wants to Buy it from me , now I do not take paypal so it will be personal check, and it will need to clear first before ill ship please understand, just for my safety due to the nature of things these days !

I think you'd get better results by posting in the appropriate forum - RadioReference Classifieds - where you can sell items and give and receive feedback, etc. Just scroll down thru the different sections on the main page and you will see it.

 

[markclark]

Probably about the best unless you go with a band specific commercial antenna:

" Monitenna and the Antenna Specialists Monitor Series base station antennas (MONR31, MON731 and MON-58 with the 800 MHz choke) "

Try e-bay.