amps, pre-amps,antennas

[spiderdcr69]

Hello to everyone. I would first loke to say how much i enjoy RR. I didnt even know it was here until i went to RS to look at new scanners. I hvae a pro-95 now but will be getting a Pro-106 this coming week.
Any way what is the difference in pre-amps and amps? What would you guys run? What kind of antenna?
Im planning on using one like comes with it. But would also like to have maybe a disc cone one. Anyone with any advice or guidance would be most welcome.



thanks

spider

 

[zz0468]

Any way what is the difference in pre-amps and amps? What would you guys run? What kind of antenna?

I avoid the use of a preamp altogether unless it's needed to solve a particular problem. I'd start with a decent antenna mounted outside. A discone will work fine in most circumstances. Don't scrimp on the coax. It's important that you get something decent. If what you're hearing is still too weak, try a directional antenna, like a yagi. If things you want to hear are still to weak with a yagi, THEN come back and ask about preamps. But not before you've identified a definite need and have tried everything else.

The reason I say that is because, done improperly, a preamp can destroy an other wise perfectly readable signal.

 

[spiderdcr69]

what about antennas, i was looking at getting the RS 800 but the 77 seems to be the better choice,could i run a spiltter and use both at one time. would that even be fesible for a handheld?





PS how do you get the stuff under your names, like radios you own and statements

thanks
spider

 

[zz0468]

There's a sticky thread about using two antennas to one radio. The general consensus is DON'T. I can't emphasize DON'T enough. Read the sticky for details. Maybe someone else can recommend one of the RS antennas. I can't and won't. I think all their stuff is crap, and only use professional grade antennas.

For the signature line, go to Account > Forums Profile > Control Panel >Settings and Options > Signature

 

[hoser147]

IF you monitor mostly 800mhz I would recommend the radio shack 800 mhz antenna, for all else I prefer the 77.

 

[skydmark1]

You could also check out www.centerfireantenna.com for some decent discone type antennas. I've heard good things about them and plan to get one for myself. For the money they seem to get better reviews than the RS ones

 

[zz0468]

You could also check out www.centerfireantenna.com for some decent discone type antennas. I've heard good things about them and plan to get one for myself. For the money they seem to get better reviews than the RS ones

I just looked at the discone antenna that they sell and think it's anything but decent. It doesn't have nearly enough elements to be effective as a real discone, and probably behaves more like a random chunk of metal. I'd avoid that one like the plague.

 

[skydmark1]

I just looked at the discone antenna that they sell and think it's anything but decent. It doesn't have nearly enough elements to be effective as a real discone, and probably behaves more like a random chunk of metal. I'd avoid that one like the plague.

Really? I've read decent comments from various sources on this one. The reviews on Eham.com are mixed, but all say it's built decently, mixed feelings about it's performance. Maybe I'll hunt around a bit more before I make a purchase for myself

 

[KC4RAF]

Discone is a good all around antenna.

Try to stay away from preamps. Better antennas and cables are generally you best buy.
Just wondering, has anyone here on RR every used a yagi tv antenna, ( that's just a regular tv antenna for the newbies)? Several years back I tried it by turning the antenna 90* to the vertical position, and was very surprised by the results.

 

[al95]

A preamp can damage the radio if you have strong signals.

 

[zz0468]

A preamp can damage the radio if you have strong signals.

A preamp is highly unlikely to be able to produce enough power output to damage a receiver. If it does, it's probably not a low noise preamp but a power amp of some sort. You can maybe get 10 or 20 milliwatts out most decent preamps if you horsewhip them hard enough - if that much. That may over load the receiver to the point it can't hear any more, but that doesn't generally cause permanent damage - just remove the preamp.

 

[Wirelesstek]

Preamps are generally a bad idea for scanners unless you have a tremendous amount of coax loss you need to overcome.
They will simply cause intemod and interference to increase and selectivity and rejection to decrease.

 

[N_Jay]

. . Just wondering, has anyone here on RR every used a yagi tv antenna, ( that's just a regular tv antenna for the newbies)? . . .

(Or a Log Periodic, for those who know it is not a Yagi) :twisted: