Antenna advice

[RClary11]

I might be in the worst place ever for great scanner reception. I live in an apartment, on the ground floor and the apartment, believe it or not, is a few feet below ground level. I'd say around 5 feet. I am presently using a back of the set antennae on the Pro-2096, and am getting the OPP okay, but the ambulance transmissions are weak as are some other transmissions. I wonder if anyone can suggest an antenna that might improve reception?

 

[mciupa]

Durham Radio has some discones that may help you.
Look at this link and click on the details for whichever one interests you.
Base Antennas - Durham Radio Sales and Service Canada

 

[motomeso]

I might be in the worst place ever for great scanner reception. I live in an apartment, on the ground floor and the apartment, believe it or not, is a few feet below ground level. I'd say around 5 feet. I am presently using a back of the set antennae on the Pro-2096, and am getting the OPP okay, but the ambulance transmissions are weak as are some other transmissions. I wonder if anyone can suggest an antenna that might improve reception?

Where are you located and which site are you listeing to? Maybe you can try listening to a different site that might be closer or stronger.

As mciupa recommended an external antenna would help but I doubt you will be allowed any type of external antennas at your current building especially living on the basement level.

 

[RClary11]

Where are you located and which site are you listeing to? Maybe you can try listening to a different site that might be closer or stronger.

As mciupa recommended an external antenna would help but I doubt you will be allowed any type of external antennas at your current building especially living on the basement level.

I'm in Tillsonburg Ontario, and as for the OPP and ambulance I am listening to the Aylmer tower. I am guessing this is the closest to me, unless there is one I'm unaware of.

 

[motomeso]

You could try Woodstock even though you are closer to Aylmer. I can't speak for the Aylmer site but Woodstock has some decent elevation from Bower Hill and is worth a shot.

 

[davidmc36]

If you could get a short bit of coax and hang an antenna in a window, even if it is not the closest, choose a tower that the window is facing, it could be your best bet.

 

[RClary11]

You could try Woodstock even though you are closer to Aylmer. I can't speak for the Aylmer site but Woodstock has some decent elevation from Bower Hill and is worth a shot.

I do have the Woodstock control and alternate control channels programmed, but so far I haven't hear a peep from them. I have heard some calls from here in Tillsonburg on the Aylmer tower.

 

[motomeso]

Well sounds like some sort of external antenna is your only option. I have seen suction cup antennas with a tuned length of wire that you could put in the window that would be too ugly if tucked away in the corner.

What are your options for external antenna placements? Do you have a balcony?

 

[mciupa]

What are your options for external antenna placements? Do you have a balcony?

This reminds me of what a friend had to do when he lived in a condo on Malta Ave. in Brampton that had a "no antenna policy".:evil:
Under cover of darkness he would pick up his discone from inside the unit and place it on the balcony for the rest of the evening and enjoy listening.
Then, before he went to work in the morning he brought it back inside.:roll:
Bit of a hassle but you do what you gotta do.

 

[RClary11]

Well sounds like some sort of external antenna is your only option. I have seen suction cup antennas with a tuned length of wire that you could put in the window that would be too ugly if tucked away in the corner.

What are your options for external antenna placements? Do you have a balcony?

Yes i do have a balcony, and since there are people here that have satellite dishes on wood posts that are mounted in the ground I don't see why I couldn't do the same and put some sort of antenna on it. I am not sure how large those discone types are though.

 

[RClary11]

Picture of my predicament.

I was almost going to put this in the Canadian Shacks thread, but I just wanted you all to see how my apartment is situated. Have any of you seen an apartment that was below the parking lot? lol, Well that's where I am. Odd bit of design I know. I wish I could go back in time to tell the designer not to have the apartment built this way. I know, the pic is fuzzy, but I couldn't keep my camera phone still.

 

[VA3QRM]

what I've noticed

I was almost going to put this in the Canadian Shacks thread, but I just wanted you all to see how my apartment is situated. Have any of you seen an apartment that was below the parking lot? lol, Well that's where I am. Odd bit of design I know. I wish I could go back in time to tell the designer not to have the apartment built this way. I know, the pic is fuzzy, but I couldn't keep my camera phone still.

RClary....I have a uniden 396T that is very sensitive to postioning in spots in my house. In some places; even near a window as in your picture, the Fleetnet Tower that is closest to me is almost completely attenuated. While the Tower that is farther away is full scale.....just a movement of a few feet makes all the difference. Both of the Towers about the same in my basement, so try an extension cord, move your scanner and see if that works for you.