Antenna choice

[g5turbo81]

Hey guys, I'm in Iowa City, and I'm trying to determine which antenna would help best when trying to monitor the Cedar Rapids Digital Trunked System. I live on the third floor and I have a pole mounted another 10 feet up. I was looking at the Yagi Element antenna tuned for the 800-900 mhz range. Prior to this posting I have had no luck with even catching a peep of the control channel. So I'm wondering if this antenna is a good choice? I see the reports of a 6 db gain up to a 9 db gain based on some models. Just looking for some good feedback/advice. Af far as equipment I use a Pro 2096. I was considering a pre amp as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Matt

 

[timkilbride]

Yagi should bring it in. I get the CR digital system from my car at I-80 and I-380. I have my scanner set to lock it out once I get on 80, but I do get it in my car that far South.

 

[splash1]

I can hear CRPD from the Anamosa area with the Radio Shack Model: 20-176 | Catalog #: 20-176 $25.00 , and the scantenna from various dealers(around $ 50.00. also the rubber duck that came with the radio.

 

[mikeydcg2003]

I always enjoy listening to CRPD when i visit my buddy in Marion. Always a good signal there. Also Marion is a good listen, since linn county uses alpha pagers so you don't hear much

 

[timkilbride]

I find it pointless for the alpha pagers. They broadcast on the police side of things where the FD or EMS is going if you listen close enough.

Tim K.

 

[mikeydcg2003]

Yea they are quite pointless. I enjoy having the good ol standard Moto Minitor IV. Although i might snag onto one of our old moto Mini 2's just to have as a classic

 

[timkilbride]

The Minitor II were the best pager made.

 

[mikeydcg2003]

It sure get a lot better reception that the 4 does

 

[g5turbo81]

Antenna Choice

From Iowa City I can usually get all of Washington CO, Cedar CO, and some Muscatine Co traffic but Linn CO and Cedar Rapids Just don't come in. So I will try the Radio Shack Scantenna, and if that doesn't work then I may have to go with the Yagi. The gentleman I bought the radio from in North Liberty has a Small Gold Yagi Antenna in the front of his house. About 3 feet off the ground. He said it worked better this way than on the Roof. It sounded pretty clear. I've been experimenting with some different locations so far, using the extendable antenna from Radio Shack and it has yet to pick up anything in Cedar Rapids.My antenna that is on a fixed mast on my balcony hasn't picked it up either. It could just be the fact that I am surrounded by other Apartment complexes causing some interference.

 

[itsmevoss]

I think it might have something to do with the very large hills between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. I live up in Cedar Rapids and I have a 50ft tower in my back yard and I am still unable to receive Iowa City. I can go every direction but south.

Aaron

 

[mrdinks]

Be careful what you use for cable, it can kill all your signal in the 800mhz. A yagi and good cable would be great if that is all you want to listen to. I am 30miles west and get CR clear but it took some trial and error.

 

[timkilbride]

I think it might have something to do with the very large hills between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. I live up in Cedar Rapids and I have a 50ft tower in my back yard and I am still unable to receive Iowa City. I can go every direction but south.

Aaron

Just a few months I was pulling in the Iowa City TRS from the SW side of CR with just the stock antenna on a BC780. I was getting real heavy interference so I never did program it in. I can only pick RACOM up if I turn my ATT on. The CR system comes in just fine.

Tim K.

 

[g5turbo81]

Be careful what you use for cable, it can kill all your signal in the 800mhz. A yagi and good cable would be great if that is all you want to listen to. I am 30miles west and get CR clear but it took some trial and error.

Your exactly right..It took some trial, and error, and a few extra bucks, but I hear the control channel now, and im working to position my antenna to get better reception...Good news is I can hear Muscatine, and Washington Counties like I was right there..

Looks like I'll keep fiddling around here..

 

[timkilbride]

I think it might have something to do with the very large hills between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. I live up in Cedar Rapids and I have a 50ft tower in my back yard and I am still unable to receive Iowa City. I can go every direction but south.

Aaron

Just a few months I was pulling in the Iowa City TRS from the SW side of CR with just the stock antenna on a BC780. I was getting real heavy interference so I never did program it in. I can only pick RACOM up if I turn my ATT on. The CR system comes in just fine.

Tim K.

 

[g5turbo81]

I'm going to try programming CR South RACOM in and see if that comes in. I did a search in the 806-956 mhz range and stumbled on 6 or 7 different control channels not including the Nextel Analog. So I'm going to check them out and see who they belong to.I tried tuning in the Kalona RACOM tower but haven't had any luck hearing any traffic.

 

[g5turbo81]

Ok, well I just got done setting up my antenna outside and checked the signal strength on the Cedar Rapids Digital system and it read between 35- 55% at best. So back to the drawing board....

 

[timkilbride]

I got my BCD396t(handheld) in the other day. I was able to hear the CRPD all the way to Iowa City from CR. Once I got into town it was really hit and miss. Still not bad for handheld scanner. . . .

 

[g5turbo81]

Wow, not bad is right..*sighs*..Well I bought some good coax, and got my antenna mounted back on it's pole outside, and I did better than I thought I would. 55-71% this time. Analog came in kinda choppy, but the digital was garbled...So Im still working this out.

 

[mikeydcg2003]

You might make sure that your scanner's firmware is up to date. I know uniden and GRE have been releasing firmware updates to fix problems with receiving digital.

 

[g5turbo81]

Tim,

I'll check again, but I just updated the firmware 1 week ago. Someone here told me it's all about experimentaion..I can get the signal at a higher level than before due to raising the overall height, while keeping it in the same general vicinity, but when the mast moves (And I have it pretty well secured) I literally watch the reception % go from 55-71% to 0-5% in a moments notice...So I'm hoping one of my experiments will pay off here..

Thanks for the advice!

Matt