Antenna for a hand-held scanner

[ColebrookdaleRailfan]

Right now I'm working with a Uniden BC75XLT and the stock antenna. I'm wondering if such a hand-held, running off of two AA's would be able to handle a small amplifier AND a larger antennae, or would this configuration be underpowered and have an adverse affect on the scanner/additional hardware? Please pardon my ignorance if there is something I'm missing, I'm not experienced with the non-stock hardware. Specific pieces I'm looking at purchasing are linked below. I've already checked and both have the connectors I need and are capable of the desired frequencies (approximately 161 MHz for railroad channels).
LNA-VHF-B Pre-Amplifier | Scanner Master
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tram-108...=online&wl12=51684984&wl13=&veh=sem#read-more

 

[jonwienke]

Using a RF preamp with a handheld scanner makes zero sense. It will need a separate power supply, which is going to be a giant PITA in conjunction with a battery-powered handheld.

You'll be better off getting an antenna specifically tuned to the 160MHz band. The one you linked to is tuned to 144MHz, not 160. It might work better than the stock duck, but only if you stick it to the top of a vehicle or refrigerator or something like that.

https://www.smileyantenna.com/product-p/16030.htm

DPD Productions - Railroad Base & Mobile Antennas: TrainTenna, Voice Communications, ATCS, Data

https://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=55567&eventGroup=4&eventPage=3

Railscan Gain Antenna by Railcom

 

[ColebrookdaleRailfan]

Thanks, that's exactly the information I was looking for.

 

[ColebrookdaleRailfan]

Right now, it seems like there are 5 different 160 MHz tuned varieties through Smiley Antenna. I'm looking for the greatest range that I can get so which one would you recommend?

 

[jonwienke]

All else being equal, a physically longer antenna will have better reception than a shorter one, as long as both are tuned to the received frequency.