Antenna identification

[fireman216]

Can someone please identify this antenna. I know it's old, but it works great with my 800 scanner, I would like to find a copy more for family members. Any help or if anyone can tell me which antenna works the best with 800 MHz digital would be great. I have tried a discone antenna and incant even get the county next to me.

 

[nd5y]

Channel Master Monitenna 5094A.

 

[fireman216]

Awesome Thank you!!

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Any help or if anyone can tell me which antenna works the best with 800 MHz digital would be great. I have tried a discone antenna and incant even get the county next to me.

Please reply back with the following info so we can get eyes on the RRDB to help you troubleshoot. The antenna may or may not be the issue:

• Your location (city/state/county)
• County(ies) you're looking to bring in
• Make & model scanner you're using

 

[N9JIG]

The baluns on those old Channel Master and ST-2 (similar but slightly different in design) antennas go bad over the years. I replaced mine with the CM-3203 model, available at:

Balun / Matching Transformer Deluxe for TV Antennas | Channel Master

The Channel Master CM-3203V2 Outdoor Balun Matching Transformer Deluxe is an upgraded professional grade balun for any outdoor tv antenna that does not have an integrated balun.

www.channelmaster.com

These are much better, replacing it will help if (when) the original old balun goes bad. .

 

[Ubbe]

I know it's old, but it works great with my 800 scanner,

I have tried a discone antenna and incant even get the county next to me.

Discones are inefficient above 600MHz. If its horisontal elements are fastened with a screw you can replace the elements with shorter ones that are 1/3 of the originals length. Or cut the ones you have. You will then have pretty much the same reception as the ST2. And if you later want to restore its 100-500MHz reception you can use a hose clamp to hold the pieces in place.

/Ubbe

 

[fireman216]

Please reply back with the following info so we can get eyes on the RRDB to help you troubleshoot. The antenna may or may not be the issue:

• Your location (city/state/county)
• County(ies) you're looking to bring in
• Make & model scanner you're using

• Discones are inefficient above 600MHz. If its horisontal elements are fastened with a screw you can replace the elements with shorter ones that are 1/3 of the originals length. Or cut the ones you have. You will then have pretty much the same reception as the ST2. And if you later want to restore its 100-500MHz reception you can use a hose clamp to hold the pieces in place.
  
  /Ubbe

  That's good advice! I made an antenna for my sister just by using a piece of coax and separated the shielding and the center conductor and looked u the correct lengths for 800mhz and it works great. I now have two discones that are pretty much useless to me, so I think I will cut the elements on the top e to the 1/3 length and see if that helps! great idea!

I am in Farwell MI been on the fire dept for 28 years, we are in Clare county south end, and we also cover Gilmore Twp. in Isabella county. At my house in Isabella county I went from the discone to the channel master and HUGE difference. now I need one for my busniess in Farwell because I can't hear Isabella county. Both scanners are the pro-197

 

[garyscot]

Can someone please identify this antenna. I know it's old, but it works great with my 800 scanner, I would like to find a copy more for family members. Any help or if anyone can tell me which antenna works the best with 800 MHz digital would be great. I have tried a discone antenna and incant even get the county next to me. View attachment 190507

You must be in the primary coverage area to get anything 800 out of that old girl. It was is for all bands down to 30 Mhz. For 800 your biggest gain will be quality low loss co-ax from the roof to your radio. 75 Ohm TV coax will suck a tremendous amount of signal out before it ever gets down to the radio. Look for LMR400 or similar with properly installed connectors on any run over 25 feet. Here is a cheap one on ebay "U&C Wireless HNT Antenna 800/900 MHz 6 dBi Omnidirectional Antenna- High Quality".

 

[Ubbe]

For a 50ft length of coax at 900MHz a LMR400 will have a 2dB attenuation and RG6 will have 3dB.

/Ubbe

 

[trp2525]

Can someone please identify this antenna...

View attachment 190507

Channel Master Monitenna 5094A.

For those who may be interested, attached below is the Channel Master Monitenna 5094A product description page from the 1990 Channel Master catalog. Earlier versions of the antenna included 50 feet of RG-59 coax but that was changed to 50 feet of RG-6 coax in later-production models.

If you are curious about pricing back in the day, my Channel Master February 1989 dealer price list shows the Monitenna 5094A with a list price of $44.99. Dealer pricing was $32.91 for 1, $28.49 for 2-5 and $25.68 for 6 and up. Each antenna package/box weighed in at 4.75 lbs.

 

[fireman216]

You must be in the primary coverage area to get anything 800 out of that old girl. It was is for all bands down to 30 Mhz. For 800 your biggest gain will be quality low loss co-ax from the roof to your radio. 75 Ohm TV coax will suck a tremendous amount of signal out before it ever gets down to the radio. Look for LMR400 or similar with properly installed connectors on any run over 25 feet. Here is a cheap one on ebay "U&C Wireless HNT Antenna 800/900 MHz 6 dBi Omnidirectional Antenna- High Quality".

Awesome thanks! I actually put my old mobile scanner antenna up on the roof and its working perfectly.