antenna in attic?

[bfossett]

I have a visual panorama of San Diego Harbor including the international airport, north island military air and amphibious base, amtrack rail line, city trolley line, port of San Diego cruise ship terminal, US coast guard station, etc. etc. I would like to start "listening in" on any and all of these transmissions with my icom pcr100 scanner. Because I don't want to block view of the neighbor behind and above me, I'm thinking of installing an antenna within my attic space. I'm wondering if my red (high iron content) clay tile roof will interfere with the reception, and are there any opinions on inexpensive antennas that would cover the above frequency ranges? Oh yea, I'm completely new to this, so go easy with the jargon on me. TIA!

 

[wwhitby]

I'm not sure if the iron content of the tile is going to cause you reception problems or not. I would definately go ahead and give it a try, though.

I've used a Radio Shack 20-176 antenna to monitor everything from VHF aircraft to 800 MHz trunked systems. They're pretty cheap and work well.

Let us know what happens with the tile.

Warren

 

[737mech]

Try cheap first

I have a visual panorama of San Diego Harbor including the international airport, north island military air and amphibious base, amtrack rail line, city trolley line, port of San Diego cruise ship terminal, US coast guard station, etc. etc. I would like to start "listening in" on any and all of these transmissions with my icom pcr100 scanner. Because I don't want to block view of the neighbor behind and above me, I'm thinking of installing an antenna within my attic space. I'm wondering if my red (high iron content) clay tile roof will interfere with the reception, and are there any opinions on inexpensive antennas that would cover the above frequency ranges? Oh yea, I'm completely new to this, so go easy with the jargon on me. TIA!

I have been to San Diego and understand your area, awesome stuff!! I had an opportunity to scan from the Holiday Inn on the waterway I had the Midway to my left and Sub to my right 7th floor balcony. I'd try a simple RS mag mount antenna on top of your a/c air box if it is in the attic. Don't worry about the tile I have similiar tile and there isn't much loss especially if you are that close. I was wondering about loss having tile and stucco (chicken wire surrounded house) and I can get signals just fine from 13 miles away not exactly line of sight. With line of sight you should have great results with a RS UHF/VHF Deluxe duckie antenna but if you want the attic thing try this
Magnet-mount mobile scanner antenna - RadioShack.com

Can't wait to return to San Diego love the Rockin' Baja Lobster in Old Town!!!

Please post if you have interesting comms that's a great place to scan!!!

 

[W6KRU]

Anything you can see, you should be able to hear with the antenna on the scanner. With my modest outside antenna, I can hear what you are describing from Oceanside!

 

[cbadie]

I live in the Phoenix area and have a similar tiled roof. WIth the RS 20-176 antenna in the attic and LMS240 cable I'm tickled pink with the reception I'm getting. Good range at all levels. I do plan on a directional 800 mhz somewhere down the road to cut down on what I think is multipath.

You should be fine as long as you use good coax and connections.