antenna questions

[tlu98]

Hi,
This is my first post. I have several questions and I am very inexperienced. First, I listen to police and fire mostly. I live in a rural area and the frequencies I listen to are vhf and are mainly in the 150 to 160 range. I listen to my scanner at work but I am unable to receive surrounding counties in my office when I can hear them in other areas of the building. I do have a window in my office. I am looking for an antenna that could help improve the range. (Forgive me for I do not know the termage)
Also I am looking for an antenna for my vehicle for the same frequencies. I do not want to drill holes, however. I currently have a magnet mount that does a little better but I am wondering if something else might be better.
Thanks.

 

[LMHODNETT]

I would like to know what kind of antenna you use at home and how high is it to receive frequencies at 150-160 miles??
Thanks

 

[SAR923]

I think he meant the 150-160 mHz range rather receiving 150-160 miles away.

I'm assuming you have a handheld scanner although it helps if you let us us know exactly what brand and model of scanner you have. The problem in your office may be either a steel frame building that's blocking the signals or so many computers and other electronic devices that the front end of the receiver is being overloaded and desensitized. There are suction cup mounts that will work on your window to mount an antenna but I doubt it would do much better than just setting the scanner by the window.

Again, it would help if you told us exactly what kind of mag mount antenna you are using. A good mag mount antenna mounted in the center of your car roof should give dramatically better results than the stock antenna mounted on the radio. If it doesn't, there's something wrong with either the antenna or, more likely, the cable or connector. There are trunk lip antenna mounts that only take two screw holes in the side of the trunk lip and ar invisible from the outside of the car. The advantage is you generally get a better ground with a permanently mounted antenna. The disadvantage is the receiving pattern is more directional with a trunk mount than a mag mount in the center of the roof. If you don't have your mag mount in the center of your roof, try moving it there and see if that improves your reception. If it doesn't, it's time to look at getting either a better antenna or fixing the problem with your present antenna. A mag mount should be fine for casual scanner use.

 

[xusmarine1979]

If you want a rubber (duckie) antenna, you could try the "Condor" at scannermaster.com. It's a bit pricey, but for the money it should work best for multiband.