Antenna Ranges

[ffjeff1984]

Hello, I was wondering Can You Get an Antenna for a RADIO SHACK BRAND TRUNKING SCANNERw/digital EDACS That would pick up
Radios Transmitting Like in Howard County from My Worcester County
Home...

 

[fourwd1]

You would need a directional antenna with a very narrow beam pattern and a whole lot of gain, but I still don't think you'd be able to receive Howard couny's 800 system for Worcester county.

 

[Waldo325mvfd]

I've got a 2053 and can hear AA county FD 154.010,Montgomary FD 154.16 and 153.95,St.marys co. 154.98,charles 158.775 and 155.085 and 46.42 with out a antenna. :!: It's true!
8)

 

[TinEar]

Let's see...according to my calculations, you'd need a 280 foot tower with about a 30 dbd gain antenna of some type to receive an 850 mHz signal from Howard County in Ocean City. Just kidding ffjeff1984 about the calculation (obviously) but I honestly don't think you can do it. Receiving an understandable analog trunked signal at that frequency would be very difficult and a digital signal like Howard's would be almost impossible without some extremely expensive antenna equipment and a very high quality commercial/government type communications receiver. You would even have a difficult time receiving their VHF fire freqs I would think - although that's within reason with the right conditions.

 

[Waldo325mvfd]

what about a online scanner?

 

[fourwd1]

I've got a 2053 and can hear AA county FD 154.010,Montgomary FD 154.16 and 153.95,St.marys co. 154.98,charles 158.775 and 155.085 and 46.42 with out a antenna. :!: It's true!
8)

What does that have to do with rcving 800MHz in Worcester cnty ?

 

[Dispatcher308]

Fourwd1 that was my Question!! AND!!!!!!

 

[MCMD5]

I can pick up Montgomery County VHF just outside Ocean City in DE a lot. You might want to program the VHF freq's and see if it works for you. I can not pick up everything but do recieve alot.

 

[ffjeff1984]

Tonight I was in Garrett County about 2-3 Miles up in a Moutain and I
Picked up The Baltimore County Police on My New Uniden HandHeld
Scanner w Trunking Band :roll: :mrgreen:

 

[ka3jjz]

Tonight I was in Garrett County about 2-3 Miles up in a Moutain and I
Picked up The Baltimore County Police on My New Uniden HandHeld
Scanner w Trunking Band :roll: :mrgreen:

Everyone is kinda skipping (pardon the pun) all over the place with this question. The calculation that TinEar gave might be tongue-in-cheek, but the intent is right on; what lots of folks forget is that a signal on VHF hi band will travel further than an 800 mhz signal, given a similar antenna. Other factors include the height above any obstacles, distance to target, wavelength of the signal and any signal loss due to antenna inefficiencies. Hills and trees are sure death to a 800 signal (they love to soak up those near-microwaves).

I wouldn't doubt that you probably could get the Baltimore county system while on a mountain in Garrett county. Remember, height above any obstacles (it's actually referred to as Height Above Average Terrain, or HAAT) is one of the factors you need to consider.

I might buy hearing Howard County VHF in Worcester county, if the antenna is high enough with enough gain; but on 800 mhz? It would be very tough. 73s Mike

 

[ffjeff1984]

This Is a New Hobby to me Still...I Just Get a Little Curious about Antennas

 

[N_Jay]

This Is a New Hobby to me Still...I Just Get a Little Curious about Antennas

http://www.arrl.org/catalog/index.php3?category=Antennas,+Transmission+Lines+&+Propagation