Antenna

[cdenton]

Yeah - I know I might hear it for this, but I have been looking!
I listen primarily to freq's in the 154-155 mHz range (up to 158, but mostly 154-155) and the 867-868 mHz range. It looks to me that there is no antenna that I can mount to my handheld that will work with these two freq ranges.
What should I get?
I am willing to mount something to my trunk lid and run it in to the scanner on my dash if that's what it takes - I can only get a good fit with about a 10-12" length on the scanner itself where I have it mounted. I guess I could move it if I have to.
I checked out the reviews, and it almost looks like the stock duck that came with my Pro 96 might be the best comprimise out there!
I currently have no problem in the 867-868 range with my duck where I'm at - we've got plenty of MPSCS towers around here!

 

[Al42]

The duckie is pretty good, considering that it's a compromise. One problem is that it's operating in a pretty shielded enclosure. You might want to try the RS 20-032 mag mount. I use it both in the house and in the car, and it improves reception quite a lot.

 

[JohnWayne]

Any wideband portable antenna is going to be a compromise. If you listen to VHF mainly, then I would suggest getting a real good VHF portable antenna. It will still pick up 800MHz, just not as good as an 800MHz antenna would. I sell two VHF models that would work well for what you want. The EXB-150-BN has a standard BNC connector, and the EXB-150-BNX has a covered BNC connector. Both are exactly the same; it's just a matter of if you like covered BNC connectors or not. I also have 800MHz antennas if you would rather have one of those. Check out my Handheld Antenna Selection Matrix. You want either a BN or BNX style connector.

A mobile antenna mounted on your car is definitley going to be better. For VHF/UHF/800 I suggest either Antenex ASCANC (chrome) or the ABSCANC (black). You can also use a band-specific antenna for VHF or 800MHz. I also have a variety of mounts including trunk lid mounts and magnetic mounts.

Please do let me know if you have any questions, or if you need help on picking out the right products for your application.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[kb2vxa]

mobile antenna

A Plain Jane 18" VHF 1/4 wave, NMO trunk lip mount would give the best overall reception and it's unobtrusive. Since the 800mHz signals are strong it should receive them with little difficulty. If reception is spotty, picket fencing while in motion is a problem another 1/4 wave "stinger" for 800 may be in order. They're easy to change out but of course then if you have the 800 antenna on VHF Hi Band will suffer greatly. It's up to you how you work it, but the bottom line is band specific antennas are best.

One HUGE caveat, don't get caught with a scanner in the car! They're illegal most everywhere, you're much better off leaving them at home. Unfortunately it makes portables useless, they're jail bait too. Don't blame the "post 911 world", those laws went into effect years ago and they're being stiffened, the "hard time" the cops give you may be several months of it if you know what I mean.

 

[coolblueneon]

Re: mobile antenna

One HUGE caveat, don't get caught with a scanner in the car! They're illegal most everywhere, you're much better off leaving them at home. Unfortunately it makes portables useless, they're jail bait too. Don't blame the "post 911 world", those laws went into effect years ago and they're being stiffened, the "hard time" the cops give you may be several months of it if you know what I mean.

WTF? most everywhere? here's a link to a site about use of scanners in cars. Some states listed say that "Use (of scanners) in furtherance of a crime is illegal."

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/transportation/radar.htm#table2


Greg

 

[safetyobc]

Do the covered bnc and uncovered bnc have different reception or is it just a matter of different looks?

 

[JohnWayne]

It's just looks really.

Jeff