dragon3158
Member
i use the radioshack pro 164 in MA an i wanna hear stuff further away. i was thinking of getting a bigger antenna. i was thinking Outdoor VHF-Hi/UHF Scanner Antenna...
antenna
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K9WG
Member
Yes, an outdoor antenna would improve reception over a back of the set one.
More info?
Will the new antenna be used at home or in your vehicle?
Home: on the roof or on a tower, or inside in your shack or attic?
Vehicle: drill through vehicle body or magnet mount, or trunk lip mount?
There are hundreds of styles of antennas and different ways to mount them, so please give us more info as to what you're looking to do. Thanks,
Russell
If you're using the "rubber duckie" antenna on top of the 164, you will surely increase your reception range by stepping up to an external antenna, but some additional info is needed.
Will the new antenna be used at home or in your vehicle?
Home: on the roof or on a tower, or inside in your shack or attic?
Vehicle: drill through vehicle body or magnet mount, or trunk lip mount?
There are hundreds of styles of antennas and different ways to mount them, so please give us more info as to what you're looking to do. Thanks,
Russell
dragon3158
Member
well right now im useing a Magnet-mount mobile scanner antenna i have it sitting on the floor of my balcony. i dont have a car so id be using this antenna for home use i have a hand held scanner also radioshack with a flex 800-mhgz antenna on it
N1BHH
Member
Place that sucker on a metal surface and it'll work much better, preferably outside.
dragon3158
Member
ahaha N1BHH how u doing buddy, how u been?
dragon3158
Member
ok were gonna get snow..should pull my antenna in or will it be ok outside?
1. How do you get a magnet mount antenna to stay upright on your balcony floor? Is the floor made of steel?
2. The suggestion that you put the magnet mount on a metal tray (a steel cookie baking tray, for instance) is right on, and this will provide the antenna with the ground plane that it needs to perform.
3. A magnet mount mobile antenna is designed to withstand the elements since it's going to be outside in all types of weather, so don't worry about a few inches of snow affecting it.
Russell
2. The suggestion that you put the magnet mount on a metal tray (a steel cookie baking tray, for instance) is right on, and this will provide the antenna with the ground plane that it needs to perform.
3. A magnet mount mobile antenna is designed to withstand the elements since it's going to be outside in all types of weather, so don't worry about a few inches of snow affecting it.
Russell
dragon3158
Member
1. i not sure why or how the antenna stayed standing up. it just..did
2. i agree. the metal or sheel object is a good idea an right now i am using a metal step painters latter so far so good.
3. ok. cool..just wanted to make sure. i dont realy have money to be replacing things like that right now lol. your in ct. hows the state money there? u guys suffering just us hear in ma.?
2. i agree. the metal or sheel object is a good idea an right now i am using a metal step painters latter so far so good.
3. ok. cool..just wanted to make sure. i dont realy have money to be replacing things like that right now lol. your in ct. hows the state money there? u guys suffering just us hear in ma.?
dragon3158
Member
how far will the rang br now that i gave my antenna the ground it needed?
N1BHH
Member
Your mileage varies. Depends on building construction, foliage, hills, etc.
Six cookie sheets in my attic spaced about 4' apart. Each antenna connected to a different scanner with RG58 down through walls to BNC connectors on plates at the baseboards. All work great. Usually about 30 mile range because of my location. (Wife wants to know what keeps happening to her cookie sheets)
dragon3158
Member
lol wow..hullinian. im in weymouth. you must listen the boats alot huh..what kinda antenna an scanners you got?
Antennas
Just a few of the important marine channels (Harbormasters, Harbor pilots, Coast guard, etc). The other radios are for the usual public safety stuff (Police, fire, EMT). Local town DPW and Utility companies also. Mostly all Uniden/Bearcat of one sort or vintage. Actually one crystal controlled Regency, and one very old RatShack.
Just a few of the important marine channels (Harbormasters, Harbor pilots, Coast guard, etc). The other radios are for the usual public safety stuff (Police, fire, EMT). Local town DPW and Utility companies also. Mostly all Uniden/Bearcat of one sort or vintage. Actually one crystal controlled Regency, and one very old RatShack.
dragon3158
Member
im in south weymouth i can hear harbor masters or any marine unless im right there in hull near the water an even the i dont get much traffic..do u just use the magnett mount antenna's?
dragon3158
Member
is there a way to connect one anntenna to two scanners at the same time?
RKG
Member
Yes and no.
Yes: The two receivers have to be isolated from one another. You do this by connecting each receiver to one port of a device known as a "multicoupler" (being sure to terminate any unused ports on the multicoupler with 50 ohm termination resistors) and the antenna to the "output" or "common" port on the multicoupler. Multicouplers come in both active and passive designs, but the insertion loss for the passive ones will be large. Active multicouplers try to offset the insertion loss by adding pre-amps to each output port, but then you get pre-amp noise.
No: multicouplers are expensive.
I once evaluated a consumer-grade multicoupler for someone and found it inconsistent. I've just installed a number of logger recorders made by this guy, who also sells a reasonably priced multicoupler. I've never tested it, but, as I say, his other product is quite good.
Wideband RF Multicoupler - 16 Radios, Surge Protected, 50 Ohm
dragon3158
Member
ok well im only looking to hook one anntenna to 2 scanners..is it somthing i can get at radioshack?
ScannaMan9
Member
Solution!
But, at scannermaster connect this:
https://www.scannermaster.com/BNC_Female_to_BNC_Female_Connector_p/35-531666.htm
To the BNC antenna adapter, then put this:
https://www.scannermaster.com/BNC_Male_to_BNC_Female_T_Connector_p/15-541356.htm
On that, and finally get two of these:
https://www.scannermaster.com/RG58_Jumper_Cable_3_BNC_Male_to_BNC_Male_p/35-551255.htm
And connect them to your scanners!
No.....
But, at scannermaster connect this:
https://www.scannermaster.com/BNC_Female_to_BNC_Female_Connector_p/35-531666.htm
To the BNC antenna adapter, then put this:
https://www.scannermaster.com/BNC_Male_to_BNC_Female_T_Connector_p/15-541356.htm
On that, and finally get two of these:
https://www.scannermaster.com/RG58_Jumper_Cable_3_BNC_Male_to_BNC_Male_p/35-551255.htm
And connect them to your scanners!
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