Before I leap...

[TheDM]

Hello All,
I am having to upgrade my antenna set up because I am in a valley and the stock antennas that came with my 396xt and the small ones i have my 996xts just aint cutting it. (Local feeds are strong. anything else is just not there...)
So I picked up the radio shack 20-043 outdoor antenna.
I am gonna use 4 Port MCA204M VHF/UHF Receiver Multicoupler - 25 MHz to 1 GHz from scannermaster to run (1)396xt, (2)996XT's and (1) BCD245. My goal is in the short term is scanning the 400 range and the 800mhz range. (Digital Kansas City PD & analog).
I am considering a. mounting the 20-043 directly onto the roof of my house b. using pvc or metal pipe from Home depot and making an adjustable height stand alone pole next to my attached deck. (any comments? I live in the KC Metro area and am considering storm hazards : snow/lightning.) Either way I am going to ground it with a cable to a grounding plate in the yard.
Assuming that I place the antenna at the same height in both cases.
Is there a better or preferred method. I have read through the forums and found nothing specific.
Am I missing anything obvious or essential?
I would like to add, thanks for all the great postings and time spent here for us newbies. It is truly appreciated.
Thanks
Alex

 

[N5TWB]

A discone is an effective wideband receiving and transmitting antenna. The construction and durability of the RS model is questioned by some when compared to more expensive discones (Icom, Diamond, Telewave) but only time and local conditions will tell. Check all connections and set screws - use thread locker on the set screws. Keep your cable run as short as possible because a discone has no gain and use good quality/low loss cable. That said, given what you are trying to overcome with a valley home, your only solution is height so carefully consider all factors in order to get the desired performance at the optimum price point.

Run a search on this forum about "discones". The RR Wiki and WikiPedia articles are also good sources of further info.

 

[TheDM]

Thanks

Yes, I bought the radio shack model to see if i could get a serious improvement. If I get better results I will be upgrading to a sturdier model.
Thanks for the input.
Alex

 

[n5ims]

Don't forget to use some good quality low loss coax. Doing that part wrong could make your outside antenna work worse than using the stock antenna indoors. The least expensive route would be some satelitte grade RG-6 (generally this would be quad shield stuff). Don't even think about RG-58 or even RG-8X if your run is more than just a few feet. Better would be some LMR-400.

 

[kb2vxa]

Just one thing, loss at 800MHz is considerable so except for short runs LMR400 (an RG-8 foam dielectric type) may not be suitable and RG6-U questionable. LMR600 or better is recommended especially because a discone is unity gain. Any way you look at it, any coax gives diminishing returns so loss factor is paramount.

 

[Rt169Radio]

How did you decide to mount your antenna?

 

[TheDM]

Decided on Antenna.

Well, I first took the 50ft of generic scanner cable I had bought at the shack and put it up on the shelf. (It said "scanner cable" on the RS box... )
Gonna run down on monday or tuesday to the main electronics warehouse here in KCMO and get some low loss coax.
I am going to do a house mount as its about 65ft to my deck from where my scanner room is. If I do a house mount I will have about 12feet from scanner to antenna. Will mean I have to put a new whole in the house but I will keep it small.
Have to work a few details still but the input has been much appreciated.
Alex

 

[robertmac]

Another scanner related post

Is this about an amateur radio antenna? Seems to deal more with 800. I keep looking at some of these posts to try and improve my reception of amateur radio. But the last couple posts are not really about amateur radio frequencies as a priority receive. I can get some points, but?

 

[TheDM]

Im interested as well...

Is this about an amateur radio antenna? Seems to deal more with 800. I keep looking at some of these posts to try and improve my reception of amateur radio. But the last couple posts are not really about amateur radio frequencies as a priority receive. I can get some points, but?

I too would be interested. Why not throw up a new thread so we can get everyone to look at it and see what the pro's have to say....

 

[kb2vxa]

Uh oh, Rat Shack cable no matter they hype it as "scanner cable" is of such poor quality (cheaply made) I among many wouldn't even consider it. It costs more but Times Microwave LMR series is top notch, in both cases you get what you pay for.

"Why not throw up a new thread so we can get everyone to look at it and see what the pro's have to say."
Unpossible, we're Amateurs. (;->)

 

[TheDM]

For the record then...

Ok, then let me ask the question that is begged:
What would the "semi-pro's" here recommend for cable?
a. Best quality.
b. Best bang for buck.
Thanks
Alex

 

[n5ims]

Ok, then let me ask the question that is begged:
What would the "semi-pro's" here recommend for cable?
a. Best quality.
b. Best bang for buck.
Thanks
Alex

A. Andrew LDF4-50A (Commscope LDF4-50A - $1.95 : The Antenna Farm :: , Your Two Way Radio Source!) - Grades larger than 1/2" are even lower loss if you can afford it for longer runs.

B. Times Microwave LMR-400 (http://www.timesmicrowave.com/products/lmr/downloads/22-25.pdf) - Grades larger than 1/2" are even lower loss if you can afford it for longer runs.

B1 (alternate answer). Finding a deal on some new but end-of-reel runs on some LDF40-50A that are long enough for your needs (can be found at times at local hamfests or on eBay).

Be aware that both types of coax may require specialized connectors (LMR-400 works with some common connectors, but not all). Include them in your price estimates or you may end up spending a fortune on the connectors. Many places will sell the coax and correct connectors in a bundle if you ask.

 

[kb2vxa]

"What would the "semi-pro's" here recommend for cable?"

I already answered that in my first post and N5IMS more or less said the same thing. Now if you really want to go pro there is something called hard line. (;->)

 

[LtDoc]

Or wave guide! Don't forget that ... stuff.
- 'Doc

 

[n5ims]

"What would the "semi-pro's" here recommend for cable?"

I already answered that in my first post and N5IMS more or less said the same thing. Now if you really want to go pro there is something called hard line. (;->)

I agree 1000%. It's hard to beat 1.175 dB loss at 900 MHz and yes, that's for a 1000' run (not those shrimpy 100' runs those other folks brag about). ERI - MACX850