PSR500/PSR600: Best Aftermarket Antennas for PSR-500

[InspectorWatts]

Hey folks,

First of all, I'm a newbie. Not knowledgeable at all. But I recently purchased a used PSR-500 off eBay and I'm pretty stoked because I've always wanted a scanner. Somehow I have, with the help of software, been able to program my scanner to receive my local emergency talk groups. Unfortunately, I live out in the boonies, with varying obstacles around me, AND a metal roof.

To keep it brief, I've gone this far with setting up this scanner and not really receiving all transmissions due to signal loss is a real bummer. Can someone please recommend a roof top antenna that would pair well with the PSR-500? And maybe a good car antenna, too? Any suggestions would be great! I found only one other thread regarding antennas for these scanners and I already have that antenna on mine, but if someone can direct me to a past thread regarding this issue please do.

Thanks in advance!

 

[gmclam]

Are all the signals you want to monitor in one direction from you? Likely not and you'll want an omni-directional antenna. I use a discone as it is good for a wide range of frequencies. Several companies make a discone, and the differences are either the ruggedness of the design or its use in transmitting. I have the Radio Shack model, which is not as rugged as the Diamond model, but works just fine for me.

 

[InspectorWatts]

Yes I live in a central location in a very rural county with many smaller cities/towns around me. I knew from what I read discone was probably the way to go, but thanks for the lead on Radioshack and even Diamond as brand names. I will do some research on those.

I don't know if picking the wrong antenna can harm the radio or not, so that is a concern.

 

[Swipesy]

For base I used a Diamond J Discone. For mobile I used the Larsen TriBand mag mount. Both antennas will maximize your reception on the PSR-500.

 

[Hit_Factor]

This might work, not sure it's the best, but probably better than a consumer antenna.

File:55Zh6M Nebo-M mobile multiband radar system -02.jpg - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[InspectorWatts]

For base I used a Diamond J Discone. For mobile I used the Larsen TriBand mag mount. Both antennas will maximize your reception on the PSR-500.

Thank you, I will look into these specific models!

This might work, not sure it's the best, but probably better than a consumer antenna.

File:55Zh6M Nebo-M mobile multiband radar system -02.jpg - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Might be a little extreme for my interests XD

 

[737mech]

What system are you trying to scan? Antennas for specific bands are what you want to use. The Larson RH77CA is a good choice. The remtronix 800 Mhz is great for 800 type systems.

 

[Hit_Factor]

I'm with @Swipesy get a discone, this one has n connectors, Diamond® Antenna ~ D130NJ Super Discone Antenna. Height is always your friend, and it out weighs any associated coax loss. Don't cheap out on cable, get LMR-400 with N connectors.

Public Safety TRS are typically built so well a paperclip will receive them. Just gotta get that paperclip out from under that metal roof. The stock antenna is probably sufficient when mobile. You didn't mention what happens when you are mobile.

 

[vagrant]

I don't know if picking the wrong antenna can harm the radio or not, so that is a concern.

There really isn't a specific antenna required/dedicated for the PSR500 or any other scanner. Whatever antenna that works on the frequencies you want are fine. Also, the information Swipesy gave you on a Diamond discone for home and Larsen Triband 150/450/800 for the vehicle are good suggestions. Get the discone above your roofline and use quality coaxial cable like LMR-400 if you can. If you're on a budget, RG6 may suffice. The Larsen uses an NMO mount. You can purchase variations of that mount based on your mounting location. It usually includes the small run of coax.

@Hit_Factor How long have you been sitting on that one? That's funny.

 

[dlwtrunked]

Yes I live in a central location in a very rural county with many smaller cities/towns around me. I knew from what I read discone was probably the way to go, but thanks for the lead on Radioshack and even Diamond as brand names. I will do some research on those.

I don't know if picking the wrong antenna can harm the radio or not, so that is a concern.

Since I did not see anyone reply to that: No, the wrong antenna will not harm the radio. Some antennas will work better. Things that can possible hurt the scanner include lightening (hitting the antenna or power lines but that is on par with lightening hitting a TV antenna and damaging a TV or hiting you--can happen-but unless your antenna is exceptionally high compared to surroundings, not that likely). I might add that some disconnect there antenna when storms come but in 30 years with a 48 ft antenna tower, I never did and have not been hit by lightening; in addition, the last thing I want to do is mess with antenna wires with a storm as I would rather lose the radio than lose me.

 

[InspectorWatts]

Thank you for all the information!

@737mech The system is a Project 25 Phase I that I am trying to dial in. That's all we have in our area for Public Safety. I think that's 800 Mhz if I'm not mistaken.

@Hit_Factor I just tested the scanner out mobile for the first time today and it did fantastic. It's only when I get home the issues begin.

@vagrant I certainly want to get it above that dreaded metal roof, but I do have concerns about lightning strikes. As @dlwtrunked mentioned, it's unlikely this would ever happen to the average person, but my house has been struck more than once by lightning, two times causing major damage to electronics. So I read somewhere grounding the antenna is a must for insurance purposes? Not sure about the validity of that statement.

Thanks again for all the replies. I'm just soaking up all this info!

 

[Hit_Factor]

@Hit_Factor How long have you been sitting on that one? That's funny.

I was just feeling like a smart alec, he asked for the best. None of our usual answers are the best of anything.

 

[vagrant]

If my house had been struck by lightning twice...I would enjoy my indoor antenna until I moved far away.

Important: If you are only monitoring 800 MHz, do not get a discone. The Remtronix 800 MHz antenna 737Mech mentioned is pretty good. The model number is REM-800B and they have a new one REM-830B. These antennas fit right on your scanner. Perhaps try that antenna while indoors. If it does not work that well, put the scanner next to a window. If it works, adding a short run of coax and leaving the antenna at the window my be suitable. Additionally, or alternatively, you may want to review this linked thread below. The discussed antenna works for a reasonable range which includes 800 MHz. I would use the Remtronix while portable/mobile if near a window or on the roof of the vehicle and the L-Com linked below for home use. If it works fine indoors, that will save you time, money and avoid lightning issues.

800 antenna to supplement a Discone

A lot of people are looking for the Holy Grail of antennas to cover everything but it hasn't been found yet. I am a big fan of the Discone for VHF/UHF over the VHF air band through 512MHz where the common size scanner types do very well. Above that range their pattern shifts upward and they...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[InspectorWatts]

If my house had been struck by lightning twice...I would enjoy my indoor antenna until I moved far away.

Important: If you are only monitoring 800 MHz, do not get a discone. The Remtronix 800 MHz antenna 737Mech mentioned is pretty good. The model number is REM-800B and they have a new one REM-830B.

Thank you very much. I went ahead and bought a cheaper antenna for my car (since it works quite well in the car anyway) but followed your advice and bought the REM-830B. I will see how it does. With my history I am quite squeamish about outdoor antennas.

I am already picking up some signals at the house, so I think just a minor improvement will make a big difference since I'm right on the fringe.

Thanks again for all the help guys. I will save all the previous suggestions for further consideration in the future.

 

[bigcam406]

I have used a Watson 801 antenna for the past 12 years on my PSR 500 with great success.

 

[InspectorWatts]

I have used a Watson 801 antenna for the past 12 years on my PSR 500 with great success.

Interesting. Haven't heard of that one. I'll check it out.

I have installed both a cheap car antenna and the Remtronix. Both seem to do OK once I get into town. Maybe a slight improvement at the house with the Remtronix as compared to the stock whip antenna.

I feel like my problem still remains to be the metal roof. And no indoor antenna is going to get around it, so to speak.

It's weird because at the house I'm receiving pretty clear signals from the Sheriffs Department all the way across the county, but not the closest police department. We have three police departments within 30 miles (all in the same county) but I can't seem to get any of their signals once I bring the scanner inside, but still get the Sheriff. Can't get EMS or fire either unless they are close by, within 10 miles.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong. The scanner shows a strong signal (4+ bars) most of the time even inside the house, but still only receiving limited transmissions. I'll have to do some more experimenting. All this is so new to me.

 

[Swipesy]

You are not doing anything wrong. In fact you just stated the most important comment on your thread - " I'll have to do some more experimenting". Scanning is a very personal hobby and everyone has different desires what they want to listen to and each listening environment is unique to you. Those of us who have been into scanning (me 67 years) have learned that experimenting trumps "other's opinion". Only by experimenting and owning different antennas and radios will ultimately give you your best results.