Best Antenna for a 396

[fireant]

What is the best antenna for the 396 have tryed the 800 duck from radio shack works well on my other radios but doesn't seem to be much better than the stock antenna on the 396 any suggestions would be appreciated mainly listen to the State system, Norman, Edmond, Okc and Prisons.

fireant

 

[khvfdff]

Try a multi-band 9 inch antenna from RadioShack. Where I live just south of Jacksonville Florida, we have rolling hills and some areas are below sea level, and it is hard to hear all of my frequencies that I have in my scanner. The 9 inch antenna does make a difference. I can hear everything except the Gainesville and Jacksonville Trunking Systems. All of the VHF, UHF and 800MHz stuff that is conventional comes in loud and clear. About 10 to 15 miles from where I live I start to pick up the Jacksonville 800 system for Fire/Rescue. I also can pick up the Gainesville 800 system going toward Gainesville in about the same distance maybe less. They work great. Like I said that antenna does make a difference.

 

[hiegtx]

As far as 800mhz goes, I've noticed more gain with this antenna than with the R/S 800. However, you'll lose some sensitivity in Vhf-high, and probably a good bit if you have any activity on Vhf-low (i don't have any in this area for a comparison).

 

[gatorhater]

I bought one of the R/S 800 Mhz antennas for my 396. A major improvement over the one that comes with the box when its brand new.