best base ANTENNA for SDS200 scanner

[LJF]

That last picture prompted me to respond.

I got back into SWL a year ago with a laptop and some SDRs and Sdrtrunk.
The SDRs came with a quick start kit, small indoor antenna , mount and some cable.
Within a few days I was receiving the local RISCON 800 using the small dipole setup near my laptop.
After my 40+ year career installing all types of antennas from broadcast TV to TVRO and VSAT systems this little dipole runs circles around most else I have tried for this purpose.
So it comes down to receiving frequencies and location.

I will be trying more antennas trying for a greater signal reach when the weather breaks.

 

[joeya7]

I'm currently using an SDS200 with the OmniX antenna. I'm receiving UHF fantastic. However I'm not receiving 700mhz. Thinking about trying a directional antenna and aiming towards the 700mhz tower. Any thoughts on using a HDTV directional antenna that claims Working Frequency: VHF 170~230MHz | UHF 470~860MHz? All the yagi ones are for UHF or 700.

 

[Enforcer52]

I'm currently using an SDS200 with the OmniX antenna. I'm receiving UHF fantastic. However I'm not receiving 700mhz. Thinking about trying a directional antenna and aiming towards the 700mhz tower. Any thoughts on using a HDTV directional antenna that claims Working Frequency: VHF 170~230MHz | UHF 470~860MHz? All the yagi ones are for UHF or 700.

First, how far away is the 700mhz system you are wanting to listen too? 700-800mhz band tends to fall off dramatically after about 20 miles, hence the use of multiple towers. Have you tied rotating the OmniX? They tend to have a bit of directionality to them.

If you try the HDTV antenna as other have, you have to orient to the vertical position.

I would suggest using the Wilson 301111 8 element yagi, or an 18 element 700-800mhz element yagi. I get the best range out of the 18 element yagi.

Of course it all depends on where you live, the topography, buildings, trees, and height of anntenna etc.

 

[joeya7]

First, how far away is the 700mhz system you are wanting to listen too? 700-800mhz band tends to fall off dramatically after about 20 miles, hence the use of multiple towers. Have you tied rotating the OmniX? They tend to have a bit of directionality to them.

If you try the HDTV antenna as other have, you have to orient to the vertical position.

I would suggest using the Wilson 301111 8 element yagi, or an 18 element 700-800mhz element yagi. I get the best range out of the 18 element yagi.

Of course it all depends on where you live, the topography, buildings, trees, and height of anntenna etc.

I'm within 5 miles of the 700 tower in an urban area. The Omni is on the roof of a 4 story building. My concern with the Wilson is that the UHF coverage might suffer. Regarding "aiming" the Omni would you suggest having the X towards the 700 tower or is there no real logic to aiming it?

 

[LJF]

I have been chasing a 800Mhz simulcast signal for a while. I recently installed a wilson 7 bay yagi. pointed it towards the local transmitter and at first was very disappointed, The signal did not look any better than the other antennas I tried. I then recalled a post recommending aiming away from the local transmitter. I cranked it over about 45 degrees off axis away from any of the other transmitters on this network and I got 30db more signal. It goes against how I have been pointing antennas for the last 60 years but you are never too old to learn new tricks. A 700Mhz site was recently added to the net but no audio as of yet. So my suggestion is to move the antennas around, remembering where you started from,and see what happens. You might get a surprise like I did.
Good luck
Larry

 

[Enforcer52]

I'm within 5 miles of the 700 tower in an urban area. The Omni is on the roof of a 4 story building. My concern with the Wilson is that the UHF coverage might suffer. Regarding "aiming" the Omni would you suggest having the X towards the 700 tower or is there no real logic to aiming it?

If your are with 5 miles and 4 stories high he OmniX should be working great. There must be some object, building, hill between you . Turn the OmniX about 1/4 turn at a time till you get the best signal. And as @LJF says pointing the yagi off what you think would be deadon, usually works better.

If you use a diplexer to combine the yagi with the OmniX ( I do this on one of my scanners) you will still have full coverage.

What signal strength are you getting on the 700 system right now?