Best SDS200 Indoor Antenna?

[paramedic228]

Can anyone share their experience with an antenna that has given decent results with your SDS200 indoors. I have mine on my desktop, fairly close to a window. So far, I have tried a few different antennas, but seem to think there must be a better on out there to help with the reception, particularly of the UHF range that I usually am monitoring.
The telescoping antenna that comes with the unit does not work as good as I would like. I does not work as well as the Spectrum Force Wideband antenna. I bought a Diamond RH77CA 144/440 MHz. Dual-Band High Gain Handheld Antenna, but didn't get very good results at all and ended up returning it.
I have the Remtronix 820S on my SDS100 and it is great! Of course, it is primarily for 700-900MHz and that is what I use the 100 for most of the time. But, I was wondering if the REM-842B would perform as well on my SDS200 for the UHF range? Or, are there any other experiences out there?

 

[bob550]

Depending on the distance to the window, you could consider a suction cup mount with BNC connector (although currently out of stock) placed on the window. I have used these with positive results for several years. Then, the length of your OEM whip can be adjusted to suit your target frequencies by using the formula of 468 / frequency (MHz) = length of antenna in feet. But of course keep in mind that you may wind up reducing signal strength in other bands by adjusting the antenna length.

 

[kg4ehv]

Best is subjective. But I use a Diamond RH-771 on my SDS 200 and am very pleased.

 

[Reconrider]

I'm a fan of the larson tri band antenna with mag mount NMO.

Both can be had on amazon for about 50 bucks.

Pair that with a small ( 12"x12: ) piece of sheet metal and the waves will bounce right into the antenna, so to speak lol.

 

[javajix]

I'm using a Moonraker Sky Scan Desktop antenna,
is not too bad.




Key Features/Specifications:

• Type: Discone style desktop receiving antenna
• Frequency: 25-2000MHz
• Base: Heavy duty 125mm magnetic plate for stationary vehicle use if required
• Length: 70cm
• Cable: 4m RG58 mil spec coax
• Connection: BNC male plug fitted

 

[paramedic228]

I'm a fan of the larson tri band antenna with mag mount NMO.

Both can be had on amazon for about 50 bucks.

Pair that with a small ( 12"x12: ) piece of sheet metal and the waves will bounce right into the antenna, so to speak lol.

It was recommended that I try something like that under the mag mount on my Spectrum Force antenna. I didn't notice much difference when I did that. But, the way that I have it right now is that the antenna is fixed to the frame of my mini-blinds housing, which I think is steel, and is about 5 feet long (runs the width of the window opening). The antenna runs horizontally in the That does seem to help as opposed to when I just had it sitting on the window frame.

 

[paramedic228]

I'm using a Moonraker Sky Scan Desktop antenna,
is not too bad.

View attachment 127783


Key Features/Specifications:

• Type: Discone style desktop receiving antenna
• Frequency: 25-2000MHz
• Base: Heavy duty 125mm magnetic plate for stationary vehicle use if required
• Length: 70cm
• Cable: 4m RG58 mil spec coax
• Connection: BNC male plug fitted

70cm is the overall height?

 

[javajix]

70cm is the overall height?

The overall height (from base to top) is 90cm

 

[paramedic228]

Depending on the distance to the window, you could consider a suction cup mount with BNC connector (although currently out of stock) placed on the window. I have used these with positive results for several years. Then, the length of your OEM whip can be adjusted to suit your target frequencies by using the formula of 468 / frequency (MHz) = length of antenna in feet. But of course keep in mind that you may wind up reducing signal strength in other bands by adjusting the antenna length.

I didn't know that about adjusting the length on a telescoping antenna! So, maybe going back and trying the stock antenna, and adjusting it for the specific UHF range that I want to listen to (the antenna will be about 1 foot in length), I will record how that performs.

 

[IAmSixNine]

It was recommended that I try something like that under the mag mount on my Spectrum Force antenna. I didn't notice much difference when I did that. But, the way that I have it right now is that the antenna is fixed to the frame of my mini-blinds housing, which I think is steel, and is about 5 feet long (runs the width of the window opening). The antenna runs horizontally in the That does seem to help as opposed to when I just had it sitting on the window frame.

Interesting its working well horizontally and not vertically.
Do your windows have any form of tint? many tinted windows have small amounts of lead to block solar radiation (i think that is correct) as this was brought up in many cellular forums. So you may be getting better reception up high like that due to your antenna not being directly in the path of the window. But ultimately 2-way radio systems are vertically polarized so having your antenna horizontally would on a technical level make the antenna less effective.

 

[Reconrider]

It was recommended that I try something like that under the mag mount on my Spectrum Force antenna. I didn't notice much difference when I did that. But, the way that I have it right now is that the antenna is fixed to the frame of my mini-blinds housing, which I think is steel, and is about 5 feet long (runs the width of the window opening). The antenna runs horizontally in the That does seem to help as opposed to when I just had it sitting on the window frame.

Hmm. Very odd it's working better for you the wrong way lol
But I've seen it happen myself with a few frequencies which confused me

 

[bob550]

I'm using a Moonraker Sky Scan Desktop antenna,
is not too bad.

You're gonna need a bigger desk!

 

[paramedic228]

Interesting its working well horizontally and not vertically.
Do your windows have any form of tint? many tinted windows have small amounts of lead to block solar radiation (i think that is correct) as this was brought up in many cellular forums. So you may be getting better reception up high like that due to your antenna not being directly in the path of the window. But ultimately 2-way radio systems are vertically polarized so having your antenna horizontally would on a technical level make the antenna less effective.

I am trying to chart all of the different scenarios and I am far from complete. While I spend quite a few hours a day and in the evening sitting here listening for activity, I don't know if I am missing radio traffic, or if it is just non-existent.

 

[bob550]

You can get some idea of what you should be receiving by studying the RR Database for your area. Coverage maps for various systems, while not a guarantee, will show whether you are within the radio system's transmission area.

 

[ka3jjz]

Being indoors, don't be afraid to move the antenna around to see if it works better in another spot. At UHF and above even moving it a few inches might make all the difference

Mike

 

[shansmi]

I am using a powered antenna (amplified) from Inland (AN-5008). There is a REM-800B beside it as well that I use from time to time mainly to compare with the SDS100.

 

[paramedic228]

You can get some idea of what you should be receiving by studying the RR Database for your area. Coverage maps for various systems, while not a guarantee, will show whether you are within the radio system's transmission area.

Its not that I don't know what is in the area, but instead why I am not receiving the channels on my favorites list, which are our primary and fireground channels for my agency. I have a handheld radio that I can also listen to these channels. However, I want to see what the scanner is capable of receiving. My Kenwood NX-300 (a digital transceiver), is somewhat similar to the department issued radios that we use. All of our channels, except for a few are full NXDN. (I do have the key in all of my scanners) I do hear traffic some of the time, just not on all of the channels.

 

[shansmi]

Its not that I don't know what is in the area, but instead why I am not receiving the channels on my favorites list, which are our primary and fireground channels for my agency. I have a handheld radio that I can also listen to these channels. However, I want to see what the scanner is capable of receiving. My Kenwood NX-300 (a digital transceiver), is somewhat similar to the department issued radios that we use. All of our channels, except for a few are full NXDN. (I do have the key in all of my scanners) I do hear traffic some of the time, just not on all of the channels.

Well even changing from the stock antenna to the REM-800B (with a 90 or cable etc) or the mate that has the flex 90 will help tremendously. It did for me. Indoors the stock antenna did not do very well for me. That part was rather disappointing but once up on the powered antenna, things have been rocking. I can pull in things from a county over. For me living near Plano, I can get Rockwall CO and Dallas CO now with ease.

 

[bob550]

I am using a powered antenna (amplified) from Inland (AN-5008). There is a REM-800B beside it as well that I use from time to time mainly to compare with the SDS100.

And you're using the cymbals as parabolic reflectors?

 

[shansmi]

And you're using the cymbals as parabolic reflectors?

no, just another expensive hobby.