Best "travel" scanner antenna...?

[LIScanner101]

I tend to travel to California a at least one week out of every month on business and would like the ability to use a scanner in the hotel. I always get a “high floor” room so I’m elevated enough to get a good signal.

Can anyone recommend a portable antenna? I understand that CA Highway Patrol is still on low-band, but there are also a lot of UHF and trunked UHF bands to listen to.

I will be mainly in San Francisco, San Jose (Silicon Valley area) and Los Angelos.

I was thinking about a “duck”, but I am open to an antenna that I could put near a window and connector to my scanner with a length of coax (say about 10’), so I could get a better signal. The antenna has to be able to fit lengthwise inside a “normal” suitcase, or can be taken down if need be.

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[vagrant]

I like the Diamond RH77CA. It plays double duty for me as I also use it to TX on 2M/440 with an HT. For RX, it covers a lot of bands. I think it is around $20. No regrets, I would purchase it again. You can also pick up one of those suction cup BNC mounts to keep the antenna right on the window. It has BNC connectors on both ends. In fact, it might have enough coax for you. The one I have uses two suction cups, so that it doesn't rotate.

 

[popnokick]

This antenna will roll up and fit in your suitcase because it is practically all wire. Just take it out of the suitcase, unroll, and hang it vertically from the curtain rod in the window or balcony door. Keep it away from the metal frame if you can.
This will cost about $8-$10 to make, less if you happen to have the parts laying around. You could even wait until you arrive, walk into a home store, hardware, or Wal-Mart and make it from parts you buy when you get there! What am I talking about? This -

Homebrewed Off-Center Fed Dipole - The RadioReference Wiki

(The second one pictured; Variation made of hookup wire and a cheap 75 to 300 ohm TV antenna transformer,) How well does it work? Search OCFD or "off-center fed dipole" here on RadioReference and read what others have said. Not bad for an antenna that costs less than hotel drycleaning and rolls up in your suitcase!

 

[pinballwiz86]

Get a telescoping antenna. You'll get a lot better performance over a rubber ducky and it takes up hardly any room. I use the Radioshack center-loaded whip on my BC125AT and it works better than my more expensive Diamond SRH77CA antenna on my BC346XT. At least for civil aviation.

 

[prcguy]

I found one of these on Ebay for about $60 and I would rate it the best travel scanner antenna I've come across. See: Welcome to Radio Reconnaissance Technologies

I use mine with an AOR8200 and it does really well on VHF/UHF plus I sometimes use it on HF while camping and it does a surprisingly good job there. They are expensive new but if you get one surplus for a good price it will be your best travel friend.
prcguy

 

[Rt169Radio]

Depending on what kind of scanner you have I would either get the Diamond RH77CA (BNC) or the SRH77CA (SMA). You could attach it to a window suction mount and have it near a window. Or maybe you could get a small mag-mount antenna and use stick it on something metal when your in a hotel?

http://www.scannermaster.com/Duckie_Suction_Mount_with_BNC_p/13-540574.htm

 

[LIScanner101]

I found one of these on Ebay for about $60 and I would rate it the best travel scanner antenna I've come across. See: Welcome to Radio Reconnaissance Technologies

I use mine with an AOR8200 and it does really well on VHF/UHF plus I sometimes use it on HF while camping and it does a surprisingly good job there. They are expensive new but if you get one surplus for a good price it will be your best travel friend.
prcguy

Wow, $662 new on GSA contract price...!!! And only $60 on ebay? I gotta look for one on there! Thanks, I'll check into this. Specs look very broadband AND it's very packable.

 

[prcguy]

Found some of these expensive military scanner antennas a little cheaper than new, see: COOL COMM ITEMS | Murphy's Surplus

Scroll down the page to find "hanging countermeasures antenna", which is the Radio Recon Flexmaster. I still think its the best, most versatile travel SWL/scanner antenna.
prcguy