Better antenna option

[WeBeCinYa]

Just relocated 35 miles from a P2 system that I really want to continue to monitor. The system is a 850MHz system.

After setting up shop at new home, my SDS100 picks up the system in the upstairs room. It is fitted with a Remtronix antenna.
My SDS200 on the other hand does not pick up even a speck of signal in same place or anywhere else in the home with stock antenna, which is surprising.

My question, is there an antenna that does the same as my Remtronix but more suitable for the 200? I’m trying not to add an external antenna if possible, as I’d like to know my 200 works at least a little bit before going the external investment route.

On the external options, please chime in with suggestions as well.

I am also looking to buy a Unication pager as well, I hear they do really well with distance.

 

[RetiredVolunteer]

Been happy with a Remtronix antenna on a SDS 200.

 

[jonwienke]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VHFFKCB/

 

[WeBeCinYa]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VHFFKCB/

Thanks Jon that was easy. Not expecting a ton of change but hope to get some.
Any suggestions for external mounted antenna? That whole topic is so confusing.

 

[nessnet]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VHFFKCB/

Just got mine today.

 

[rcool101]

I got one a few weeks ago for my 200 from Scanner Master. Same price and free shipping. Very satisfied. Prolly get another one for the 536

 

[jonwienke]

It sucks on VHF, but is great on the 800MHz band.

 

[WoodburyMan]

Copied from a local form. Our CLMRN system uses 700MHz and 800Mhz for a P25 PII system. Should work for you too.

I have it also set up with a 155mhz/450mhz antenna with a duplexer that works as a filter for me to have this antenna and a good VHF/UHF antenna to cover all bands (155mhz/450mhz/700-800Mhz). I have a few local 155/450 channels.

I have had great luck with these two antennas. They're made for 700-900 MHz 3G phone, but work great for CLMRN since it uses 700 and 800 MHz. I use the larger 8 Element at home and the smaller 7 element for portable use. Currently have it set up aiming out a window at work listening with my SDS100... The larger one is on my SDS200 at home. I use them to monitor CLMRN site A, L, I and also Waterbury which is also 800Mhz. I get 10db over a small REM whip antenna on my SDS100 when pointed the right way.

7 Element 16" Amazon.com: Phonetone 7/9dbi Outdoor Directional Yagi 698-960/1710-2700Mhz GSM Antenna with N Female Connector: ORPEY

8 Element 33" https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006H4FVM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You will also need a good N to SMA cable. This one works very well for me.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015ML4566/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[MisterLongwire]

Been happy with a Remtronix antenna on a SDS 200.

same here...have no need for really any external other than the Remtronix. If you want you can try an external antenna, however no need to go overboard monetarily- just a simple outdoor antenna will do. I have heard people using TV antennas. Have heard people using paperclips as well, hence no real need to go "overboard"

 

[Bob1955]

It sucks on VHF, but is great on the 800MHz band.

If you cannot mount an outside antenna, go with a HUSTLER MAGNETIC MOUNT scanner antenna with a BNC connector. Get a cookie tin and stick the antenna on the center. I have the Bearcat BCD-996P2 and reception is great on VHF high band factory antenna but a antenna by my window in the building made of concrete will be better. Also, the SDS-200 is NOT great on analog according to what users have reporter.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Also, the SDS-200 is NOT great on analog according to what users have reporter.

Neither is the SDS100. My amateur HTs outperform it on distant analog signals at times

 

[trentbob]

Just my two cents on this. That new back of set remtronix has great reviews but even the standard one is good for UHF 2 and 7 - 800 megahertz, not so much on VHF High.

When I couldn't have a rooftop I always mounted a simple VHF UHF 800 ground plane with 16-inch radials on a broom handle taped to a stand-up lamp with 10 to 20 feet of low loss coax. Jon has a good example of his discone.

When I moved into my house many years ago all I could think of was that now I can have a rooftop. If there's any way that you can put up a small ground plane as non-invasively as possible that's your best bet!

 

[WoodburyMan]

Copied from a local form. Our CLMRN system uses 700MHz and 800Mhz for a P25 PII system. Should work for you too.

I have it also set up with a 155mhz/450mhz antenna with a duplexer that works as a filter for me to have this antenna and a good VHF/UHF antenna to cover all bands (155mhz/450mhz/700-800Mhz). I have a few local 155/450 channels.

I just want to add to this is I have the Remtronics BNC and SMA for both my SDS100 and SDS200. These directional Yagi's outperform these by an order of magnitude more. i went from -105db on my strongest signal to -75 to -80db. Another site -110db hardly able to lock in to -90db. 3rd site I can pickup at -105db I couldn't get before. By their nature a directional yagi will just work better than those small omni directional rubber duckies. It also allows you to remotely position them. My SDS200 is on a shelf, and the directional Yagi is mounted on a tripod facing out a window. I would get better reception outside even. However if you get the system good enough with the Remtronix, a better signal may not be needed if you can get away with the smaller antenna. it just gives you more options.

 

[jonwienke]

Neither is the SDS100. My amateur HTs outperform it on distant analog signals at times

With both connected to the same antenna via a multicoupler, or each with their factory antenna?

 

[buddrousa]

REMTRONIX 800 MHz FLEX BNC Antenna | Scanner Master

REMTRONIX 800 MHz FLEX BNC Antenna

www.scannermaster.com

My ST2 antenna 30 foot on my Stridesberg Multicoupler has as good if not better on my SDSx00's as my 536's and 996p2's.

 

[WeBeCinYa]

I just want to add to this is I have the Remtronics BNC and SMA for both my SDS100 and SDS200. These directional Yagi's outperform these by an order of magnitude more. i went from -105db on my strongest signal to -75 to -80db. Another site -110db hardly able to lock in to -90db. 3rd site I can pickup at -105db I couldn't get before. By their nature a directional yagi will just work better than those small omni directional rubber duckies. It also allows you to remotely position them. My SDS200 is on a shelf, and the directional Yagi is mounted on a tripod facing out a window. I would get better reception outside even. However if you get the system good enough with the Remtronix, a better signal may not be needed if you can get away with the smaller antenna. it just gives you more options.

I'm not expecting to pick up a lot on the 200 even with the Remtronix that was suggested. My 100 gets at most -100 db with it's Remtronix. With that said, what directional Yagi would you recommend?

 

[WoodburyMan]

I'm not expecting to pick up a lot on the 200 even with the Remtronix that was suggested. My 100 gets at most -100 db with it's Remtronix. With that said, what directional Yagi would you recommend?

-100db for a P25 should be fine if you're putting it in the same location you have tested the SDS100 on. For your case, if the REM already has -100db, the smaller shorter Yagi would work just fine for you. No need for the 3ft long model there. However, I also use mine to pick up 8CAL90 and 8TAC channels a lot of interops use around here. The bigger antenna would help get further away stations. If you're mounting inside, I'd do smaller. If you are doing a permanent install outside, go big or go home I say and get the 3ft long one.

 

[WeBeCinYa]

I just ordered the Remtronix 830B for my 200. I am hoping to pick up the distant system, if not, not sure I will need the 200 after all.

 

[WeBeCinYa]

Well just tested the new 830B and no luck. Works great to pick up local P25 system but no signal on the distant one.

I believe I need to get a yagi outside up high to get the distant system. Fortunately they seem to be price reasonably so worth a try.

 

[jonwienke]

800MHz is more attenuated by foliage, terrain, etc than lower freqs, so picking up distant signals pretty much requires an antenna above the roofline, treeline, and local terrain features.