condo which antenna ?

[usnasa]

hello all

I have a question I am currently living in brooklyn in a ground floor condo which doesnt allow outdoor antennas I am using a pro 2055 scanner with the stock antenna I would like to use maybe a mag mount antenna there is a window near my desk my question can i use any mag mount CB antenna with the bnc connector and if not which one would you recommend thats better than my stock antenna. I would like to listen to some frequiences in the 800 range and some aircraft ch's any help would be very greatful

thank you

 

[lanbergld]

Hello, here's my tip: I'm an SWL and VHF/UHF monitoring hobbyist. I live in a high-rise. So I never use outdoor antennas. The best indoor antenna for VHF/UHF that I've ever used (and still currently use) is Ebay item # 270279073598. (Copy, paste that number into Ebay search engine.)

Larry Lanberg
Richmond VA

AOR AR-2002
Palstar R30C

 

[usnasa]

thank you very much that looks nice but i am on the ground floor near a window does it have to be near a window ? or just stand it up and does it really work thanks

 

[lanbergld]

Hi, yes you're right indoor location can be an important variable. I use my indoor antennas right on a window. Yet -- they do work better than stock whip antennas when NOT on a window. But they seem to be their strongest right on the window. The reason I led you to that particular antenna is because I use many different ones & experiment with making my own. That one -- the one in the ad -- does very well an ALL of the VHF/UHF bands. (Others just do well on 2 meters, others are better around 160 MHz, etc.)

Try it out. I have a ton a various indoor antennas rigs -- the one in that ad is definitely top-notch for the entire range of 118 MHz - 900 MHz or so.

Larry Lanberg
Richmond VA

AOR AR-2002
Palstar R30C

 

[usnasa]

thank you i will give a try

 

[lanbergld]

You're very welcome. That's how I found out which antennas work best -- by giving different ones a try! Many folks will say things like, "If you live in a condo or apartment you have my sympathy", but believe me I get all over the world using simple indoor antennas. On shortwave I can easily listen to airports over in Europe. I know people with large outdoor dipoles that can't do that unless conditions are just right. Just have to experiment a lot.

Larry Lanberg
Richmond VA

AOR AR-2002
Palstar R30C

 

[blueangel-eric]

How does that antenna work? Is it just a 300ohm tv wire jpole inside that pipe or what? How broad banded is it?
Eric Burris

Hello, here's my tip: I'm an SWL and VHF/UHF monitoring hobbyist. I live in a high-rise. So I never use outdoor antennas. The best indoor antenna for VHF/UHF that I've ever used (and still currently use) is Ebay item # 270279073598. (Copy, paste that number into Ebay search engine.)

Larry Lanberg
Richmond VA

AOR AR-2002
Palstar R30C

 

[k9rzz]

Hey! It says on the Ebay description that it will even work with my Philco scanner from 1947 !!

Whoooot !!

 

[lanbergld]

Hi, Well I haven't opened-up that particular tube J-pole, but I have have bought & used several of his other antennas. Typically, on non-J-pole PVC tube antennas he sells, 22 AWG copper wire is helically wound round a long wooden dowel rod inside. But again, I don't want to bust this particular J-pole by opening it up. (You'd have to break it...he makes these things rock solid & very well-soldered). I'll try to answer your question by telling you the following:

I have several other models of his. He sells a 24" J-pole that, on my radio, really really REALLY peaks the 800 MHz transmissions. But that one isn't the best for, say, VHF Aircraft or even 2-meters.

He also sells a Brass Slinky that I myself hard-wired into a banana plug, which I insert into a UHF-BNC adapter & right into the back of the scanner. Now, that one really rules on VHF Aircraft & down to Citizens Band. I'm talking a 2x increase on my S-meter (which the AR-2002 has) over other external scanner antennas. But it will not be best for, say, > 400 MHz.

Long story short, the 30" J-pole I recommended to the other viewer has done me extremely well on ALL of the bands from 118 Mhz - 900 MHz. I don't have to 'switch' antennas, in other words, when I jump to different bands.

I've used a lot of expensive (> $100) antennas in the past. I can attest that this man's handbuilt antennas are actually better those -- once a person learns which models are best on what particular bands. Experimentation is the key, and is what makes the radio hobby dynamic. Those antennas I mention, although inexpensive, are extremely well-built. They might look like toys or something but they are not. One time I tried attaching one to the outside of my window. It fell 12-stories down to the concrete. I went down & found it -- in the very same condition as before it fell all those flights!

That's the best way I can answer the question & I hope I answered it well enough.

Larry Lanberg
Richmond VA

AOR AR-2002
Palstar R30C

 

[Stretch5]

Hello, here's my tip: I'm an SWL and VHF/UHF monitoring hobbyist. I live in a high-rise. So I never use outdoor antennas. The best indoor antenna for VHF/UHF that I've ever used (and still currently use) is Ebay item # 270279073598. (Copy, paste that number into Ebay search engine.)

Larry Lanberg
Richmond VA

AOR AR-2002
Palstar R30C

I am a novice.....will this antenna work with this scanner ?

http://www.rfwiz.com/Scanner/UnidenBearcat_BC120XLT.htm

 

[usnasa]

what do you think of this one from radio shack

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...er/HAM&allCount=24&parentPage=family