Digital Antenna Vs Analog

[Tryceleon525]

I don't think there has much difference between digital vs Analogue Antena.

 

[N8IAA]

These antennas apparently receive and not receive simultaneously whereas a digital antenna only receives ones and zeros.

How can you not read sarcasm and a little bit of fun in that answer??
Larry

 

[N8IAA]

I don't know a lot about this and try not to make a jerk out of me but I feel it coming. You sound like you know what your talking about. I listen to my Home Patrol and hear the digital signal from the Sheriff of Sussex County New Jersey and the New Jersey State Police Trunking that I don't know if its digital. This is being heard while using my RS Discone antenna. When I hook up my Diamond x510 2meter 440 ham antenna I don't get the State Police Trunking or the Digital Sheriff signals. This Diamond is 30 feet higher and using better LMR-400 CABLE. Is there a reason? How can I get these signal better on my discone? Thanks Ron

The way you find out is by going to the RR database, click on NJ, and click on your county. If it says APCO P-25, you'll know that it is digital. You will also be able to see the frequencies.
But using a dual band antenna, which is not meant for 800MHz, will not improve the signal from the trunk system. That is why your discone works. It might also be feeding too much signal and overloading the radio.
Larry

 

[cbehr91]

Dover is in Morris County, not Sussex.

Morris County, New Jersey (NJ) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Furthermore, Dover PD is on the Morris County Public Safety trunking system:

Morris County Public Safety Trunking System, Morris County, New Jersey - Scanner Frequencies

 

[darticus]

Ron,

Digesting down the conversation, you indicate you have a X510 antenna (8 dB gain at 144-148 MHz, and 11.7 dB gain at 440-450 MHz). You are trying to hear P25 signals on 154.845 and 155.430 MHz [Sussex Sheriff], and on the 851.0-861.0 MHz band [NJSP] using a high-gain antenna that is not designed for the frequencies you are trying to receive.

The Discone antenna is a low-gain antenna designed to cover a very broad range of frequencies. If you are hearing both systems on your Discone, then terrain isn't a big a factor as you may think. The x510's lack of resonance at the frequencies that you want to receive is the key factor.

Hope this helps.

Don

All great answers. Now I know where the frequencies are that I'm trying to hear that I didn't know I can get working on an antenna that will get the frequencies. Either boosting my discone or getting a different antenna which is better. Any suggestions of what might be better and get both frequencies. Thanks All Ron

 

[mmckenna]

All great answers. Now I know where the frequencies are that I'm trying to hear that I didn't know I can get working on an antenna that will get the frequencies. Either boosting my discone or getting a different antenna which is better. Any suggestions of what might be better and get both frequencies. Thanks All Ron

The benefit to a discone antenna is that they have an extremely wide usable bandwidth, however they have zero gain. They are useful for a scanner listener when there is a strong signal present, and they are useful if you are going to need an antenna that will transmit on many different frequencies.

If you are trying to receive something in the 700-800MHz band, you will get much better performance from an antenna that is specifically designed to work on those frequencies and has some gain. Getting yourself a wide band 700-800MHz base antenna with a couple of dB of gain will probably help your reception quite a bit.

 

[darticus]

The benefit to a discone antenna is that they have an extremely wide usable bandwidth, however they have zero gain. They are useful for a scanner listener when there is a strong signal present, and they are useful if you are going to need an antenna that will transmit on many different frequencies.

If you are trying to receive something in the 700-800MHz band, you will get much better performance from an antenna that is specifically designed to work on those frequencies and has some gain. Getting yourself a wide band 700-800MHz base antenna with a couple of dB of gain will probably help your reception quite a bit.

Thanks very much I agree. Ron

 

[Jimru]

"These antennas apparently receive and not receive simultaneously whereas a digital antenna only receives ones and zeros."



HUH? Antennas are in affect just metal wire that is energized by the RF energy which creates currents in the wire and transmitted to the receiver.



The receiver itself determines if it analog or digital signal imposed on the incoming RF.





Zeros & Ones?? Come On now!

I think he was being "tongue in cheek" with that remark, not serious!

 

[Jimru]

Ron,
In order to better enjoy your hobby and to get the most out of it; might I suggest you click on this link to the Radio Reference Wiki:

http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Main_Page

Read everything. Learn the basic concepts of radio communications and of the scanning hobby. Then when you ask a question, you won't feel overwhelmed by the terminology and jargon being used by those of us that know more than you.
Also, go to this Radio Reference primer on how to use this very informative site in a comprehensive way:

http://forums.radioreference.com/new-user-getting-started-forum/

Enjoy!!

 

[kroorda]

To Clarify:
The radio wave (frequency) is NOT digital.
What is 'digital' is the information (sound, data, etc.) that is being carried on the radio wave.

 

[majoco]

What Don K6CDO said +1.

 

[cmdrwill]

To Clarify:
The radio wave (frequency) is NOT digital.
What is 'digital' is the information (sound, data, etc.) that is being carried on the radio wave.

Actually, the modulation, deviation, IS analog.

And, the antenna has NO way to determine if the signal is digital. Sales hype....

 

[salturano]

What is the best antenna for apco p25 narrow band

 

[kayn1n32008]

What is the best antenna for apco p25 narrow band

An antenna tuned for what ever frequency the system operates on.

 

[Voyager]

And, the antenna has NO way to determine if the signal is digital. Sales hype....

Same sales tactic as used in the 60s to sell "color TV antennas" - some even using colored aluminum elements. People saw through that one eventually, too.

 

[salturano]

800.00 to 870.00 mhz
Apco P25-2

 

[Ronaldski]

As mentioned in a few of the latter messages, essentially what we are saying is that there is no such thing as a digital antenna. Just a marketing ploy by retailers.

Reception issues, check your connections, is cable ground connected to the outside connector on both ends? Strange as it may seem I have seen this happen and personally, get a qtip and swab the connections with isopropyl alcohol to clean the connections.
Using the wrong cable feed line? Don't use RG58 or 59 cable either as those have high signal loss per foot. Generally RG6 works well, same prices and much less loss per foot.

If you get an antenna tuned for those 800 MHz bands be advised as you tune in frequencies farther away especially in the 154-155 MHz region and much more so the aircraft bands 108-137 MHz your reception for those WILL take a very noticeable hit!
If your in a simulcast county a better antenna will make the audio even worse since you will be pulling in more tower(s) that are broadcasting the same frequencies.

Also the higher in frequencies the LESS further it will travel. I have mine about 25 feet up and all flat land and for 800 MHz I can get the surrounding counties fine, the next counties it's hit-miss. Beyond that would have to wait for a tropospheric band opening.

One I have and been up for 25 years Diamond D-130J discone Product Reviews
I don't recommend radio shack versions that are cheaply made and don't stand up as well to years of service.

If you only listen to your own county you probably really don't need an outside antenna assuming all the agencies you want are digital. Not like before in analog days where you would try to pull in the frequencies from many miles away. Digital long as you can get say 3+ bars of signal consistently you would get your whole county.

 

[W8RMH]

What is the best antenna for apco p25 narrow band

You may want to read all the posts in this thread before asking questions.

 

[n5ims]

800.00 to 870.00 mhz
Apco P25-2

Any scanner antenna designed to work over the 800 to 870 MHz range would work. As this thread has stated several times, ignore the APCO P-25-2 part, the antenna only cares about frequency, not modulation type.

Translating this point to automobile fuel:

User1: What gas should I use for my Ford Truck?
User2: Standard grade gasoline generally works just fine.
User1: But my truck's a diesel?
User2: Why didn't you say that earlier. Typical diesel should be fine then.
User1: OK, thanks.

User3: But I drive mostly on the interstate.
User2: Doesn't matter, typical diesel should be fine.
User4: How about in town driving?
User2: Doesn't matter, typical diesel should be fine.
User5: My driving is rarely on any roads, just on my ranch, off road. What about there?
User2: Doesn't matter, typical diesel should be fine. You may qualify for some that isn't taxed, but the fuel would still be typical diesel, just without the road taxes being charged.
User6: What about my ...

 

[JoeyC]

You may want to read all the posts in this thread before asking questions.

Ya think??:lol::lol::lol: