Directional antenna for VHF/UHF/800 MHz for Renfrew

[DaveH]

Assembled dimensions are 75 cm high, 53 cm wide, 36 cm deep. Has a female F connector. Looks like it's a poor performer below 185 MHz as well as between 235 and 460 MHz. Not surprising since those aren't in the VHF/UHF TV bands.

Be that as it may...two people in this thread seem interested in using it for 850MHz. I don't have any specs. It looks sort of like a corner reflector, may be good for 10dBd or so. I found it useful for temporary use on that band.

Dave

And if it's not so good for that, could use it as a (gulp) TV antenna.

 

[Frankhappyg]

Why someone would spend hundreds of dollars on a scanner to connect it to a $20 antenna is disappointing.
A good scanner isn’t doing you any good with cheap accessories added to it.


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[mmisk]

Be that as it may...two people in this thread seem interested in using it for 850MHz. I don't have any specs. It looks sort of like a corner reflector, may be good for 10dBd or so. I found it useful for temporary use on that band.

Dave

And if it's not so good for that, could use it as a (gulp) TV antenna.

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Dave I have one TV connected to an outdoor antenna in order to receive 18 and 57 PBS from NY.
The off air picture quality is amazing.

Wonder what happened to 201-12 Camp Fortune? Is it possible they don't even know it is off line?

MM

 

[DaveH]

Sort of getting away from the topic but who said anything about having to use it on a multi-hundred dollar scanner...

Maybe it's a $15 SDR dongle or two.

I used it at the time for signal searching with an HH scanner which these days can be had a flea markets for <$25.

It is one more option, that's all.

Dave

 

[slicerwizard]

Be that as it may...two people in this thread seem interested in using it for 850MHz.

My comment was for anyone who might be considering this antenna. It will not perform well in the lower scanner bands (118-174, 400-470), so don't get it for Fleetnet, OnQ, etc.

I don't have any specs. It looks sort of like a corner reflector, may be good for 10dBd or so. I found it useful for temporary use on that band.

It has good performance on the 700/800/900 bands. 10 to 20 dB over a tuned monopole.

It will not hold up to the weather for too long though. I'd suggest it for temporary use as well as RDFing. I appreciate your recommending it.

 

[mmckenna]

Why someone would spend hundreds of dollars on a scanner to connect it to a $20 antenna is disappointing.
A good scanner isn’t doing you any good with cheap accessories added to it.

It was suggested as a cheap test solution to see if a higher gain directional antenna would pull the site in, not as a permanent solution.

 

[DaveH]

My comment was for anyone who might be considering this antenna. It will not perform well in the lower scanner bands (118-174, 400-470), so don't get it for Fleetnet, OnQ, etc.


It has good performance on the 700/800/900 bands. 10 to 20 dB over a tuned monopole.

It will not hold up to the weather for too long though. I'd suggest it for temporary use as well as RDFing. I appreciate your recommending it.

Agreed, it's lightweight tubing and plastic, but can be held and pointed with one hand.

I'll just throw in another TV antenna idea...smaller pre-amplified ones. Have not tried for LMR but based on earlier experience with mast-mounted TV pre-amps, RX overload could be a problem. Anyone?

https://www.factorydirect.ca/philips-sdv8622t-18db-hdtvuhfvhf-inout-antenna-rb

I had one of these propped up in a window but unfortunately it fell and whacked against some hard wood and stopped working...

Dave

 

[IdleMonitor]

Looks like the signal to Camp Fortune wasn't about my antenna at all and the site was just down for a little while as per the conversation in another thread.


Now to be able to see if I can hear that site ok now. When I analyze it, it seem to be giving me the info on it, so I should be good with that now.

 

[IdleMonitor]

What type of cheap rotor could I get already in Canada so I can maybe take a look at trying this out when it warms up?

I also forgot, I do have access to an old directional tv antenna. No idea what make or model it is. But I could possibly try to use that as well. But this antenna certainly looks like something to invest in cheaply and yes I know all about signals are all in the size of the antenna. Please, bare with me. SpectrumForce Yagi Base, 400-960Mhz 7dBi | Scanner Master

I only need an antenna and rotor really to really to focus in on UHF/800 Mhz. Splitting those off from the discone wouldn't bother me I don't think.

Lastly, a splitter, what can I look at to be able to feed 2 antennas (1 discone, and 1 directional on a rotor) to 1 scanner reliably, and cover all my frequency limits.

 

[DaveH]

What type of cheap rotor could I get already in Canada so I can maybe take a look at trying this out when it warms up?

I also forgot, I do have access to an old directional tv antenna. No idea what make or model it is. But I could possibly try to use that as well. But this antenna certainly looks like something to invest in cheaply and yes I know all about signals are all in the size of the antenna. Please, bare with me. SpectrumForce Yagi Base, 400-960Mhz 7dBi | Scanner Master

I only need an antenna and rotor really to really to focus in on UHF/800 Mhz. Splitting those off from the discone wouldn't bother me I don't think.

Lastly, a splitter, what can I look at to be able to feed 2 antennas (1 discone, and 1 directional on a rotor) to 1 scanner reliably, and cover all my frequency limits.

Not bad, though it strikes me as a single-band repurposed TV antenna, partly due to its F connector, and
looks like a 75-ohm antenna.

Overall cost CDN$50-$60 all factors considered.

7dBi sounds low, compared to Sinclabs SRL406 (10dBd) with 7 elements. Not sure what the gain is at 850MHz
where you need it.

7dBi is <5dBd. dBd is the more useful reference for LMR (in my view). dBi inflates gain by 2.14dB.

Using high-loss coax could burn whatever gain it gives. RG6/U is not bad, would give 3dB for 50 feet.

May be worth a try though.


Dave

 

[VA3JPX]

I recently bought this one from Princess Auto.

Digital Amplified HDTV Outdoor Antenna | Princess Auto

Let me tell you this... IT WORKS! A couple of other things to note are...

1. Very cheaply made. Be very careful with it when assembling it
2. Do not use it out doors

I have it mounted in my shack. It works well. Mind you, I have only had it up and running for 2 days. I will report here if there are any issues.

It pulls in 800 MHz P25 (Ottawa) really good when pointing it at either of the 2 sites.

Again, this antenna is built very cheap. Use extreme caution when building and handling it. Also, there are no "stop" sensors when it rotates, so you need a visual on it when you want to rotate it.

 

[Frankhappyg]

Could’ve got a solid Wilson Yagi Antenna 700/800 MHz for another $10.


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[VA3JPX]

Could’ve got a solid Wilson Yagi Antenna 700/800 MHz for another $10.

True, however the shipping costs would render it more than I have chosen to set aside for the purchase.

Like I said, it works. That is most important to me.

 

[Frankhappyg]

True, however the shipping costs would render it more than I have chosen to set aside for the purchase.

Like I said, it works. That is most important to me.

Ontario doesn’t have stores that carry scanner related products?
Never been there so I’m not familiar.
Glad it works for ya.
To bad it’s so flimsy to mount it outside to extend your listening beyond


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[DaveH]

Ontario doesn’t have stores that carry scanner related products? Never been there so I’m not familiar. Glad it works for ya. To bad it’s so flimsy to mount it outside to extend your listening beyond

I think you're not getting the picture.

Getting anything shipped from U.S. we have to pay: exchange rate, shipping, taxes (not sure if
any duty applies). People need to dance around to avoid getting slapped with absurd "brokerage"
charges from UPS, Fedex etc. I recall getting a cheap reburb Uniden scanner for $57 ($CDN at the
time was at $1.05), then getting a $27 Fedex bill. I had asked for it to be shipped USPS at least
to the border.

Ottawa is fairly large but population doesn't support much if any "scanner" sales per se. Toronto and
Montreal are closest. Company near Toronto which sold scanners (as well as ham and other electronics) recently
closed shop. Price/selection does not always work out. Not much competition within Canada.

Main point is, product is available locally and any problems can be resolved locally; and the
user seems happy so far, caveats stated.

I just remembered I have a Sinclabs SRL406 7-el. yagi waiting to go up sometime...wondering if
that would be good enough?

Dave

 

[Frankhappyg]

I think you're not getting the picture.

Getting anything shipped from U.S. we have to pay: exchange rate, shipping, taxes (not sure if
any duty applies). People need to dance around to avoid getting slapped with absurd "brokerage"
charges from UPS, Fedex etc. I recall getting a cheap reburb Uniden scanner for $57 ($CDN at the
time was at $1.05), then getting a $27 Fedex bill. I had asked for it to be shipped USPS at least
to the border.

Ottawa is fairly large but population doesn't support much if any "scanner" sales per se. Toronto and
Montreal are closest. Company near Toronto which sold scanners (as well as ham and other electronics) recently
closed shop. Price/selection does not always work out. Not much competition within Canada.

Main point is, product is available locally and any problems can be resolved locally; and the
user seems happy so far, caveats stated.

I just remembered I have a Sinclabs SRL406 7-el. yagi waiting to go up sometime...wondering if
that would be good enough?

Dave

Well that sucks.
Guess not every where you can just hop in a car and go get what ya need.
As for the Sinclair Yagi I would think mounted on the roof you should be golden.


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