DPD 800 MHz antenna installation

[galligan122]

I purchased a DPD 800 MHz antenna which should be delivered in a week or so. I ordered 100’ of times microwave LMN400 (n male n male connectors) cable and also coax seal tape.

I plan to run the LMN400 cable directly from the antenna (n female from antenna to n male cable) into my attached garage via a vent, then into the house. I have pre-existing holes drilled and don’t want to drill into my roof so this option seemed the most logical.

I like the idea for a clean look to have an N Female to N Female wall plate but those seem to be hard to find, unless I’m not searching correctly for what I need. any help on this?

From the wall I am going to use a short piece of LMN400UF (n male to n male) to go from the wall (hopefully) to the scanner.

Is there anything I am missing here that I would need?

Thanks!

 

[prcguy]

A shorter coax run? LMR400 has about 3.5dB loss for 100ft. How much gain is the antenna?

 

[galligan122]

A shorter coax run? LMR400 has about 3.5dB loss for 100ft. How much gain is the antenna?

7 dBi gain. The existing antenna mast is located on the west side of the house, due to where in the house the scanner is, I can’t shorten it much

 

[chief21]

Do a Google search for N-female pass thru connector for your double-female. Also, would suggest a smaller diameter coax (RG58 or mini8) from the wall to the scanner... much less stress on the scanner connection.

 

[galligan122]

Do a Google search for N-female pass thru connector for your double-female. Also, would suggest a smaller diameter coax (RG58 or mini8) from the wall to the scanner... much less stress on the scanner connection.

Thank you! My next question is, I just realized my antenna connection is BMC. I’ll need either an adapter, or a cable that is BMC male on one end and F Male on the other. Is one option better than the other?

 

[chief21]

Thank you! My next question is, I just realized my antenna connection is BMC. I’ll need either an adapter, or a cable that is BMC male on one end and F Male on the other. Is one option better than the other?

FYI... the term is BNC, not BMC. A cable with the correct connectors is probably preferable to an adapter. And why an F male? I thought you said that you were using N connectors.

 

[galligan122]

FYI... the term is BNC, not BMC. A cable with the correct connectors is probably preferable to an adapter. And why an F male? I thought you said that you were using N connectors.

thank you for the response! N connector is what I meant, unsure why I typed an F there. I will get a cable ordered today! Thanks again.

 

[ramal121]

Amazon has a few N F-F...

Amazon.com : connector n f-f bulkhead

 

[WA0CBW]

Don't forget the NEC requirements for grounding the antenna and coax shield as well as bonding all ground rods to the house main electrical panel ground rod.
Bill

 

[galligan122]

Amazon has a few N F-F...

Amazon.com : connector n f-f bulkhead

Thank you! What I envisioned was something like this in the wall, with only one N Female connection. Then running a cable with one end being a N male connector to hook to wall and the other end of the cable BNC male to the scanner. I just can’t seem to find exactly what I am looking for to make that happen.

 

[galligan122]

Don't forget the NEC requirements for grounding the antenna and coax shield as well as bonding all ground rods to the house main electrical panel ground rod.
Bill

Thank you Bill! That was actually another question that I intended on asking. The website says no ground plane necessary. I didn’t know if this meant they are saying I didn’t actually need to do that, and if so, if I should anyway. Thanks!

 

[galligan122]

Thank you Bill! That was actually another question that I intended on asking. The website says no ground plane necessary. I didn’t know if this meant they are saying I didn’t actually need to do that, and if so, if I should anyway. Thanks!

Thank you Bill!

 

[WA0CBW]

Typically a no ground "plane" antenna will use the coax shield as the "other half" of the antenna. In most cases a ground "plane" can improve their performance.

I would use N or PL259 connectors on everything and a small cable (RG316 or174) jumper to go from the LMR400 to the radio SMA(?).

BILL

 

[spectrumwatcher9736]

For the inside section of my antenna's feed line I used lmr240uf (ultra-flex) to run from the point of entry to the back of the scanner; n-male on one end and bnc-male to match the scanner on the other end. lmr400 is quite stiff and I did not want that directly attached to the radio.

 

[chief21]

I just can’t seem to find exactly what I am looking for to make that happen.

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Trisewenic-Bulkhead-Connector-Coaxial-Connectors/dp/B0C372DZKP/ref=asc_df_B0C372DZKP/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693470127118&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13595367874164749599&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010331&hvtargid=pla-2245602604288&psc=1&mcid=c8b67521019835dab9ec8afe911389fc

Another alternative would be to use an N female to N female thru the wall type, with an N male to BNC female adapter.

 

[KevinC]

Not that it really matters, but what antenna do you actually have? The thread title shows "DBD 800" and the first post shows "DBM 800". Neither of those is an actual antenna as far as I know.

 

[KevinC]

Not that it really matters, but what antenna do you actually have? The thread title shows "DBD 800" and the first post shows "DBM 800". Neither of those is an actual antenna as far as I know.

Going out on a limb and guessing it's this one...

800 MHz UHF Vertical Outdoor Base Antenna (851-869 MHz)

Specs Gain: 7 dBi SWR: 1.5:1 or Less on Center Pattern: Omni-directional Wavelength: Multiple 1/2 Tuned: 851-869 MHz Band: 800 MHz Safety Connector: N Female Cable: RG8X Cable Length: 24 Inches Height: 57" Width: 1 1/4" Weight: 2 lb Wind Area: 0.50 Sq Feet Features Ready Made...

dpdproductions.com

If so I'll fix the thread title and first post.

 

[galligan122]

Do a Google search for N-female pass thru connector for your double-female. Also, would suggest a smaller diameter coax (RG58 or mini8) from the wall to the scanner... much less stress on the scanner connection.

Not that it really matters, but what antenna do you actually have? The thread title shows "DBD 800" and the first post shows "DBM 800". Neither of those is an actual antenna as far as I know.

Sorry, it’s this antenna

Going out on a limb and guessing it's this one...

800 MHz UHF Vertical Outdoor Base Antenna (851-869 MHz)

Specs Gain: 7 dBi SWR: 1.5:1 or Less on Center Pattern: Omni-directional Wavelength: Multiple 1/2 Tuned: 851-869 MHz Band: 800 MHz Safety Connector: N Female Cable: RG8X Cable Length: 24 Inches Height: 57" Width: 1 1/4" Weight: 2 lb Wind Area: 0.50 Sq Feet Features Ready Made...

dpdproductions.com

If so I'll fix the thread title and first post.

I apologize, this is the antenna.

800 MHz UHF Vertical Outdoor Base Antenna (851-869 MHz)

Specs Gain: 7 dBi SWR: 1.5:1 or Less on Center Pattern: Omni-directional Wavelength: Multiple 1/2 Tuned: 851-869 MHz Band: 800 MHz Safety Connector: N Female Cable: RG8X Cable Length: 24 Inches Height: 57" Width: 1 1/4" Weight: 2 lb Wind Area: 0.50 Sq Feet Features Ready Made...

dpdproductions.com

 

[galligan122]

For the inside section of my antenna's feed line I used lmr240uf (ultra-flex) to run from the point of entry to the back of the scanner; n-male on one end and bnc-male to match the scanner on the other end. lmr400 is quite stiff and I did not want that directly attached to the radio.

Thank you! How did you choose to go from LMR 400 to LMR240uf? As far as what adapter, and how did you make it look neat coming into the house? Thanks!

 

[galligan122]

T

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Trisewenic-Bulkhead-Connector-Coaxial-Connectors/dp/B0C372DZKP/ref=asc_df_B0C372DZKP/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693470127118&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13595367874164749599&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9010331&hvtargid=pla-2245602604288&psc=1&mcid=c8b67521019835dab9ec8afe911389fc

Another alternative would be to use an N female to N female thru the wall type, with an N male to BNC female adapter.

Thank you! Is there one way or another that would lead to more / less loss?