R30 External antenna

[bearcatrp]

Anyone using an external antenna for their R30? Seeing much difference? I put my D220R outside and see just a little difference compared to the antenna that comes with it.. Will be getting a full size discone in the near future but for now this is it.

 

[KB4MSZ]

An outdoor antenna should be quite a bit better, especially if mounted at roof height or more. The coaxial length should, of course, be kept to the minimum length possible if the frequency coverage will get into VHF/UHF.

 

[bearcatrp]

It’s roof height, barely. 25 feet of coax. Would have thought reception would have been allot better compared to same antenna in the house.

 

[iMONITOR]

Anyone using an external antenna for their R30? Seeing much difference? I put my D220R outside and see just a little difference compared to the antenna that comes with it.. Will be getting a full size discone in the near future but for now this is it.

What are you trying to accomplish? Are there signals you can't receive? What frequencies are you trying to improve? The IC-R30 is very sensitive. It's possible your D220R is overloading the receiver. Have you tried the attenuator? This will help reduce overwhelming strong signals, IE; FM broadcast stations, etc. Yet you'll still have the advantage of an outdoor antenna at a higher altitude. A larger discone could even make the problem worse.

 

[Ubbe]

The attenuator in a scanner are usually a 20dB one, way too much. It would be more useful if they made that a 10dB attenuator. It's always advisable when using external outdoor antennas to use a FM broadcast filter and a variable attenuator to adjust the level of attenuation, if its needed, to just when it doesn't de-sense the receiver any more, best reception quality possible. I always have a variable attenuator inline, just to check that I'm not overloading the receiver.

/Ubbe

 

[bearcatrp]

Was just comparing from some of the signals I knew from scanning in the house with the D220R. Nothing particular. P25 has always been good in the house and outside with the D220R. Air is just a little better on outside antenna.. Was just curious if someone did a personal test with a better antenna than my D220R. Am 20 minutes away from any radio station antenna so doubt any FM broadcast is causing any issue but could be wrong about that. Closest P25 is 20 minutes away, the other 2 are around 50 minutes away. Since I am at roof height, maybe I should extend the antenna another 5 feet to rule out the roof causing any issues. If I still get the same results, then I will start looking at filters. Appreciate your replies.

 

[jbm32]

I use one of those antennas indoors. You have to remember that it requires a groundplane.
I've got mine in front of a window, mounted on a mag mount, and that on a metal file cabinet.
You can use a cookie sheet, large pizza pan, or anything else that is metal. I also use a metal
bookcase I found at Walmart, for another mag mount antenna.

Receiving airports is very difficult if your not fairly close. Their antennas are made to transmit
to planes in the air and not to ground stations. You will have better luck with hearing aircraft
in the air.

If your really interested in Air, you will need to get an antenna that is specifically for that band,
and mount it as high as you can for better line of sight.

I hope this helps.

 

[iMONITOR]

Sirio WY 108-3N 108-137 MHz 200Watts 7dBi Air Band 3 Elements Yagi Antenna
Sirio WY 108-3N 108-137 MHz 200Watts 7dBi Air Band 3 Elements Yagi Antenna | eBay

 

[bearcatrp]

Looks nice but need a rotor with a yagi. Am leaning toward a Omni X but still not sure.

 

[iMONITOR]

Looks nice but need a rotor with a yagi. Am leaning toward a Omni X but still not sure.

Don't just go by looks. This antenna above will have some gain. You would only need a rotor if you're want to receive several airports from different directions. This is what is necessary to accomplish what you want.

While a big fan of the Omni X antenna and I have a MilTenna-Omni myself, the Omni's have no gain. I do not require any gain. It is tuned for the air bands however.

The MilTenna-Omni or Omni-X will likely not perform any better than the D220R which you already have. I own the D220R as you know, so I can compare them to one another. I'd give a slight edge in favor of the D220R, but not an earth shattering difference.

As Ubbe suggested you might need a FM-notch filter i.e. PAR FM Broadcast Filter:
PAR FM Broadcast Filter

Or if you want a smaller one with SMA connector:
FM Notch 88-108 MHz Band Stop Reject Filter for receivers SDR clean RX low noise 699903233716 | eBay

If you're simply planing on mounting it on a 1-story home it probably won't perform well. Try to get it up 30' if possible.

 

[iMONITOR]

Sirio WY 108-3N 108-137 MHz 200Watts 7dBi Air Band 3 Elements Yagi Antenna
Sirio WY 108-3N 108-137 MHz 200Watts 7dBi Air Band 3 Elements Yagi Antenna | eBay

NOTE: This air band antenna is for VHF, not UHF Mil-Air

 

[bearcatrp]

Thanks for the heads up on the omni x. The D220R is just my starter but it's really for my camping trips. Plus it was winter when I got back into scanning and wasn't going to mess around with an outdoor antenna. Figured sooner or later I will have to get into using filters. Once I figure out what I'm going to use for scanning above HF, I'll start looking into filters. Thanks again.

 

[iMONITOR]

Thanks for the heads up on the omni x. The D220R is just my starter but it's really for my camping trips. Plus it was winter when I got back into scanning and wasn't going to mess around with an outdoor antenna. Figured sooner or later I will have to get into using filters. Once I figure out what I'm going to use for scanning above HF, I'll start looking into filters. Thanks again.

I hear ya regarding working with outdoor antennas in the winter! MN is much worse than MI! BURRR...!!! Of course how it's too HOT!!!

 

[xms3200]

iMonitor, I see you recommend the Sirio WY 108-3N 108-137 MHz Yagi Antenna. My problem in trying to receive strictly VHF air band is I can't hear the RCAG sites. I am using the Icom A25C which is excellent for picking up planes over 150 miles away, I am seriously thinking about getting this antenna. What cable do you recommend, I am thinking LMR-400 for 25 foot run.

 

[iMONITOR]

iMonitor, I see you recommend the Sirio WY 108-3N 108-137 MHz Yagi Antenna. My problem in trying to receive strictly VHF air band is I can't hear the RCAG sites. I am using the Icom A25C which is excellent for picking up planes over 150 miles away, I am seriously thinking about getting this antenna. What cable do you recommend, I am thinking LMR-400 for 25 foot run.

I haven't actually used the Sirio. I point you to it as it's the only affordable yagi aircraft band antenna with some gain that I'm aware of. At VHF frequencies and that short of cable run I don't think coax would be a big factor. Do you have any RF obstacles between you and the RCAG sites?

 

[xms3200]

No obstacles, it is flat here in Cleveland, OH. FM transmitters are about 10 miles away (as the crow flies). I have tried the DPD and centrefire antennas on the roof, no help. That Sirio Yagi has some impressive specs. (it is even patented). Who do you recommend for cables

 

[bearcatrp]

I ended up with a Diamond discone for outside for now. About 30 feet in the air. Does pretty good so far.

 

[jte3470]

I have a 270 ft OCF dipole up about 25 ft that I use when I'm at home and listening. It works great with the IC R30. I mainly listen to my workplace which is UHF P25 trunked about 36 miles away.