topcop said:
Anyone have there thoughts on a base antenna Which one will work best.
Looking at getting an outside antenna what are your thoughts one with DB Gain or something else.
Any replys would be appreciated. Don't want to spend alot of money "wife might kill me" if you know what i mean lol.
thanks
Jeremy
There is no "Best" antenna.
In general no antenna covers all bands best.
If you have interest in one particulart band you shoudl get an antenna for that band.
If you want "all bands" then you have to get an all band antenna.
There are either discones or muti-element antennas (Like the Scan-Tenna). There are only So-So antennas, but that is about all you can expect with teh compromises of being all band.
You cable loss is likely to be much greater thna any antenna gain.
So (especially if you want 800 MHz) you are MUCH BETTER OFF putting your limited resources into good cable than a good antenna.
When it comes to receiving, you want your antenna to be as high as practical, away from structures and 'clutter', and to keep the antenna line as short as practical.
How high should you go?
As high as practical.
An extra 10 feet if you are low is invaluable, and extra 10 feet on a hill in the clear is worthless. There are no fixed and firm rules, but there are scientific principles in play.
Know what you are buying. Know the loss of the cable. Know the gain of the antenna.
Oh, and have fun!
