How bad is a TV antenna for scnner use?

[memphislawenforcer]

I have an old ( about 5 years) TV antenna in the attic from radio shack. How would the reception be compared to the stock antenna on a BC246t? Sorry if this was covered in the twelve pages on this topic but I cold not make myself look any longer. Thanks for the info.

 

[MacombMonitor]

Should be simple enough to try it! A few issues not in it's favor. It's horzontal, not vertical. It's optimized for TV frequencies. It's very directional. But it might be better than a sharp stick in the eye!

 

[SCPD]

TV antennas don't work well for scanning for a few reasons:

They cover some of the frequencies you need, but not all.

They are usually mounted horizontally and two-way signals are vertically polarized.

The coax or ribbon wire is not the correct impedance.

It might still work better than a little rubber duck antenna, just because it's mounted higher, but it's not ideal.

 

[memphislawenforcer]

I figure all I will need is a coax to bnc connector and a little cable there is an unused cable outlet behind my chair. Hook the antenna to the cable outlet screw the short length of cable onto the outlet bnc to the coax cable and the bnc to the scanner. I figure that all I will be out is the adaptor and could use it if I got a scanner antenna later.

 

[MacombMonitor]

I figure all I will need is a coax to bnc connector and a little cable there is an unused cable outlet behind my chair. Hook the antenna to the cable outlet screw the short length of cable onto the outlet bnc to the coax cable and the bnc to the scanner. I figure that all I will be out is the adaptor and could use it if I got a scanner antenna later.

Radio Shack carries the F-to-BNC adapters. Don't worry about the impedence either. 75 ohm TV coax works great with scanners.

 

[james32746]

I have one of those F to BNC connectors and I hooked up the coax tv cable to that from the 30db tv pre-amp the signals were like much better than using my 50 ohm radio shack scanner antenna (the one with one rod that sticks in the air and 3 rods sticking out) when I used my PRO-95 (now deceased) and PRO-96 on it but for some reason when I tried my BC-796D on it, it would not work properly and make horrible buzzing sounds during transmissions.

 

[MacombMonitor]

I have one of those F to BNC connectors and I hooked up the coax tv cable to that from the 30db tv pre-amp the signals were like much better than using my 50 ohm radio shack scanner antenna (the one with one rod that sticks in the air and 3 rods sticking out) when I used my PRO-95 (now deceased) and PRO-96 on it but for some reason when I tried my BC-796D on it, it would not work properly and make horrible buzzing sounds during transmissions.

Unidens typically have a more sensitive front end, and tend to overload easier, especially with antenna amplifiers. They used to say if you live in an RF saturated city, buy a Radio Shack (GRE), and if you lived in the suburbs, or country, buy a Uniden.

 

[TeRayCodA]

Tv antennas work great for scanning,IF you VERTICALLY polarize it.This usually requires drilling two 1/4" holes on the opposite side of the boom,and relocating the U-bolt assembly,and you basically have a "grove scannerbeam"

I ran a Pro-2022 for years with a cheapo Rat-Shack TV antenna.

Feed it with some good RG-6,and you will really be impressed!
The only drawback,is,it is directional.

 

[memphislawenforcer]

ok, let me make sure I understend what you are saying. the antenna that I have is mounted horazontally and it needs to be vertical? There is one, small about 12" wide x 18" long with 4 12" wide fins, boom comming off of it at a 45 degree downard angle, would that not be close to enough? I'm heading to Rat Shack now to get the connector I'll let you know what happens.

 

[TeRayCodA]

There is one, small about 12" wide x 18" long with 4 12" wide fins, boom comming off of it at a 45 degree downard angle, would that not be close to enough?

Hmm..I'm trying to visualize what type you have.I have just used an "old fashioned,all aluminum" TV antenna.

Yes,vertical.Land radio waves(in most cases)are vertically polarized.(sent through the air)

Without a doubt,anything is better than the factory stock "duck"
For a better idea of what I'm talking about,see:

http://www.antennawarehouse.com/Scanner/Scan-log.htm

Theirs has about an 18"extension support pipe,but I have always just drilled different mounting holes for the U-bolts,and mounted it that way with-out the support pipe.Still works fine.

 

[mgosdin]

TeRayCodA is right, a TV antenna can work quite well for scanning.

What I have is a Radio Shack U75R UHF antenna that I bought on clearance several years ago in a failed attempt at getting UHF out of Tulsa. ( 60+ miles away, it was just a little too far for the antenna. )

However, this same antenna does a great job scanning on 440 mhz out of Muskogee and a decent job on 150 mhz, way better than any of my rubber duck antennas. This is with it still in the original horizontal configuration, I've been too lazy to take the antenna down and drill the two holes to change it to a vertical orientation.

This is the fun part of scanning, trying out things. All you are out is the cost of an adapter and the time it takes to change the orientation. You may even learn something new.

Mark Gosdin

 

[memphislawenforcer]

very much like that one but the cross tubes (for lack of a better word) are angled and form a v at the main support or spine if the antenna. but whan I took it off of the pole that I have it mounted to in the attic U saw where you ment that I would need to drill 2 holes on the opposite side of the tube where it mounts. I just have it down now leaning on the pole vertically. The signal is much clearer on the county and I can pick up a city that was hit and miss before. All and all I think it will work out great. Thanks for all on the info.

 

[TeRayCodA]

Sounds like you're on the right track!Get it out,and up as high as practical(and as safe)and you'll hear things you never heard before.
Just use some good low loss RG-6,never RG-58,and the "F" to BNC adapter,-enjoy!

 

[memphislawenforcer]

That may be most of my problem I think I have r-58 for the whole run I need to invest. How much difference would it make over a 25-30 foot run?

 

[TeRayCodA]

I don't like RG-58,because it is just too lossy at just about everything over 10ft.lengths. And,almost all of the UHF freqs will suffer!

I only use it in mobile applications.

The RG-6 has less loss at higher UHF freqs,and is easier to install weatherproof "F" connectors on the ends.

 

[memphislawenforcer]

Ok I got it turned side ways and man is it hot in my attic! I have RG 6 run from the antenna with an F to BNC connector strait into the scanner. there is a noticeable improvement on everything especially the SCSO and Bartllett PD I think it was a 6 dollars well spent. Thanks for all of the help and passing on the knowledge.

 

[MacombMonitor]

Another "Do it yourself, with what you have!" success story! Good going!

 

[KE5FUL]

I have used a tv antenna on a 40' tower and 100' of rg6. It worked well for vhf high and low.

*I would have used a real scanner antenna at the time,but I was about 13 years old.*

JRed

 

[OTTER]

Verticle TV Antenna

I also use a tv antenna in my attic turned verticle. I use this for fm radio and it works great! I get stations that I can't even hear static on without it. For a $15. investment on closeout at wal-mart it was money well spent. If you have the room that is!