I need scanner antenna help

[desertscan]

I need advise for a new scanner antenna. After many many years its finally time to put my old ST2 to rest. It has become a victim of bad weather and old age. I need a new antenna and not sure which one to buy. I'm looking for one that's very good on 42.92 MHz and 42.64 MHz that's Imperial County CHP most other traffic is on RCS 850 - 860 MHz. I do listen to FD tone/page outs on 150's MHz and also 160's MHz for BLM during the holiday desert season. this will be mounted outside 20 ft high I might raise it to 25 ft. Any advise will be helpful and much appreciated. I do have a budget, I cant afford the $200 - $300 ones I've seen online.

Thank you.
John

 

[marksmith]

A good antenna on 800mz and 42mz does not exist. You need to pick one or the other to maximize, and then hope for the best with the oyher.

536/436/ws1095/996p2/996xt/325p2/396xt/psr800/396t/HP-1/HP-2 & others

 

[prcguy]

I think an Austin Spectra on an NMO base station adapter with radials cut for 150MHz would work fine. A stock Spectra is tuned around 33-35MHz and you can trim it to work better at 42MHz.
prcguy

 

[cmdrwill]

Del.

 

[chief21]

The OmniX from DPD Productions is often cited as the closest replacement for the no longer available ST-2, although I have no idea how it might work on VHF-Lo frequencies...

DPD Productions - Base & Mobile Antennas for Radio Scanners: VHF, UHF, NOAA, Low-Band, 700 MHz, Police, Fire, Public Safety

John

 

[gonefishn1]

Anyone here have experience with the DPD OmniX antenna? Good or bad?

 

[popnokick]

LOTS written about the OmniX here on RR. "Search" is your friend.

 

[mass-man]

For a bit now I am forced to have antennas inside...the Omni X made my scanning go from almost nothing to LOTS...huge difference on airband and VHF Hi-band. Noticeable on UHF!

Great antennas in my book....

While it has not been outside in the elements, etc...it looks as if it could survive! Very well made

 

[chief21]

Here is another model that was recently mentioned on another thread...

Multi-Band Vertical Dipole – Centerfire Antenna Mfg Co

John