Inconspicuous Base Antenna

[mjthomas59]

Hey guys i'm looking for some opinions on a setup for a base antenna. I'm pretty limited in what i can do due to subdivision restrictions, money restrictions, etc etc but here is what i'm thinking.

I can't mount a huge scantenna on my roof so my thought is going with a Larsen or Maxrad 5/8wave VHF mobile antenna mounted on top of my roof near the chimney. I need something that is stainless so i don't have to worry about rust. I think if i go with a black whip it won't be visible from the street but it will be up high enough to still recieve well. I'd love to go with a discone but i don't think it is an option. My primary interests are VHF HI and VHF Lo so i'm thinking that a 5/8wave should do the trick.

I"m also wondering what kind of coax to run? The run will be approximately 50 feet, possibly 75(i haven't measured yet) and will terminate to a BNC connector. I'm also pondering adding a 2nd antenna for 800mhz that i can switch over to if i want to hear the towns around me that are on those types of systems. The 800mhz antenna may be something i just add later on down the line. I'm also wondering what is the best way to secure the coax on the roof. I will most likely just run it down the backside of the roof and down through a windown and into my bedroom/listening post.

Thanks for the help! And also, is there anything else i should be considering buying to keep everything safe?

 

[SAR923]

Google for "Ventenna". I think it's much more what you're looking for. The problem with a mobile antenna is that it needs a ground plane and your roof doesn't provide one.

 

[trooperdude]

Venttenna is a good choice.

There are also some mobile antennas that require no ground plane and
may be suitable for your use.

Many many years ago, I actually used a Larson 5/8th wave VHF, screwed into the metal rain gutter (which was grounded to earth ground), and it worked relatively well.

 

[wjf]

Probably more out of boredom than necessity, I bought a Radio Shack scanner antenna (RS 20-176) and put it in my garage attic.

I am blown away with it's performance. Best $25 I ever spent.

 

[jwile20vt]

Probably more out of boredom than necessity, I bought a Radio Shack scanner antenna (RS 20-176) and put it in my garage attic.

I am blown away with it's performance. Best $25 I ever spent.

i agree i bought one of these after reading a thread on here about the 20-176 and honestly for the cost of rg-6 and the 25$ for the antenna its worth a shot ...

..if u already have coax makes it better , for 25$ i am also blown away with its performance with my 785d and mines not installd on a mast . I have mine on top floor roof outside my room's window securd with some fishing line hanging like a flowerpot with a few pieces of line to secure it from blowing around .

give it a shot

 

[mjthomas59]

How does that antenna do on 800mhz? Also what type of coax would you all recommend? RG-6? or is RG-58 ok?

 

[wjf]

How does that antenna do on 800mhz? Also what type of coax would you all recommend? RG-6? or is RG-58 ok?

I does just "ok" on 800 mhz. I get what I need out of it, but wish I could get more.

Rat Shack will sell you 25 feet of RG6 for $12 or something like that.

 

[n5usr]

Also what type of coax would you all recommend? RG-6? or is RG-58 ok?

I'd go at least with the RG-6. You are going to lose a LOT of an 800MHz signal in RG-58 - 7dB (or 80% of your signal) in 50 feet! The same 50 feet of RG-6 will lose 4.4dB (63% loss).

Ideally, you would use something larger. RG-213 has 3.6dB (56%) loss on that run, and LMR-400 only 1.8dB (34%) loss. Of course, it's more noticeable so may not be desirable if you are putting a stealth antenna outside.

It would also depend on how strong the signals you want to receive are. If they are strong enough, you can handle more loss and use a thinner cable.

 

[Don_Burke]

With this setup, no matter which cable you choose, you will want to keep the cable length as short as practical. That may involve moving your listening post.

See if you can actually get your hand on a piece of RG-213 before you make your decision. It may be too stiff to route through the path you will need to follow.

 

[n8emr]

Dont overlook a satellite dish as "cover" for an antenna. I know someone who has a satellite dish on the peak of his roof, Behind sticking our behind the dish is a amplified scanner antenna. He has cable but satellite dishes are very common in his area so no one notices.
Hide in plane sight.


You can also get patriotic and put up a flagpole. PVC will hide lots of antenas.