I just purchased an SDS 200 scanner today. I’m wondering about an external mobile antenna that could be used with the scanner. I have a Wilson 5000 radio antenna already plumbed into the vehicle will this antenna work with a unit in 200 scanner? If not I am looking for recommendations on the best antenna to use I would like a fixed amount.
Looking for help with antenna selection for SDS 200
- Thread starter YozCo
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ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
What frequencies do you want to cover? If you just want to hear your local 800 Mhz trunks, a cellphone antenna will work just fine. What kind of vehicle (make/model)?. Do you have to worry about parking in a garage? Will you be taking the antenna on/off at times (in many urban areas that's almost a necessity)?
Mike
Mike
Hi & welcome to the RR forums!
What are your primary monitoring objectives? Could you please let us know specific agency(ies) you're looking to pick up? State/County/Municipality(ies) will help us tremendously so we can get eyes on the database for a picture of what/who you're trying to pick up and therefore make a recommendation for you
What are your primary monitoring objectives? Could you please let us know specific agency(ies) you're looking to pick up? State/County/Municipality(ies) will help us tremendously so we can get eyes on the database for a picture of what/who you're trying to pick up and therefore make a recommendation for you
Larsen Pulse 150/450/800 NMO. You can get a magnetic NMO base to mount it or if you don't mind drilling a 3/4" hole in your vehicle, then get a standard NMO mount.
Have used one of them for 15 or more years and they work very well.
Have used one of them for 15 or more years and they work very well.
Thank you for the reply’s so far. This is the first post I’ve ever made on any forum website. Let me give a little more information. The vehicle the scanner will be in is a heavy over the road semi truck. I do not mind mounting multiple antennas as this is a large bunk semi truck and there’s plenty of room for them to be spaced out if need be. It will travel all 50 states I will be utilizing the GPS feature with the scanner once I learn how to use it. I want to be able to use all the frequencies of the scanner at various times. With that said however we will mostly concentrate on highway patrol fire police and other first responder agencies in the cities we go through. Lastly the cab and sleeper compartment are constructed of aluminum. Just looking for the best antenna or antennas or system to cover all the frequencies the scanner can pull in. Thanks very much. Thank you for the
A Wilson 5000 is a CB antenna (26.965Mhz to 27.405 MHz). Basically a low band antenna. Not really suitable for a scanner antenna (unless all you want to monitor on your new 200 is CB....
Citizens Band (CB) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference
As people above have asked - what do you want to listen to? Or, if a wide range of agencies, a good wide band antenna may be the best option - this is mag mount, but something like this: Amazon.com
You also have to consider the connector. I'd bet you have a PL259 on that Wilson, right? And since it is "plumbed in", you'll have to replace that PL259 with a BNC or get some sort of adaptor.... (Or replace the coax)
Note: if you don't have a coax crimper, get someone that has the right tool to crimp a BNC for you.
Citizens Band (CB) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference
As people above have asked - what do you want to listen to? Or, if a wide range of agencies, a good wide band antenna may be the best option - this is mag mount, but something like this: Amazon.com
You also have to consider the connector. I'd bet you have a PL259 on that Wilson, right? And since it is "plumbed in", you'll have to replace that PL259 with a BNC or get some sort of adaptor.... (Or replace the coax)
Note: if you don't have a coax crimper, get someone that has the right tool to crimp a BNC for you.
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Aluminum is fine if you are OK with mounting an NMO mount. The Larsen 150/450/800 is ideal for that.
I just used that antenna and my month old SDS200 on a trip from Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California and back. Worked great.
I set service type to all 3 law enforcement types and all 3 fire types. Everything else off. Plugged the GPS (Uniden GPS 'kit') and never touched the radio except to turn off at night and on in the morning.
The only thing you need to be aware of is do not hook it to a 12v outlet that switches off with the ignition. Reason being the SDS200 and it's memory card are not happy with losing power and/or being turned on when the power returns.
Whoops! Forgot to add... You can buy an adapter for the output connector on the NMO mount to a BNC connector that the SDS200 used for its antenna input connector. Other thing, NEVER hook the SDS200 antenna connector to a cable also hooked to a radio transmitter such as the antenna used for a CB radio.
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highwayman1224
Member
Try your Wilson first, guarantee you'll hear plenty of stuff just fine. I drive a semi too and it doesn't take much of an antenna to enjoy the sds200.
I use this newer Larsen tri-band...the older version sucked. I own a copy of most tri band and single band 800 antennas, and found the Larsen to perform basicaly identically to my 1/800MHz 5/8 wave NMO antennas, and okie on VHF, and meh on UHF.
Any thoughts on the Compactenna Scan-III on a SDS100/200 or vs. the Larsen?
Any thoughts on the Compactenna Scan-III on a SDS100/200 or vs. the Larsen?
You basically can never go wrong with Larsen. They are (and have been for decades) the choice of professionals
Here are some other options that I'm looking at for a mobile SDS100 installation:
Browning BR-136
Browning BR-137
PCTEL Maxrad BMAXSCAN1000
PCTEL PCTWSLMR
Now if I just knew which one to purchase.....
Browning BR-136
Browning BR-137
PCTEL Maxrad BMAXSCAN1000
PCTEL PCTWSLMR
Now if I just knew which one to purchase.....
I've been using the older version of this product and it's always worked pretty good for me, I'll have to upgrade now! (I also have band-specific antennas on other NMO mounts).
Incidentally, I would also like to mention that when you drill 3/4" NMO mounts onto your vehicle, you can easily swap out antennas any time you want. It's very flexible. Also definitely avoid PL-259, get a BNC termination and you'll be good for VHF, UHF and/or 7/800.
I tested the old tri band vs the new triband, they really really made an improvement...like I said, the perfoemnace on 7/800 is basically identical to a dedicated 7/800 5/8 antenna.
What is the difference between a 3/4" and 3/8" NMO mount? The 3/8 requires a much smaller little hole, basically the size of a bolt.
Paul
What is the difference between a 3/4" and 3/8" NMO mount? The 3/8 requires a much smaller little hole, basically the size of a bolt.
Paul
Trucker700
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What model truck? You can use a mirror mount for your antenna. I used a Larsen Scanner antenna and an NMO to PL 259 base. I had to drill out the mount slightly as the standard hole in the mount was a bit smaller. Then, I ordered from Amazon, 10' of coax with a regular coax connector on one end and a BNC connector on the other end. No adapters needed.
James
AKA: Trucker
James
AKA: Trucker
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