Antenna's
Hello Nodak1
Just wondering what type of antenna are you using ...
Thanks
TD
My antenna set up.
I have a (Very old) Radio Shack discone on the roof above my TV antenna, about 30 to 35 feet above ground. The cone part of the antenna is cut down to about half the Milair band. (2832 divided by freq) The disc part was left as is. The antenna didn't come with the center antenna that goes on top. I was told to leave that off anyway because it's used more for transmitting. The antenna is hooked up to my RS PRO-2052 (Milair only) with Radio Shack RG8 coax (Very old coax, that needs to be changed). This set up has really good range. I can hear both sides of Selfridge transmissions with no problem. I can hear aircraft in the STEELHEAD & PIKE MOA's no problem if the aircraft are high enough. I've heard Fighters say that they are over Alpena. Sometimes I’ve heard aircraft talking to Grayling range. I can hear TOL F-16's calling TOL app, & TOL twr, but I soon loose them after the twr freq. I've heard Fort Wayne F-16's on FWA app, but soon loose them after that also. I would say if the aircraft is high enough, I can hear about 200 to 250 miles out with this set up. I used to be able to hear some of Hilltop MOA (Central IN), & Buckeye MOA (Southern OH), more. So I really need to change that old coax.
I have a Sirio 1300N (N connector) Discone hanging in my upstairs bedroom. About 20 feet above ground, next to a south facing window. This is hooked up to a Stridesburgh MC204, 4 port multicoupler, non amplified with 12 feet of Belden 9913F (Flexible) coax. The multi coupler is hooked up to the 4 scanners with BNC to BNC 12“ cables, I found at the Toledo Hamfest. The 4 scanners are the PRO-2055 (Milair & misc), a BC796D (Mostly Milair, some Digital P-25 PD, & Fed), a BC780XLT (Milair) & a BC9000XLT, (Milair & VHF air, I've never really liked this radio, it picks up to much intermod). This set up has good range also but not as good as the Radio Shack discone. I'm sure it will do better once I get that Sirio antenna up on the roof also.
I also have a Radio Shack Scantenna just outside my room in the attic pointing west, hooked up to a RS PRO-2050 (VHF air band), with Belden RG213 coax (Don't recall where I picked that up?), that's hooked up to a JIM M-75 Pre Amplifier (The Amp has died & has been removed). This has good range also for the VHF air band. I can hear the Airliners talking to all of the Cleveland center freqs, & some Indy, Chi, MN, & Toronto center freqs. The PRO-2055 # 2 is also hooked up to the Scantenna with RG-58 coax. I never really paid attention how well this set up receives. It does pick up Milair, PD, trains, & misc PD. I would say it's okay. I'm sure it would improve with better coax.
For handheld scanners I like the Diamond RH77CA antenna. PRO-97, PRO-96, & PRO-107.
For my car I have a Nil Jon Super M, antenna, on a MFJ magmount with RG-58 coax. That does very well with my BC785D in the car. Mostly Milair.
Well I hope that helps.