I have a new Laird antenna in my garage that was supposed to be going on my truck. I do not currently have a second radio in my truck but I need one for the scanner in my house. Can I use this? How would I ground it? Kevin
mobile antenna on house?
- Thread starter dispatcher812
- Start date
- Status
Fast1eddie
Member
Sure! You'll just need to come up with the appropriate mounting hardware. Laird sells a adapter kit which has ground planes with the hardware. I think it is a little pricey and if you should be able to fabricate the same for much less. The only drawback is the performance but if you can install it as high and in the clear as possible it should work very well for you depending on conditions and your location vs your targets.
I have the hardwar that would be used to mount to the fender of my truck. Can I run a ground wire from that to my house ground? I have a ground rod already fr the house itself.
Different ground system. ... The radials create an RF ground plane , tying into your electrical ground , if done properly will help prevent lightening strikes by bonding everything to one common electrical ground keeping everything at or close to same potential.
What you want to do will work, but performance wont be maximized. If mostly everything you want to hear is close by and you are looking for something low profile, go for it. Just don't expect it to be perfect.
What you want to do will work, but performance wont be maximized. If mostly everything you want to hear is close by and you are looking for something low profile, go for it. Just don't expect it to be perfect.
Last edited:
I just realized that after doing a little research into it.
So tell me if this would work. The only thing that will be recieved witht this is Railraod frequencies. 160.650 to be exact. If I were to find a 6inch by 6 inch flat peice of metal, shape into an L shape, drill a hole into it mount the antenna ( a bigger version of the bracket that would go to a fender) then secure the antenna.
So tell me if this would work. The only thing that will be recieved witht this is Railraod frequencies. 160.650 to be exact. If I were to find a 6inch by 6 inch flat peice of metal, shape into an L shape, drill a hole into it mount the antenna ( a bigger version of the bracket that would go to a fender) then secure the antenna.
Thats the best part of the radio hobby. Try it and see what happens. What may work for you, may not work for the next guy. What is the worse that will happen other than your receiver being deaf.
Last edited:
Quite true. I think I will try that this weekend.
jim202
Member
The big point to consider here is that most mobile antennas are designed to work with the auto body under it to act as the ground reflector part of the antenna. However, in RX only use, just about anything will sort of work.
On the L bracket if you could mount or solder 3 pieces of wire approx 18 inches long at a 45 downward angle from the grounded side of the bracket, that should provide a sufficient ground plane for the RF. Right below the antenna. You can see an example of what I mean by looking at the Radioshack scanner antennas. The specific one I can't remember the model number.
something to try is to mount the antenna (however you can) then connect a wire about 17" long to the 'ground' portion of that antenna mount. Or, if the garage/house happens to have metal siding, use that as the RF 'ground'.
It should work. Probably won't be all that 'good', but it will work. Receivers just aren't too 'picky' about antennas as transmitters are.
Or if you're really feeling adventurous... run a wire from the receiver/scanner to a metal window screen. It might surprise you...
- 'Doc
It should work. Probably won't be all that 'good', but it will work. Receivers just aren't too 'picky' about antennas as transmitters are.
Or if you're really feeling adventurous... run a wire from the receiver/scanner to a metal window screen. It might surprise you...
- 'Doc
Not to beat a dead horse but I would try and see. There are many factors involved that may effect what you will receive. A lot depends on the frequency and what the wattage, height, etc that is involved with the transmitting.
For example I monitor mostly VHF high public safety but this is mostly dispatch centers that I can pick up "ok" on a portable or duck antenna. However I put a VHF nmo mag mount outside on a metal bracket not ground planed and my reception increased to a few counties. This is outside second story window with little to no obstructions.
Try it but let us know as I may go straight nmo to a bracket and put some radials on mine and see if that helps a little.
For example I monitor mostly VHF high public safety but this is mostly dispatch centers that I can pick up "ok" on a portable or duck antenna. However I put a VHF nmo mag mount outside on a metal bracket not ground planed and my reception increased to a few counties. This is outside second story window with little to no obstructions.
Try it but let us know as I may go straight nmo to a bracket and put some radials on mine and see if that helps a little.
Thanks for all the help guys.
What I am most trying to pick up is a railroad hotbox detector about 6 miles from my house. I know its a long shot since the don't have much power but I have heard people in my are here it at greater distances on portable scanners. I am also considering a radio shack antenna. This one Outdoor VHF-Hi/UHF Scanner Antenna : Scanner Antennas | RadioShack.com
had some great reviews and may do mor for me then what the other one will. I will let you all know what I do.
What I am most trying to pick up is a railroad hotbox detector about 6 miles from my house. I know its a long shot since the don't have much power but I have heard people in my are here it at greater distances on portable scanners. I am also considering a radio shack antenna. This one Outdoor VHF-Hi/UHF Scanner Antenna : Scanner Antennas | RadioShack.com
had some great reviews and may do mor for me then what the other one will. I will let you all know what I do.
Just an update I purchased the RS antenna this wekend and put it ont he house. WHile I was able to increase the range at which I can hear the trains them selves, I still could not here the detector. This am i heard the train itself AFTER passing the detector so I know I have better coverage. Thaks for the help, Kevin
That detector is going to be very low power if it does the notifying by RF on the voice channels. So, the likelihood of hearing it, if you aren't very close to one, is going to be really 'slim'. I have no idea how they work so you'd be a better judge of that than me...
- 'Doc
- 'Doc
What kind of coax are you using? Some low loss coax might help to.
I am using Radio Shack coax. Not sure what number of cable. The two girls working there were not much help at all. It came with 2 PL259 connectors so I had to get a 259 to BNC adaptor.
It should say on coax. You can try it and see if it works but you might wanna look at lower loss coax. How long is this run again?
Well.......... the run it self is maybe 20 feet. I never actully measured it but the cable is 50 feet. I went with this to avoid have to crimp on my own conectors. I was able to get better reception to the yard, I even pick up thier portables great, but knew that the HotBox was a long shot.
- Status
Similar threads
