I changed wires, I changed coils, alternators, spark plugs - control module (engine brain) -- I changed everything -- still noise.. someitmes, there's just noise...
Mobile Scanner antenna & mount Loc. Q
- Thread starter jassing
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russellmaher
KC1ANC
Hi Josh:
I'm sorry that I can't help solve the problem of engine noise wether it's caused by the alternator, spark plugs, wires, or what....but to get back to the Spectra, I can say that this antenna is not flimsy and I think it's a very sturdy item. As I said last time, mine has been in use for over six years and it's one antenna that I recommend to anyone thinking about getting one.
I admit that it's not inexpensive, but the results I have been getting with mine makes me feel that it's worth the cost. My thought is: what's another $100+ for a really good (IMHO) antenna since I just put out over $500 for my Uniden scanner. But that's just how I think.
Russell
I'm sorry that I can't help solve the problem of engine noise wether it's caused by the alternator, spark plugs, wires, or what....but to get back to the Spectra, I can say that this antenna is not flimsy and I think it's a very sturdy item. As I said last time, mine has been in use for over six years and it's one antenna that I recommend to anyone thinking about getting one.
I admit that it's not inexpensive, but the results I have been getting with mine makes me feel that it's worth the cost. My thought is: what's another $100+ for a really good (IMHO) antenna since I just put out over $500 for my Uniden scanner. But that's just how I think.
Russell
Thanks Russell -- the reason I am a bit hesitant to drop the $ isn't the $ itself -- it's that I am hard on the truck & have broken antennas in the past. I suppose I could just swap out antennas if I'm going off road....
The hesitation is "I spend $30 now; and this summer I break it ; it's $30..." Now it's an issue of 60 vs 200 in one year... the scanner will be nice and protected solidly mounted out of harms way.
But thanks -- I will probably grab one for "around town" and then when i'm "out in the sticks" but not riving thru trees & think brush...
It's just a standard NMO mount? (3/4 whole or 3/8 hole?)
The hesitation is "I spend $30 now; and this summer I break it ; it's $30..." Now it's an issue of 60 vs 200 in one year... the scanner will be nice and protected solidly mounted out of harms way.
But thanks -- I will probably grab one for "around town" and then when i'm "out in the sticks" but not riving thru trees & think brush...
It's just a standard NMO mount? (3/4 whole or 3/8 hole?)
russellmaher
KC1ANC
Now I understand!
Allright, now I get it!
Josh, you didn't say that you're going off roading through trees, bushes, and over rocks and stuff......now I see why you're asking how tough this antenna is. In that case, I can't attest to how much extreme punishment the Spectra will endure, but in everyday normal driving it's fine.
I would agree to your plan to use this for around town usage and swap it for a less costly item for the wilderness. That would be sensible.
Yes, the standard NMO mount is available and it's a 3/8" hole.
Go to the wiki site here and look up antennas for scanners and the Spectra is in there.
Russell
Allright, now I get it!
Josh, you didn't say that you're going off roading through trees, bushes, and over rocks and stuff......now I see why you're asking how tough this antenna is. In that case, I can't attest to how much extreme punishment the Spectra will endure, but in everyday normal driving it's fine.
I would agree to your plan to use this for around town usage and swap it for a less costly item for the wilderness. That would be sensible.
Yes, the standard NMO mount is available and it's a 3/8" hole.
Go to the wiki site here and look up antennas for scanners and the Spectra is in there.
Russell
This Error!
This reminds me of a tech support call "Can you help me with this error?" "What error?" "this one, on my screen!" "What error is that ma'am?" "I'm pointing right at it -- can't you read?"
Yea; sorry -- I'm hard on my truck and go off paved roads regularly... But in my defense -- I did mention it (albeit -- in another thread).. Sorry 'bout that.
Thanks!
-josh
This reminds me of a tech support call "Can you help me with this error?" "What error?" "this one, on my screen!" "What error is that ma'am?" "I'm pointing right at it -- can't you read?"
Yea; sorry -- I'm hard on my truck and go off paved roads regularly... But in my defense -- I did mention it (albeit -- in another thread).. Sorry 'bout that.
Thanks!
-josh
ridgescan
Member
probably too fancy for your application but HRO carries motorized and manual tilt angle mounts-that motorized one you can lay your antenna down from inside
but $105 I like it though personally-when I decide to upgrade to a real antenna for the truck I may rock that.
but $105 I like it though personally-when I decide to upgrade to a real antenna for the truck I may rock that.
Here is my set up. Tall truck, roof rack, two fire sticks. Both mounted to the light tabs on the rack.
Left fire stick for GRE600 and right is for my 21ltd CB. Both work very well. I am sure there is better. But I get what I want out of it. So its good for me.
As for noise, Check all your grounds. Make sure you do not have you power wires running next to your signal cable. Not sure of what kind of truck you have if I knew I could give you more ideas. But the big mistake I see people do is to let all the cables run the same path and you can run into "turbo whine"
Do you have quality cable for your antenna? Is it shielded?
Firestiks are great....
I've always used Firestiks or 102 whips; I don't know why/how I became a brand loyalist but I did. I called firestik and asked about mounting -- they said a toolbox would work - as long as it was steel and not aluminum. So that settles that -- I am mounting a 5' on the cab with over 4' of the antenna above the truck... ('ve also got a wilson 'superflex' that does well but it wobbles a lot going down the road/off road)
I've always used Firestiks or 102 whips; I don't know why/how I became a brand loyalist but I did. I called firestik and asked about mounting -- they said a toolbox would work - as long as it was steel and not aluminum. So that settles that -- I am mounting a 5' on the cab with over 4' of the antenna above the truck... ('ve also got a wilson 'superflex' that does well but it wobbles a lot going down the road/off road)
A simple test to find out if the noise that varies in pitch when you rev the engine is alternator whine:
- Disconnect the antenna lead from the back of the radio. This removes the antenna from the test.
- Turn on the radio and open the squelch so you can hear background static
- Start the engine and rev it a bit. If the whine noise varies with the revs, it's the alternator
- If the whine noise is not there at all, then it was in fact coming in through the antenna, and you can focus your troubleshooting there.
But if you find it is alternator whine, here is a very simple to build and inexpensive filter that will stop it. If you look at the pics, you'll see this is really very easy to put together.
Curing Alternator Whine by KB1MVX
There are some you can buy at auto parts stores, but getting one that works is not always easy. The major component of alternator whine comes in via the 12VDC line... the antenna may be enhancing the signal, and changing the strength when you have tried different locations for the antenna/feedline. Removing the AC component from the 12VDC is going to get rid of most if not all of the noise.
- Disconnect the antenna lead from the back of the radio. This removes the antenna from the test.
- Turn on the radio and open the squelch so you can hear background static
- Start the engine and rev it a bit. If the whine noise varies with the revs, it's the alternator
- If the whine noise is not there at all, then it was in fact coming in through the antenna, and you can focus your troubleshooting there.
But if you find it is alternator whine, here is a very simple to build and inexpensive filter that will stop it. If you look at the pics, you'll see this is really very easy to put together.
Curing Alternator Whine by KB1MVX
There are some you can buy at auto parts stores, but getting one that works is not always easy. The major component of alternator whine comes in via the 12VDC line... the antenna may be enhancing the signal, and changing the strength when you have tried different locations for the antenna/feedline. Removing the AC component from the 12VDC is going to get rid of most if not all of the noise.
Off topic here,but that is a nice truck and Subaru Impreza STI.Am guessing its a 2006 model?
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