My First Antenna

[n5ims]

Rise, rise from the dead, you most useful thread...

My apologies for necro-posting, but I really want to keep this next post of mine in-line specifically with information found in this thread.

I still have not picked up my BCD-996XT, but it's only a few weeks away. I am, however, putting together a rig that will hold my BCT-15X and the BCD-996XT side-by-side on my desk. And I am ready to run my antenna(s) so that part will be done already.

So, as I am preparing to order my antenna gear tomorrow or the next day (depending on the answers I get to this post) I have a final preparation question or two that will decide the sizes and quantities of my orders.

1) If I mount the Sputnik (Radio Shack antenna mentioned above) on my roof, can I safely (and decently) run both scanners off the one antenna or do I need one for each unit?

2) Can I safely use the same grounding unit (as mentioned above) if both units are hooked to that single antenna?

3) Just in case I am not asking the right questions about this, is there anything I should know or should do (or not do) while considering this single antenna idea?

4) I'm thinking of ordering pre-assembled coax cable from Universal-Radio. I'm thinking about #0497 (50') and #3849 (12') of the RG-8X cable to run from Sputnik on my roof down to the grounding unit and then on in to the spare room (currently our ad hoc office). The prices look fine to me, but I'd sure like to double-check that this cable is suitable for my basic scanning needs based on the units listed above and the antenna(s) I would like to use.

As always, your insight is much appreciated!

1. Yes, you can easily run both (even more if you like) scanners off a single antenna. See this sticky thread for details on how to best accomplish this http://forums.radioreference.com/antennas-coax-forum/105054-using-one-antenna-multiple-scanners.html

2. Yes, you ground the antenna way before the scanners so that should take care of things.

3. They are discussed in the sticky thread given to question # 1.

4. RG-8X is designed for HF use and not real good at VHF and UHF frequencies when you get over very short lengths (a dozen feet or so). The loss from the coax will eat up much of the signal increase from the outside antenna (especially if you add a splitter that will send half of the signal to each scanner!). LMR-400 would be a better choice if you can afford the cost and installation hassles (it's thick and stiff). Nearly as good for that size run would be some good quality RG-6 (standard cable-tv coax), which is designed for VHF and UHF signals and has pretty low loss and great shielding so noise from an old cable line running near your scanner coax will be minimal. Although RG-6 is 75 ohm coax and most scanners and scanner antennas call for 50 ohm coax, this isn't really an issue for scanner use and the lower loss over the length of the run more than makes up for the very slight bump in impedence loss.

 

[SharpNEO]

* smacks forehead ! *
(SEARCH FUNCTION IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER...)



My apologies, it was late, I had just gotten home, etc., etc. I should have looked for the answer before asking. However, I am grateful for the answer.

Looking at the two types of cable you suggested, I'm thinking I might save a few bucks in the beginning with the RG-6, but perhaps I might wish I had the LMR-400 down on down the line... I have to look at that further. It's been 3-months since I planned on getting the radio I want and, with opportunity to purchase other cheaper models, I've held out because the 996-XT is the one I want next. So, if I have to spend a little more on some quality cable, I'll do just that. (But only if it's necessary. If not, the cheap stuff it is!)

Thanks much for the help!