Need a better Antennae for pro-96

[blue0ne]

Hey folks.

I have scoured the forums here regarding antenna types for the pro-96. Most people seem to want to focus on 800Mhz or some other thing, so they have been exhorted to purchase an 800Mhz Antenna from one plavce or another.

I'm new at this, and what I am beginning to understand is that if I put an 800Mhz Antenna on my pro-96 then I will more than likely be more blind to freqs below that range than I am currently.

Someone else mentioned "broadband antennae".

All I want to do is increase my ability to pick up signals across all bands. How can I do that with my pro-96 today? Ultimately do I have to purchase different antennae for different bands and carry them all around with me? Or can I simply purchase one nice High Gain Broad Band antennae for it?

Thanks!

 

[hoser147]

Alot of people have just used the Stock antenna it is a broadband antenna. It just depends on what you listen to the most. 800 antenna works great for that band but it will only do strong signals from other bands. Hope this helps ya. Hoser

 

[blue0ne]

Is there a better high gain broadband antenna?

 

[MrVelvet]

If you are looking for a vehicle mounted antenna, do NOT purchase a MAXSCAN 1000*. I bought one after hearing from here that it would increase my range and ability to pick up all frequencies....sadly, it doesn't do either much better than my stock PRO97 antenna.

*I have my antenna mounted using a fender lip NMO mount and not drilling a hole in my roof, so I can only speak to how it performs in that installation environment.

 

[KT4HX]

Since you've been reasearching, then you probably have come to the correct conclusion that there is no one antenna that will yield great results across all bands. It's just not possible. You can have good results in some bands, ok in some, and dismal in others.

The ultimate way to get the best reception across a wide range is indeed to carry single or at most dual band antennas to cover the ranges you're interested in. However, we all know that is not practical when lugging a handheld around.

Yes many people do like the Radio Shack 800 antenna. It does very well in that range and also very good in the UHF range, but it does start to suffer when you get down to VHF. Many like the Diamond RH77CA, which is a ham dual band VHF/UHF antenna with some broadband reception capability. It does a good job indeed in those ranges and from my experience it does good enough on local 800 systems.

The key to understanding this is that if you only want to use one antenna across a wide range of frequencies, you have to accept compromise in reception quality in some bands. Hope this helps....

 

[blue0ne]

So this is what I did. I went and bought the RS 800 Mhz Antenna. But I also saw something else, that no one has mentioned yet.

I saw a telescoping Antenna. As a newbie to radio, I didn't realize that you could change the frequency receoption by elongating the antenna, but then as I think about it, it makes sense. Anyhow, this little device has increased my understanding about antennae and how they work. This particular one is Cat.No.20-006A and has a load coil in the middle of the whole antenna.

Frequency 25 - 136 MHz Extend all Nine Sections
Frequency 138-174 MHz Extend only Top Four Sections
Frequency 220-1296 Mhz Extend only 1 to 3 Lower Sections

This has increased my reception distance, enough to where I can now, from Johns Creek, not only get Fulton crystal clear, but Atlanta and Dekalb as well. Before, with the stock antenna, I could get Fulton easy (must be a tower real close to me), and I could get dekalb and antlanta very very little. They would key up, and that would be about the size of it.

Now, as I mentioned, I also got the 800 MHz Antenna, as many people had suggested. I do notice an increase in reception with it, but My feelings are that the Telescoping antenna actually makes it that much better. They were both about the same price, ~$20, and I would totally recommend people spend the money to purchase both. I may take back the 800 MHz, but then again, there are times when I may not want to have such rigid and highly noticeble antenna, and so I would bring along the RS 800 Ducky.

Because my interests in scanning span the range and change frequently, I am really enjoing the telescoping antenna.

I also bought the PCIF2USB cable and will be downloading talkgroupID's soon. Although There are mods which will need to be made, because the database on here is large, but it is also not as accurate as it should be, at least in Fulton county. It is a great start though.. because it is about 98% accurate. So I will be purchasing the subscription.

 

[kirka127]

you should keep in mind the telescoping antenna puts more stress on your BNC connector.
Kirk

 

[texasemt13]

blue,
I don't know how far away you are but when I was in Alpharetta recently I was picking up Atlanta (and every suburb for that matter) superbly with the RS 800MHz antenna (just nothing else outside the 800MHz range- as you have experienced).

I also have the telescoping antenna you purchased for a base scanner, and it does well bringing in weak freqs, but it is a horrible 900MHz antenna (the local trunked system is in the 935MHz area).

I usually have more than one scanner going (in the house) so I can use more than one antenna. However for travelling I use the Austin Condor antenna (receives well on MOST bands- improved range on every band over the stock rubber duck AND the RS 800MHz. Find it here: http://www.scannermaster.com/Austin_Condor_Antenna_p/04-540709.htm ). Also, my friend uses the Diamond RH77CA mentioned above and it works awesome as well on ALL bands.

 

[blue0ne]

nice ride

So tonight we took a nice ride from johns creek, west on old Milton, and then south on 9 to hammond and back, stopped along the way at Regio, a local taqueria. Best taco I ever had. Learned that a coca mexicana is a coke made with sugar, not HFCS.


We took the RS 800Mhz ducky and everything came in nicely, except when we were in the valley around trowbridge rd.

I will definately be getting the other antennae mentioned in this thread in order to better understand each of them and enjoy their benefits.. I guess I am getting the antenna bug.

 

[rad1oreference]

Pro-97

I use the pro-97 radioshack and when I purchased the telescopic antenna from RS, it worked the same as the rubber one. I had no gain whatsoever in reception even while following the directions on how to use it with the different bands.

I normally travell in my car and have my handheld. Always want to listen to the I-95 state troopers in Mass/NH and Maine. So far I do get good reception while in Maine. I don't get any frm NH and Mass troopers which is weird.

I'm considering getting thermagnetic mount RS antenna that covers 25-1300 MHz.

Hopefully that would help

 

[FLA2760]

Hi, New member here. I am looking to get an antenna that will allow me to better grab UHF signals. I live about 60 miles north of Tampa, FL and I am able to hear Tampa PD on my old radio Shack Pro 70 handheld. I use a Wilson 881 Super Gainer on the Pro70. I also have a Pro 2053 triple trunk tracker that I want to use for this. The 2053 has the stock antenna and works great for local trunking but does not get the signals from Tampa. I am looking for an indoor unit. We don't want anything on the roof due to the frequent lightning and the hurricanes. Tampa PD frequencies are between 450.000-470.000 mhz Thanks. Steve