Need advice on getting an antenna for my SDS100

[ManyReason]

Hello RR Forums,
I recently purchased an SDS100 and it has underperformed than expected. I live in Lake County, IL and I have trouble receiving police and fire frequencies from as little as 5 miles away up to 15. I can listen to my local police department and fire department fine, but anything a bit further in the county and I have a very weak and bad reception/signal or I can't get any signal at all. I have tried the stock rubber duck antenna and also the remtronix handheld scanner antenna and they both perform below my expectations. The frequencies I have trouble listening to are mainly the VHF frequencies like in the 150-160 Mhz range (other county fire departments). The 800-900 Mhz frequency for my police department I can hear very well. For reference, here are the frequencies of my county: https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=639

Can anyone advise me on an antenna, preferably mobile/vehicle (for easy installation) I can use indoors on my desk to significantly improve reception of these public safety frequencies? I have looked at the Hustler Vehicle Antenna (Amazon.com: Hustler / New-Tronics Antenna Corp. MRMBNC Magnetic Mount Scanner Antenna with BNC Connector and 12' Coax Cable (1 Each): Home Audio & Theater) and other budget antennas. If I have to get an antenna that will help me listen to the departments I desire, I am willing to spend anywhere between 0-100 dollars. Any advice appreciated. Thank you!

 

[ManyReason]

Adding onto this, I'm looking at higher end antennas like the Austin Spectra. However, what are the mounts and the coax connectors I need for this? I am confused with the parts... this is my first time purchasing a mobile antenna

 

[prcguy]

The Austin Spectra is a good overall antenna but if you don't need VHF lo band then there are smaller antennas that will do just as good.

Adding onto this, I'm looking at higher end antennas like the Austin Spectra. However, what are the mounts and the coax connectors I need for this? I am confused with the parts... this is my first time purchasing a mobile antenna

 

[ManyReason]

The Austin Spectra is a good overall antenna but if you don't need VHF lo band then there are smaller antennas that will do just as good.

Yeah, I only need VHF Hi band like the 150-160 Mhz range, the UHF bands in the 400-500 Mhz range and the 800-900 range... I was also looking at
Comtelco All-Band Low-Profile Mobile Antenna

 

[prcguy]

I've had good results from the Larson Tri-band and the Maxrad BMAXSCAN1000, both cover VHF/UHF and 800. I've picked up both off Ebay in the $15-$17 range new.

Yeah, I only need VHF Hi band like the 150-160 Mhz range, the UHF bands in the 400-500 Mhz range and the 800-900 range... I was also looking at
Comtelco All-Band Low-Profile Mobile Antenna

 

[questnz]

You may have a closer look at already mentioned Larsen Tri-Band NMO and Laird 150/450/800 NMO Scanner antenna. Both quality made with excellent reception. I own both on different vehicles (magnet NMO mount's) its hard to tell them apart. Purchased on good advice from one of the members of this forum. No regrets whatsoever. I looked at Austin Spectra but after reading few reviews and user comments settled on L and L. Also much both much shorter and not attracting too much attention. Using inside vehicles with Uniden 396Xt and 126AT scanners.

 

[3King]

Hello RR Forums,
I recently purchased an SDS100 and it has underperformed than expected. I live in Lake County, IL and I have trouble receiving police and fire frequencies from as little as 5 miles away up to 15. I can listen to my local police department and fire department fine, but anything a bit further in the county and I have a very weak and bad reception/signal or I can't get any signal at all. I have tried the stock rubber duck antenna and also the remtronix handheld scanner antenna and they both perform below my expectations. The frequencies I have trouble listening to are mainly the VHF frequencies like in the 150-160 Mhz range (other county fire departments). The 800-900 Mhz frequency for my police department I can hear very well. For reference, here are the frequencies of my county: https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=639

Can anyone advise me on an antenna, preferably mobile/vehicle (for easy installation) I can use indoors on my desk to significantly improve reception of these public safety frequencies? I have looked at the Hustler Vehicle Antenna (Amazon.com: Hustler / New-Tronics Antenna Corp. MRMBNC Magnetic Mount Scanner Antenna with BNC Connector and 12' Coax Cable (1 Each): Home Audio & Theater) and other budget antennas. If I have to get an antenna that will help me listen to the departments I desire, I am willing to spend anywhere between 0-100 dollars. Any advice appreciated. Thank you!

If you are able to have an outdoor antenna a d130j is the only way to go. I am a radio tech on the side and deal with this stuff ALOT.

 

[Ubbe]

Many, is this your first attemp to listen to the frequencies or do you have anything else to compare with?

The most important thing to get a good range are hight above ground. Maybe you are positioned at ground level and will have bad coverage whatever you try to use. The stock antenna are the best one for VHF-HI compared to other rubber antennas that are way better on all other frequency bands. Maybe you'll need a roof mounted antenna or one in the attic that sits higher up depending of what you are allowed to do. Can you go up on the roof or another high position and check reception from there to see if it will improve?

/Ubbe

 

[ManyReason]

Many, is this your first attemp to listen to the frequencies or do you have anything else to compare with?

The most important thing to get a good range are hight above ground. Maybe you are positioned at ground level and will have bad coverage whatever you try to use. The stock antenna are the best one for VHF-HI compared to other rubber antennas that are way better on all other frequency bands. Maybe you'll need a roof mounted antenna or one in the attic that sits higher up depending of what you are allowed to do. Can you go up on the roof or another high position and check reception from there to see if it will improve?

/Ubbe

I will try this. Thank you and all the others for replying and I will check out Laird and Larsen

 

[ManyReason]

Many, is this your first attemp to listen to the frequencies or do you have anything else to compare with?

The most important thing to get a good range are hight above ground. Maybe you are positioned at ground level and will have bad coverage whatever you try to use. The stock antenna are the best one for VHF-HI compared to other rubber antennas that are way better on all other frequency bands. Maybe you'll need a roof mounted antenna or one in the attic that sits higher up depending of what you are allowed to do. Can you go up on the roof or another high position and check reception from there to see if it will improve?

/Ubbe

FYI I don't really have another antenna to compare with. I have a remtronix antenna specifically good for 800 bands and my stock antenna seems to perform just as well on 800. I am having trouble with VHF High, and UHF public safety bands

 

[ManyReason]

You may have a closer look at already mentioned Larsen Tri-Band NMO and Laird 150/450/800 NMO Scanner antenna. Both quality made with excellent reception. I own both on different vehicles (magnet NMO mount's) its hard to tell them apart. Purchased on good advice from one of the members of this forum. No regrets whatsoever. I looked at Austin Spectra but after reading few reviews and user comments settled on L and L. Also much both much shorter and not attracting too much attention. Using inside vehicles with Uniden 396Xt and 126AT scanners.

Do these tribands cover the frequencies listed well? So when it says 150/450/800, does it cover like 150-160, 450-470, and 800-860, etc? Like how good is the frequency range? I'm looking to purchase this

 

[prcguy]

Those are roughly the ranges for the Larsen and Maxrad tri band antennas. They will have a sweet spot in the middle of each band but you will probably not notice any change in performance over the freq range you mentioned.

Do these tribands cover the frequencies listed well? So when it says 150/450/800, does it cover like 150-160, 450-470, and 800-860, etc? Like how good is the frequency range? I'm looking to purchase this

 

[questnz]

1+ for that, Exactly, this applies to general antenna scanning range but if you want antenna for the specific frequency you need to buy antenna tuned to that frequency for most likely marginally better reception. eg Air 118-137 Mhz or 800 MHz range with Remtronic antennas. Never too many antennas in the arsenal my friend ! Obvious for outdoor/roof antenna you need go with already mentioned Diamond D130 or Omni-X type of antenna.

 

[ManyReason]

Thanks, so I figured something out....

Many, is this your first attemp to listen to the frequencies or do you have anything else to compare with?

The most important thing to get a good range are hight above ground. Maybe you are positioned at ground level and will have bad coverage whatever you try to use. The stock antenna are the best one for VHF-HI compared to other rubber antennas that are way better on all other frequency bands. Maybe you'll need a roof mounted antenna or one in the attic that sits higher up depending of what you are allowed to do. Can you go up on the roof or another high position and check reception from there to see if it will improve?

/Ubbe

I tried going upstairs and I held the scanner up high and I noticed better reception. Better reception and signal than downstairs but I will still look into buying an antenna to improve from there. And move my desk upstairs for scanning purposes. Thank you

 

[ManyReason]

Also another question (sorry), I see this metal ground plate thing where the antennas need a metal surface onto. So if I take like a metal can from coffee stuff and put my mount on top of it, will that do? And how important is it to have a metal surface under as opposed to a wooden desk for example?

And the parts to get a mobile antenna to work is the antenna itself, a metal base, an NMO mount and the cables right (that usually come with the mount). Since I have an SDS100 I heard it's better to get a mount or coax for BNC then use a BNC to SMA adapter to make it fit. Can anyone confirm? Once I have these down, I'll make the purchase. I just have to make sure I have everything I need

 

[ManyReason]

Those are roughly the ranges for the Larsen and Maxrad tri band antennas. They will have a sweet spot in the middle of each band but you will probably not notice any change in performance over the freq range you mentioned.

Ok thanks guys,
because the frequencies I want to listen to are all fire and police. The police are on 400-500 Mhz and my local pd is on 855 Mhz and my fire departments are on 150-160 Mhz

 

[prcguy]

I don't think the Larson or Maxrad tri band is going to cover 400 to 500Mhz continuous very well and you might be better off with a wider band antenna like the laird WPD136M6C-001 or similar. They cost more but I've picked them up on Ebay for really good prices.

http://assets.lairdtech.com/home/brandworld/files/WPD136M6C-001 0915.pdf

 

[ManyReason]

I don't think the Larson or Maxrad tri band is going to cover 400 to 500Mhz continuous very well and you might be better off with a wider band antenna like the laird WPD136M6C-001 or similar. They cost more but I've picked them up on Ebay for really good prices.

http://assets.lairdtech.com/home/brandworld/files/WPD136M6C-001 0915.pdf

Sorry should've clarified, not all the way 400-500 but more 450-460-470 range, that range for police

Also if I was to purchase an antenna with an NMO mount, should I get the BNC one so I use a BNC male to SMA Female connector? Like this one:

BNC Male to SMA Female Adapter | Scanner Master


So in total I would have the antenna, mount (with coax cable BNC), then that connector to make it compatible with my SDS100? Because I heard SMA doesnt fit well on the SDS100 and I should get BNC then get an adapter/connector


I'm probably buying the tri band larsen from amazon: Amazon.com: Larsen NMO150-450-800 Tri-Band Nmo Antenna: Home Audio & Theater

But oddly I think their description of frequencies is inaccurate, I checked other sites and the same antenna frequency showed 150-165 MHz / 450-470 MHz / 806-960 MHz

 

[prcguy]

The Larson or Maxrad will do fine across 450 to 470Mhz. I prefer having a BNC connector on the cable then a BNC to SMA adapter on the radio but that's me. Others might have their own preferences. I would leave the adapter on the radio most of the time and you can connect and disconnect the BNC much faster than an SMA. I would also go for a short stubby SMA to BNC adapter which will put less strain on the radio's connector over a longer adapter. Something like this if it will fit the SD100. Diamond Antenna BNCJ-SMAP

Sorry should've clarified, not all the way 400-500 but more 450-460-470 range, that range for police

Also if I was to purchase an antenna with an NMO mount, should I get the BNC one so I use a BNC male to SMA Female connector? Like this one:

BNC Male to SMA Female Adapter | Scanner Master


So in total I would have the antenna, mount (with coax cable BNC), then that connector to make it compatible with my SDS100? Because I heard SMA doesnt fit well on the SDS100 and I should get BNC then get an adapter/connector

 

[ManyReason]

Thank you, I will go ahead and make the purchase, to make sure I'm buying the right stuff mentioned with you and I

Antenna: Amazon.com: Larsen NMO150-450-800 Tri-Band Nmo Antenna: Home Audio & Theater

Adapter: BNC Male to SMA Female Adapter | Scanner Master

Mount and Coax Cable (BNC Connector): NMO 5'' Mag Mount | Scanner Master