Need antenna help (desperately)

[fyerbuf]

I live in Wellington and I am using a Antennex 800 mhz antenna and I pick up crap. What I am asking is if there is any one out there who knows how to check if their is any wiring problems and if this is the right antenna for my needs could you please contact me. I have yet to be able to listen since I moved here in September. You can e-mail me at fyerbuff@adelphia.netjavascript:emoticon('')javascript:emoticon(':?')


Thanks

Ron

 

[N4DES]

I live in Wellington and I am using a Antennex 800 mhz antenna and I pick up crap. What I am asking is if there is any one out there who knows how to check if their is any wiring problems and if this is the right antenna for my needs could you please contact me. I have yet to be able to listen since I moved here in September. You can e-mail me at fyerbuff@adelphia.netjavascript:emoticon('')javascript:emoticon(':?')


Thanks

Ron

What are you trying to listen to? The Palm Beach County 813A has a site on either side of Wellington and in most cases the antenna is optional. :lol:
The West Palm Beach transmit site is very close to downtown off of Palm Beach Lakes but should get out to where you are with no problems.

What kind of cable are you using? If it's Radio Shack stuff, get rid of it and get some good cable from Mike's Electronics.

 

[LarrySC]

Describe or give part number for Antenex. Sounds like receiver overload. Also post type scanner being used.

 

[K2KOH]

I'm just thinking that when I went down to Palm Beach County, the county system was full scale just about everywhere in PBC. The W. Palm Beach site was also pretty strong in the general vicinity of WPB. This sounds like a cable problem, if you're using a base antenna. Depending on the radio you're using, use either the back of the set antenna if you're using a mobile, or the rubber duck if portable. You should have no problem hearing Palm Beach County. If you do, it's a radio issue

 

[Albamma]

Re: Antenna Help ??

Hi,

Try this. 1st tune to the NOAA Weather Service Frequency for your area. ( in the 162 mhz range ). 2nd program your scanner to stay on the frequency. 3rd now you have a base to start with. 4th tune and adjust your scanner the way you would like. If the NOAA Weather frequency fades out, something is wrong with your antenna, or scanner. If you have a signal meter built in your scanner this will help.

For an antenna I use the Scantenna. It is a general all purpose antenna. http://users.cis.net/kingpop/Scanner/Scantenna.htm You could also add an amp from GRE. http://scanner.greamerica.com/amp.html The amp is great if your not close to a large town. If your to close it may be to strong for you.

Also you need to check your scanner cords. They may be bad and need to be replaced. DON'T USE regular TV Cable for your scanner. I use RG-6 and RG58U and RG58 made for police scanners.

Hope this helps.

 

[fyerbuf]

I am using a 785 D the cable I got from Mikes I have no idea what it is. PBC comes in loud in clear, as does Boynton and Lake Worth but I am trying to pick up everyone else ie: Broward, Boca, Delray and Martin. I am mainly interested in Fire communications. West Palm comes in very scratchy. The Antenna is mounted outside up about 10 feet. I am using an Antenex Fg 8066. Please I would like to start listening again.

 

[N4DES]

I am using a 785 D the cable I got from Mikes I have no idea what it is. PBC comes in loud in clear, as does Boynton and Lake Worth but I am trying to pick up everyone else ie: Broward, Boca, Delray and Martin. I am mainly interested in Fire communications. West Palm comes in very scratchy. The Antenna is mounted outside up about 10 feet. I am using an Antenex Fg 8066. Please I would like to start listening again.

Being Delray and Martin are 821 NPSPAC Systems I doubt that your reception for these agencies will ever be acceptable due to them having to limit their coverage to their boundaries of service.

Boca uses a transmit antenna pattern that is North/South from their east Palmetto transmit site. They don't have a very good western signal and even their own people have reception issues at Yomato and Jog Roads.

Broward is pretty far from you (closest transmit site at Sawgrass and Lyon Roads). Signal levels will be marginal at best in Wellington.

You will need to go higher if you want to hear more, 10 feet isn't enough to hear these agencies and it will improve your reception of West Palm at the same time. :wink:

 

[W4KRR]

KS4VT wrote:

Broward is pretty far from you (closest transmit site at Sawgrass and Lyon Roads). Signal levels will be marginal at best in Wellington.

Hey Mark, I live within sight of that tower. I suspect the State of Fla. has a site there, as well as Coconut Creek and possibly City of Margate, because I receive all of them very well. Am I correct?

 

[N4DES]

KS4VT wrote:

Broward is pretty far from you (closest transmit site at Sawgrass and Lyon Roads). Signal levels will be marginal at best in Wellington.

Hey Mark, I live within sight of that tower. I suspect the State of Fla. has a site there, as well as Coconut Creek and possibly City of Margate, because I receive all of them very well. Am I correct?

The closest State tower to you is the guyed tower by Atlantic Blvd. and the Turnpike (just south of you). NPSPAC MA TAC 3 does reside on the Sawgrass/Lyons Tower.
I believe Creek has a satellite RX antenna on the County tower and I'm pretty sure Margate isn't using it as they simulcast near their PD with Coral Springs.
Of course this is going by past memory, things could of changed though in the past few yrs. while I was engrossed by 813A.

 

[als365]

I lived in the area of Forest Hill Blvd and Jog Rd. for the longest time and was able to pick up the city of WPB system from my house and car.