Doug- I didn't want to hijack the thread regarding the Diamond D130J discone, so in another thread in this RR forum you wrote:
"So after viewing over many, many conversations and threads about scanner antennas, I still don't get it.. my question is, which is the best all around outdoor scanner antenna with 800 mhz reception included.. rubber duckies and telescoping HH antennas excluded.. Yes, I'm tuned into coax quality and height.. LOL.. Your expert opinions are Vital.."
The answer will depend on how you define "best all around outdoor scanner antenna". All of us want the magic / perfect antenna that has the following characteristics:
- Covers 1 mHz to 1900 mHz (or similar wide range) with no gaps
- Omnidirectional
- Electrically steerable and can be turned into a directional antenna
- Gain of at least 6dB over a dipole on all frequencies
- Can be used for both receiving and transmitting on all frequencies
- Small and lightweight for easy mounting and low wind resistance
- Nearly invisible so as to be unnoticed on the roof (HOA-friendly)
- Very inexpensive
- Has some way to be used without coax or lead-in wires
Unfortunately, no such antenna exists at this time. Invent one that works and you have a shot at becoming very wealthy.
Since the perfect antenna doesn't exist, look at the list above and decide which of these characteristics are most important to you and rank them in your reply. Then you'll start getting some qualified replies. All antennas are some sort of compromise with regard to the "perfect" antenna you may have in mind. That... and the laws of physics... is why there are so many different kinds. And also why you'll hear hams speak of their "antenna farm".
