I need some help with a outdoor antenna. I am trying to listen to NYPD I live about 40 miles away from the closets repeater. I am mainly trying to listen to the SOD but would also like to listen to some stuff in the Bronx. I need a antenna that would be able to go that far. Not even sure if this is possible. Thanks
Need help with a outdoor antenna
- Thread starter Adamo32136
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This is going to depend to a large extent what is between you and the target signals. I'm from good old flat Florida so terrain isn't usually something we worry about for VHF/UHF range. Barring any weird obstructions (such as large mounds of dirt commonly called mountains) that distance seems reasonable with a good directional antenna mounted at a reasonable height. 40 miles isn't a great distance. I would think in that case that rather than hoping for good conditions, it would be more likely that you would be hoping not to have bad conditions. A well designed Yagi beam (better yet, a phased set) should provide good results.
I looked up Yagi on google but I can not find a antenna in the MHz range I need. The NYPD SOD freq is
470.8375 but I would like to listen to other citywide channels. I would like to get a multiband antenna. I was also thinking that the city is moving over to their own system DOITT. I would like to have the NYC DOITT compatibilities with this antenna because EM and FDNY EMS is operating on this system already. I honestly have no idea what I'm doing with antennas lol thanks.
Ubbe
Member
Tv UHF antennas cover from 470MHz and upwards to 700MHz. Even the cheapest one will give a better signal at 470MHz than any scanner antenna. If some of the antenna elements are about 1ft wide it will work perfect at 470MHz.
/Ubbe
/Ubbe
wowologist
Certifiable
Yeop. Just make sure the prickly you get does NOT have a matching transformer/booster inline with the coax connexion (it likely will have filters installed that block the freqs you actually want to listen toooo). 20' above your roofline (30' would be better) on a mast, send the signal down a (insert local box store name here) spool of 100' 75ohm coax and viola ....o don't forget to point it in the general direction!
doctordialtone
Member
vi·o·la
(vē-ō′lə)
n.
1. A stringed instrument of the violin family, slightly larger than a violin, tuned a fifth lower, and having a deeper, moresonorous tone.
doctordialtone
Member
Here is a link to a place that sells Yagi Antennas.
You'll need a directional antenna like a Yagi to pick up signals from that distance.
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
You're going to need to get it up fairly high above any obstructions. Given NY's hilly terrain, depending on where you are, 40 miles might be something of a stretch. It's quite possible an amplifier will be needed. What scanner(s) are you using? Mike
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