Need Suggestion on outside Antenna

[mass-man]

unless its a very short run....then as prcguy said, LMR 240 is a good alternative and easier to work with. Stay away from coax adapters....get the proper connector for the antenna end and the scanner antenna jack!!!!

 

[Robertolson]

AND those systems are on 5000 foot mountains and less than 50 miles away....... what if you had a real antenna?

what would you recommend for the L.A Basin.

I have a St2.... tried a discone a few years ago, did not care for it, probably had the wrong coax

 

[Mastiff2013]

I see some good and some silly advice here. One thing for the OP to understand right out the gate is the specifications on most if not all scanner antennas is an outright lie. Yes they will all receive 25MHz to 1300MHz but so will a coat hanger to some extent. The MP Classic mentioned by the OP is a classic example of the big antenna lie.

I've owned and used just about every scanner antenna on the market. I buy them, test them and pack some away in the garage, give some away and others end up in the trash can. I've also got huge single band VHF/UHF/800 high gain commercial repeater antennas on my tower that I can combine together for probably the ultimate in reception, but I don't use it much if at all these days for scanning.

What I settled on for my scanners is a simple Discone. I have several, each feeding a different part of the house where I might need to monitor or temporarily transmit on several VHF/UHF bands.

The typical scanner Discone works very well from the VHF air band through about 500MHz and on 700/800/900MHz its a bit degraded due to the pattern shifting up above the horizon, but for many it provides adequate reception there. Unlike most any other antenna, the Discone will provide the same consistent performance from about 110MHz to 500MHz with no gaps, where other antennas may peak in gain at a few discrete frequencies, then they could be 10dB or more worse than a Discone in places like the VHF or UHF air band. For VHF low there is a whip on some Discones that enhances lo band a little but the whips are tuned around 50MHz.

So my recommendation for the OP is a known good brand of Discone, something like a Diamond DJ130 which is proven to be mechanically sound and should live through many seasons of snow and Ice in New England. I would also use the best coax I could afford with LMR400 being my first choice. If the coax run is very short like 30ft or less I would opt for something a little smaller like LMR240, which is much easier to deal with.

For grounding, if the OP can install his own antenna he can probably ground it. To meet the National Electrical Code you can get an inline arrester near the antenna and run #10 copper wire from that to the outside of the house electrical box up with up to about 30ft of wire. This would meet code but would not necessarily protect your radio from a direct lightning hit. Lightning protection is a complicated topic and you can't get the final word for your install from an Internet forum.
prcguy

Why can't I have a neighbor like this?

 

[prcguy]

I live in the "basin" a few miles west of you but don't do much 800 stuff except for occasional LAFD. I do pick up things like San Diego on 800MHz about 100mi away with my Discone's.
prcguy

what would you recommend for the L.A Basin.

I have a St2.... tried a discone a few years ago, did not care for it, probably had the wrong coax

 

[NFR85]

Can anyone tell me if this would fit the Omnix? https://www.amazon.com/Winegard-SW-0012-Gable-Mount-Antenna/dp/B001DFTGUQ

 

[trp2525]

Can anyone tell me if this would fit the Omnix? https://www.amazon.com/Winegard-SW-0012-Gable-Mount-Antenna/dp/B001DFTGUQ

That eave mount will work to mount your scanner antenna but you will also have to get an antenna mast as that is not included with the mount. Winegard is a very reputable brand and has been around in the antenna business (mainly TV) for many years. Keep in mind that higher is always better so a 10-foot mast would be better than a 5-foot mast.

Here is a very good reference on how to install an eave mount: How to install a TV antenna eave mount

FYI Solid Signal has that same Winegard eave mount for the lower price of $19.99 (http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=SW-0012) and they also carry just about everything else that you would need to complete your antenna installation including the antenna mast. I have purchased from them in the past and have found their prices to be very good, their shipping quick and their customer service exceptional. (I am not affiliated with Solid Signal but I am just passing along my past experiences when purchasing from them.)

 

[NFR85]

That eave mount will work to mount your scanner antenna but you will also have to get an antenna mast as that is not included with the mount. Winegard is a very reputable brand and has been around in the antenna business (mainly TV) for many years. Keep in mind that higher is always better so a 10-foot mast would be better than a 5-foot mast.

Here is a very good reference on how to install an eave mount: How to install a TV antenna eave mount

Do you have a recommendation for a mast?

 

[trp2525]

Do you have a recommendation for a mast?

See my edited post above recommending Solid Signal for your antenna mounting needs.

They offer the Winegard 5-foot antenna mast for $19.99/each (Winegard Five Foot Swedged Antenna Mast (TB-0005) from Solid Signal). They also offer a 2-pack of their own Solid Signal brand 5-foot antenna masts for $19.98 for the 2-pack (Solid Signal Two-Pack of Heavy Duty Grade 1.25 Inch TV Antenna Mast (SSMAST) from Solid Signal) which is a better value.

Those 5-foot masts have swedged ends so they can be stacked to make a 10-foot mast if desired. Both the Winegard and Solid Signal brand masts are the standard 1.25 inch outer diameter.

When I've needed antenna masts in the past I would go to my local Radio Shack store and pick up a 10-foot mast (all one piece) as I felt that they were fairly high quality and stood up well. Since the bankruptcy proceedings I don't believe the local Radio Shack stores still stock antenna masts.

 

[NFR85]

See my edited post above recommending Solid Signal for your antenna mounting needs.

They offer the Winegard 5-foot antenna mast for $19.99/each (Winegard Five Foot Swedged Antenna Mast (TB-0005) from Solid Signal). They also offer a 2-pack of their own Solid Signal brand 5-foot antenna masts for $19.98 for the 2-pack (Solid Signal Two-Pack of Heavy Duty Grade 1.25 Inch TV Antenna Mast (SSMAST) from Solid Signal) which is a better value.

Those 5-foot masts have swedged ends so they can be stacked to make a 10-foot mast if desired. Both the Winegard and Solid Signal brand masts are the standard 1.25 inch outer diameter.

When I've needed antenna masts in the past I would go to my local Radio Shack store and pick up a 10-foot mast (all one piece) as I felt that they were fairly high quality and stood up well. Since the bankruptcy proceedings I don't believe the local Radio Shack stores still stock antenna masts.

Thank you TRP!

 

[NFR85]

Thanks guys for the info just have to think if I should invest because it's $$$ and it's sorely based on a maybe on towns to pickup no guarantee.

 

[prcguy]

What town are you in and what is your distance goal for receiving other towns?
prcguy

Thanks guys for the info just have to think if I should invest because it's $$$ and it's sorely based on a maybe on towns to pickup no guarantee.

 

[NFR85]

What town are you in and what is your distance goal for receiving other towns?
prcguy

Can you send me a PM?

 

[NFR85]

Question: If I'm looking at antenna and they have Max 200 watts. And the town their antenna is 20-50 Watts. Does that mean that antenna would pick it up?

 

[gonefishn1]

Max Watts does not have anything to do with receiving signals. Max Watts or any reference to Watts is for transmitters only.

 

[NFR85]

This is my antenna I'm using now. Like I said before it's a guess if it would work. Would I notice a difference or would I hear what I'm hearing now? I'm new to this so sorry if it's a dumb question

What I own: Maxx Tenna in Outdoor Air Police Fire EMS Marine Scanner Antenna 20' Cable | eBay

What I would Like: DPD Productions - Base & Mobile Antennas for Radio Scanners: VHF, UHF, NOAA, Low-Band, 700 MHz, Police, Fire, Public Safety

 

[trp2525]

This is my antenna I'm using now. Like I said before it's a guess if it would work. Would I notice a difference or would I hear what I'm hearing now? I'm new to this so sorry if it's a dumb question

What I own: Maxx Tenna in Outdoor Air Police Fire EMS Marine Scanner Antenna 20' Cable | eBay

What I would Like: DPD Productions - Base & Mobile Antennas for Radio Scanners: VHF, UHF, NOAA, Low-Band, 700 MHz, Police, Fire, Public Safety

You should read the following RR threads about your current "Maxx Tenna" scanner antenna to see what others have posted:

http://forums.radioreference.com/scanner-receiver-antennas/275703-maxx-tenna.html

http://forums.radioreference.com/ne...-forum/334824-maxx-tenna-scanner-antenna.html

Based on those RR threads it seems that your current antenna is not any better than the standard rubber duck or telescoping antennas that come with new scanners. Assuming that posted information is accurate the DPD OmniX antenna that you are considering should definitely improve your reception especially if it is mounted high, away from any obstructions and connected with good-quality/low-loss transmission line.

I agree with others posting on this thread that LMR-400 would be the best coax choice especially for longer runs as it would have lower loss especially at the higher frequencies. It appears from your postings that you are certainly trying to watch your money outlay for this project. If that is in fact the case and you are trying to save some money, you might want to consider the lower-cost RG6 coax (RG6 quad-shield type optional and slightly more costly than standard RG6) as it would be less costly and give you "decent" performance especially for shorter runs of 50 feet or less.

As others have posted I also agree that the best way to terminate your coax on the antenna end and on the scanner end is with the exact connector so that you don't have to use any adapters. Sometimes that is more costly and sometimes it is not easily accomplished depending on the type of coax being used. In the case of RG6 coax you can terminate the ends with standard F connectors (compression type preferred as are used by the cable/satellite TV providers) and then use a good-quality F adapter for whatever connector that you need (N, BNC, PL-259, etc.). While I'm sure there is some additional loss when using an adapter on your coax, I believe the loss would be minimal. As with coax choice, there is always a cost/benefit factor to consider.

If VHF-Low (30-50 MHz) performance is really important to you, the DPD OmniX might not be your best choice for an antenna as it really is not tuned for those VHF-Low frequencies. From the manufacturer's website the OmniX is tuned for 118-137, 148-175 & 225-900 MHz. While it will certainly receive VHF-Low frequencies, the reception will not be optimal. The Antenna Specialists options that I outlined in my previous post above would certainly be better for VHF-Low reception if that is a priority for you.

 

[NFR85]

You should read the following RR threads about your current "Maxx Tenna" scanner antenna to see what others have posted:

http://forums.radioreference.com/scanner-receiver-antennas/275703-maxx-tenna.html

http://forums.radioreference.com/ne...-forum/334824-maxx-tenna-scanner-antenna.html

Based on those RR threads it seems that your current antenna is not any better than the standard rubber duck or telescoping antennas that come with new scanners. Assuming that posted information is accurate the DPD OmniX antenna that you are considering should definitely improve your reception especially if it is mounted high, away from any obstructions and connected with good-quality/low-loss transmission line.

I agree with others posting on this thread that LMR-400 would be the best coax choice especially for longer runs as it would have lower loss especially at the higher frequencies. It appears from your postings that you are certainly trying to watch your money outlay for this project. If that is in fact the case and you are trying to save some money, you might want to consider the lower-cost RG6 coax (RG6 quad-shield type optional and slightly more costly than standard RG6) as it would be less costly and give you "decent" performance especially for shorter runs of 50 feet or less.

As others have posted I also agree that the best way to terminate your coax on the antenna end and on the scanner end is with the exact connector so that you don't have to use any adapters. Sometimes that is more costly and sometimes it is not easily accomplished depending on the type of coax being used. In the case of RG6 coax you can terminate the ends with standard F connectors (compression type preferred as are used by the cable/satellite TV providers) and then use a good-quality F adapter for whatever connector that you need (N, BNC, PL-259, etc.). While I'm sure there is some additional loss when using an adapter on your coax, I believe the loss would be minimal. As with coax choice, there is always a cost/benefit factor to consider.

If VHF-Low (30-50 MHz) performance is really important to you, the DPD OmniX might not be your best choice for an antenna as it really is not tuned for those VHF-Low frequencies. From the manufacturer's website the OmniX is tuned for 118-137, 148-175 & 225-900 MHz. While it will certainly receive VHF-Low frequencies, the reception will not be optimal. The Antenna Specialists options that I outlined in my previous post above would certainly be better for VHF-Low reception if that is a priority for you.

Thank you. for your suggestions. The Low end VHF really isn't a priority. But I think I may go with OmniX has many people have high praises for it

 

[Robertolson]

The 5 foot antenna masts poles are expensive now since Radio Shack don't carry them anymore.

don't do what I did and order the 2 inch OD poles, there to big, wont fit the mounting hardware, get the 1 1/4 inch OD poles

 

[trp2525]

The 5 foot antenna masts poles are expensive now since Radio Shack don't carry them anymore.

don't do what I did and order the 2 inch OD poles, there to big, wont fit the mounting hardware, get the 1 1/4 inch OD poles

If you are looking for a local pickup option, Home Depot has the Winegard Model #TB-0005 5-foot antenna mast for $11.97 with free shipping to the store (or free shipping to your home with a $45+ order): Winegard 5 ft. Sweged Masting for Outdoor Antenna-TB-0005 - The Home Depot

"This Winegard TB-005 Antenna Mast is made from 18-gauge galvanized steel. It measures 5 ft. in length giving you the strength and distance to receive even the faintest signals. The outer diameter of the Winegard TB-005 Antenna Mast is 1.25 in. the standard diameter of most TV and FM antennas. Get better reception with this weather-resistant sturdy metal antenna mast.

1.25 in. outer diameter
18 gauge galvanized steel
5 ft. L
Gray color finished"

 

[trp2525]

Thank you. for your suggestions. The Low end VHF really isn't a priority. But I think I may go with OmniX has many people have high praises for it

FYI if you're interested, there is an Antennacraft ST2 Scantenna available on eBay right now with the current bid at $56: Antennacraft Scantenna ST2 Scanner Antenna | eBay