New Antenna

[TXFirefighter112]

I am thinking about getting a new antenna for a base scanner. The thing is I dont want to spend a lot of money or effort on it, so I am wondering: What would happen if I just bought an adapter and plugged my TV antenna into the scanner?

 

[crayon]

TV antennas come in many flavors, so I assume you are talking about the typical mast mounted yagi's or logs.

Most consumer TV antennas are not pure Yagi's, or log-periodic, but instead are a jumble of rods designed to get the most from the limited boom space over a wide range of channels. Being that the the basic design is based upon a yagi/log also means that the antenna will be highly directional.

To get back to the question, yeah, its something that could be done ... but the negatives out weigh any potential gain.

If you already have a mast mounted antenna, you would be best served if you mounted omni above the TV antenna and run a cable just for that.

HTH's

 

[W5JLF]

TV antennas are horizontal polarized, Almost all scanner type frequencies are vertical polarized. With a TV antenna you would not have much range.

 

[LarrySC]

And the third answer is: Element lengths. TV element lengths are no where near the same except 800 MHz. You would do better putting up a wet kite string.

 

[TXFirefighter112]

Element lengths? WTF is that? I just want a giant piece of metal to plug into my scanner that doesnt cost much and requires little effort to put up, thus the TV antenna idea: it is already mine, and it is already up.

Now about the range, when you say "short range" exactly how short? If it wont extend beyond my block, then it isnt worth it. Naturally I am assuming it is better than the little 6 inch antenna that came with the scanner. Its actually a portable, but while at home, why not "convert" it to a base scanner instead of carrying it around everywhere?

Back to that elements thing, you say they are no where near the same except in 800 MHz. Perfect. That is all I am interested in.

On to the polarization, you say that almost all "scanner type freqs" are vertical polarized. Which ones arent? If the 800's aren't then great!!

Aside from the 800's there is only one other frequency that I listen to regularly and that is 453.875. The only thing is that happens to be the one that is transmitted from farthest away. I have to go about 3 miles south before I get really good reception with my 6" standard antenna.

As for the "fancy language" and "highly technical words" thanks for assuming I had the slightest idea what you're talking about despite my asking about plugging a TV antenna (I have no idea what kind, but its on the roof) into my scanner.

You guys rule!!

 

[N_Jay]

Element lengths? WTF is that? I just want a giant piece of metal to plug into my scanner that doesnt cost much and requires little effort to put up, thus the TV antenna idea: it is already mine, and it is already up.

Now about the range, when you say "short range" exactly how short? If it wont extend beyond my block, then it isnt worth it. Naturally I am assuming it is better than the little 6 inch antenna that came with the scanner. Its actually a portable, but while at home, why not "convert" it to a base scanner instead of carrying it around everywhere?

Back to that elements thing, you say they are no where near the same except in 800 MHz. Perfect. That is all I am interested in.

On to the polarization, you say that almost all "scanner type freqs" are vertical polarized. Which ones arent? If the 800's aren't then great!!

Aside from the 800's there is only one other frequency that I listen to regularly and that is 453.875. The only thing is that happens to be the one that is transmitted from farthest away. I have to go about 3 miles south before I get really good reception with my 6" standard antenna.

As for the "fancy language" and "highly technical words" thanks for assuming I had the slightest idea what you're talking about despite my asking about plugging a TV antenna (I have no idea what kind, but its on the roof) into my scanner.

You guys rule!!

Hmm, I would say to pick up an ARRL book on antennas and do some reading, but I am not sure. :twisted:

 

[mdulrich]

If what you want to listen to has an antenna that sticks straight up into the air, it is vertical polarization and probably everything you want to listen to is vertical. Unless you turn it 90 degrees, a TV antenna is horizontal polarization. A TV antenna wouldn't work well as a scanner antenna unless what you want to listen to is close to you and then a rubber duck antenna will work fine.

Mike

 

[TXFirefighter112]

WOW!! I actually thought about that, but then I figured it was too stupid of an idea to put up! Too bad I didnt put it up, even if it was a lucky guess!
Now, at the risk of losing whatever credibility I might have left: what if I went and stood the TV antenna up on its end?

 

[W5JLF]

TXFirefighter112
All public service frequencies are vertical polarized. Some low frequencies used by HAMS are horizontal. Look at the antenna on a police car or fire truck. If it sticks up away from the vehicle, it vertical polarized. Your TV antenna is laying flat in relation to the earth therefore, it is horizontal polarized. Element lengths are how long the prongs are that stick out from the antenna. The higher the frequence the shorter the elements.

 

[N_Jay]

WOW!! I actually thought about that, but then I figured it was too stupid of an idea to put up! Too bad I didnt put it up, even if it was a lucky guess!
Now, at the risk of losing whatever credibility I might have left: what if I went and stood the TV antenna up on its end?

Think of it this way. A TV antenna is a periscope that you can not turn with a very deep red lense, so you can only see things that are red in one direction.

A scanner antenna is a lookout that lets you see in all directions and every color.

 

[TXFirefighter112]

Wow. You guys are great. Thanks for all this info!!