New Base antenna: Help

[KW4EZR]

Hello to everyone. I am in the market for a new Base antenna. My main areas of focus are the VHF Hi and the UHF band. The only thing in my area in the 800 MHz range is a small trunked system for the power company; so I am not very interested in this range. My budget only calls for about $70 and I have had a Discone in the past with little luck. I have an agreement with a local TV station to call in interesting news tips and their main area of focus includes areas that are as much as 60 miles away; and not in the same directions so a beam would be out of the questions. As much gain a possible would be great, what do you think? All and any help would be appreciated.

Darren

 

[JGP]

Try a Scantenna. It has served me well for years. It can be purchased at www.antennawarehouse.com for $49.00.

You will find that it works better than some antennas that cost over $100.00

Joel

 

[jred184]

You could try a jpole. Mine is tuned for 146MHz but picks up a lot more. Won't do 800MHz though, but it picks up great from low band to UHF.

Look at my reception post:
http://www.radioreference.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=26690

You can find the measurements at :
http://www.hamuniverse.com/jpole.html

It took about $15 to make mine. Very easy to make.

You could also make a copper cactus that only needs one feed, and works on 146MHz, 440MHz, and 900MHz. There are lots of plans for that one to. It is pretty much a stacked jpole. It's alot of fun to make them.

JRed

 

[Tweekerbob]

Try a Cushcraft Dual Band Ringo (Ranger). Shorten it up a bit (as the instructions will be for 2m/440) and it will do a bang up job for you. I think they are right around $70.

Ryan