The antenna is working great! It actually works much better than a 4' long yagi I tried previously. I think the big yagi had too much gain. The Blue Wave it just right, full signal bars yet directional enough to help null out interfering sites.
New SDS200 arrived!
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The antenna is working great! It actually works much better than a 4' long yagi I tried previously. I think the big yagi had too much gain. The Blue Wave it just right, full signal bars yet directional enough to help null out interfering sites.
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I believe those are banned now. Fire hazard.
I think you're right. They also have mercury in them so if you were to drop one and break it Homeland Security's Hazmat team would probably condemn your house!
Thanks iMONITOR. I am in a really heavy simulcast area, and I thought I read an antenna would actually make reception e\worse. I don't know but I will read later on this. As far as those mercury filled lights, I would vacuum them up and call it a day.
Depending on many factors, scanner model, location, number of antenna sites, etc. Using the newer SDS series scanners I don't think any antennas would make reception worse. The problem is when the numerous antenna sites in a simulcast system bombard older scanners with redundant signals on the same frequency. A smaller or less efficient antenna would often ignore some this redundancy as their signals would likely be weaker.
I totally agree on the mercury. When I was a kid I used to play with mercury often, coating coins and rolling a puddle of it in the palm of my hand! I'm 70 and it hasn't killed me yet! Brain damage? Quite possible.
Disclaimer: Kids don't try that at home!
Took my SDS200 out of the box today. I haven't plugged it in to use it yet. My serial number is 384Z0800003XX. I reckon this was build this year in 2020, is that correct? Out of curiosity, those of you on this thread who just bought one recently, what is your serial numbers?
Not with the SDS series. They don't need you to play games with directional antennas or attenuation to receive simulcast signals correctly.
Yes that would be a 2020 model,I have 2 that are 2019 models 1256 and 3255 purchased from Bearcat Warehouse in February and this month.
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That’s where mine came from. They must be selling a fair amount of these things since yours were late 2019 models and they’ve already produced, shipped, and sold units from their initial batch of 2020 models.
Much improved audio over my 436. It does have the hum, albeit very very faint. I mean I need to pick it up and put the speaker 3 inches from my ear or I can’t hear it. I don’t hear it at all if it is sitting on the table even if I put my head down and touch my ear to the scanner, that’s how faint it is. So it would appear it is nothing I’m going to hear from normal operation as this was in a quiet room I used it in. Not sure if the mod would be worth doing at this point unless it gets louder.
I too took the plunge very recently and finally ordered a new SDS200 for some upgraded home entertainment, while I tele-work from home here at Scott AFB.
S/N 98 0034XX ordered the 21st of April, promptly shipped the next day, and delivered on the 25th from Bearcat Warehouse.
I was surprised I took delivery of a 2019 model ordered from such a large volume supplier, this late into the year. I reckon there's no rhyme or reason to disbursement as far as "last in / first out" stock rotation, based on the experiences reported by others here.
It is REALLY NICE to be able to scan the St Clair County Illinois Simulcast (STARCOM21 Statewide Illinois) system, and hear the full conversations once again.
I'm using an LPD Omni-X antenna on ground level, stood up against an outside window, while living here in USAF base housing. No hum whatsoever, as some users have reported.
IMonitor, quick question from this thread. I did some research on your PCTEL Bluewave Marathon BMYD806D Yagi and I can't seem to find a vendor. I'm interested in rigging up this small yagi on a stand in the backyard and pointing it at the St Louis Metro area, about 20 miles or so from the base here. Are you allowed to share your vendor?
I'm finally able to ship my defective BCD436 and 536 units back to Uniden under the timeclock repair campaign, now that I have the new SDS200 covering in their absence.
Actually I found mine on Ebay for a resonable $69.95 new! They show up there often. If you were to find one at a commercial vendor I think they go for around $120.00. Ebay has one that "looks" like mine but the band it too high, 890-896 so you don't want that. They have several yagi antennas that are 806-896MHz (same as mine) from different manufactures at reasonable prices.
Yagi 806 for sale | eBay
Get the best deals for Yagi 806 at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!
www.ebay.com
This is the larger, higher gain yagi I used to have for a really good price!
Yagi Base Directional Radio Antenna 806-896 MHz 12 Element 11dBd Gain BR6388 800 | eBay
Browning p/n BR6388. Fully Welded Yagi Antenna with mounting brackets. 806-896 MHz band split. 11 dBd gain. For use with repeater systems, data radio, base stations, etc.
www.ebay.com
I appreciate your prompt reply, iMONITOR. This is from the company website. I understand to look for the 806 model, not the 890 band. It appears to me that they tailor to several lengths and corresponding gain levels. I don't need anything too long, as you mentioned earlier.Actually I found mine on Ebay for a resonable $69.95 new! They show up there often. If you were to find one at a commercial vendor I think they go for around $120.00. Ebay has one that "looks" like mine but the band it too high, 890-896 so you don't want that. They have several yagi antennas that are 806-896MHz (same as mine) from different manufactures at reasonable prices.
Yagi 806 for sale | eBay
Get the best deals for Yagi 806 at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!www.ebay.com
This is the larger, higher gain yagi I used to have for a really good price!
Yagi Base Directional Radio Antenna 806-896 MHz 12 Element 11dBd Gain BR6388 800 | eBay
Browning p/n BR6388. Fully Welded Yagi Antenna with mounting brackets. 806-896 MHz band split. 11 dBd gain. For use with repeater systems, data radio, base stations, etc.www.ebay.com
View attachment 83862
Cheers mate.
How do you know thats a 2020 model?
Thanks!
How well constructed is this antenna? For the price ($50) I'd like one to monitor the state police system in southeastern Mass. Can't pick it up here with vertical.Actually I found mine on Ebay for a resonable $69.95 new! They show up there often. If you were to find one at a commercial vendor I think they go for around $120.00. Ebay has one that "looks" like mine but the band it too high, 890-896 so you don't want that. They have several yagi antennas that are 806-896MHz (same as mine) from different manufactures at reasonable prices.
Yagi 806 for sale | eBay
Get the best deals for Yagi 806 at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!www.ebay.com
This is the larger, higher gain yagi I used to have for a really good price!
Yagi Base Directional Radio Antenna 806-896 MHz 12 Element 11dBd Gain BR6388 800 | eBay
Browning p/n BR6388. Fully Welded Yagi Antenna with mounting brackets. 806-896 MHz band split. 11 dBd gain. For use with repeater systems, data radio, base stations, etc.www.ebay.com
View attachment 83862
They're very sturdy. All welded steel construction and a really heavy duty mast clamp. I think it's rated for 100 MPH winds.
I have an SDS200 on the way....just ordered it. Been using a BCD996P2 but the simulcast distortion finally drove me to take drastic measures and ordered the radio about 40 minutes ago. I also have a new OMNI X antenna, and wondering how it works for you on 800mhz. I read that this OMNI X antenna is really optimized and tuned for the aircraft band, vhf and some uhf. But on the DPD website they claim the OMNI X is suitable for 800 mhz as well. I am not using the omni for 800 mhz till my SDS200 gets here. But so far on VHF and UHF it does pretty well.I too took the plunge very recently and finally ordered a new SDS200 for some upgraded home entertainment, while I tele-work from home here at Scott AFB.
S/N 98 0034XX ordered the 21st of April, promptly shipped the next day, and delivered on the 25th from Bearcat Warehouse.
I was surprised I took delivery of a 2019 model ordered from such a large volume supplier, this late into the year. I reckon there's no rhyme or reason to disbursement as far as "last in / first out" stock rotation, based on the experiences reported by others here.
It is REALLY NICE to be able to scan the St Clair County Illinois Simulcast (STARCOM21 Statewide Illinois) system, and hear the full conversations once again.
No hum whatsoever, as some users have reported.
IMonitor, quick question from this thread. I did some research on your PCTEL Bluewave Marathon BMYD806D Yagi and I can't seem to find a vendor. I'm interested in rigging up this small yagi on a stand in the backyard and pointing it at the St Louis Metro area, about 20 miles or so from the base here. Are you allowed to share your vendor?
I'm finally able to ship my defective BCD436 and 536 units back to Uniden under the timeclock repair campaign, now that I have the new SDS200 covering in their absence.
Right now I use a DPD 800mhz mag mount on a ground plate up in gutter on 2nd story roof. Right above my shack window. Its connected to my BCD996P2 and other than occasional simulcast issues, the antenna works VERY good. Maybe cause its specifically cut for 800mhz.
DPD Productions makets two different "Omni" antennas. One is considered a wide band general scanning antenna. The other is called the "MilTenna Omni UHF/VHF Base Antenna" which is designed and optimized toward VHF and UHF aircraft bands, both civilian and military. It would not be a good choice for the 700-800MHz bands. The regular Omnix X would be the better choice if you're also wanting to use it for the 700-800MHz bands.
OmniX Scanner Base Antenna
OmniX Scanner Base Antenna
Specs Gain: 3 VHF 4 UHF dBi Pattern: Omni-directional Wavelength: 1/2 Elements: 3 Tuned: 118-137, 148-175 & 225-900 MHz Band: UHF & VHF Connector: N Female Cable: RG8X Cable Length: 16 Inches Height: 45" Width: 30" Weight: 2 lb Features Multi Band-Wide Coverage: The uniquely...
dpdproductions.com
MilTenna Omni UHF/VHF Base Antenna
Air Omni UHF/VHF Base Antenna
Specs Gain: 3 VHF 4 UHF dBi Pattern: Omni-directional Wavelength: 1/2 Elements: 3 Tuned: 225-400, 118-137 & 138-140 MHz Band: UHF & VHF Air Connector: N Female Cable: RG8X Cable Length: 24 Inches Height: 45" Width: 30" Weight: 2 lb Features Tuned to UHF & VHF Air Bands: The uniquely...
dpdproductions.com
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