Outdoor Antenna?

[c_b_mazur]

I recently was given a Super Big Stick 176-GBSU Antenna. I was wondering if it would work as a outdoor antenna for a Uniden BC350C Scanner? I would need to redo all the exterior cable but before I drop money on it I wonder if it would even work on this application.

 

[n5ims]

That should work fine for scanning the CB frequencies on your scanner, but probably won't work too well on the higher frequencies used by many of what you'll probably want to listen to on your scanner. For that you'll need an antenna designed for those frequencies instead. Check the RR database (using the Databases button above) to see what frequencies the agencies you want to hear are using. If they're above 40 or 50 MHz, that antenna won't do you much good, I'm afraid and you'll need to get an antenna that's designed to cover where you want to listen.

 

[K7CAR]

Yes, that antenna is designed for VHF marine frequencies 156-164 mhz, so should work excellent as a scanner antenna. Won't be ideal on 800 mhz, but being so large should work fine. It's a tough antenna and should last many years.

 

[n5ims]

If it is designed for the VHF Marine band, it should work fine on your scanner for use on the VHF-Hi band (think 140 - 170 MHz). If it's this one though (Shakespeare Antenna Specifications: Shakespeare Marine Big Stick™ 176-1 CB Marine) it's designed for the CB band (although for use on a boat where no ground plane is available) and what I said earlier would be correct.

Shakespeare Style 176-1 Marine Big Stick™
18’ (5.5m) CB Marine 7.65dB

1/2-wave Coaxial CB antenna

For work boat and large yacht installation, the Style 176-1 provides maximum performance and durability for long distance communication.


Chrome-plated brass ferrule with standard 1in-14 thread
SO-239 connector on the side of the ferrule
Suggested mount: Style 409-R or 410-R Mounting Kit (each sold separately)
Two sections
7.65 dBi Gain
Frequency: 27 MHz Citizens Band
Two sections
2 Sections: Base: 120in; Tip 96in

 

[K7CAR]

This is what I found.



"The Shakespeare 176-GBSU is a VHF MARINE RADIO ANTENNA

For Boat installations - ship to shore communications.

Operates on all US and International VHF Marine Frequencies and has EXTENDED coverage for the 162Mhz NOAA radio for weather announcements and warnings.

Technical Specifications:

5/8 WAVE 16' VHF Marine Band Antenna
2 section's
BASE ~ 120"
TIP ~ 66"

156-164 MHz US & International frequencies with extended coverage for the 162Mhz NOAA radio

SWR: 1.5:1 at 156.8 MHz

Gain 7.65dbi ,

Impedance: 50 Ohm, Max

Input (Watts)200

100MPH+ Wind Load

UHF female SO-239 Connection"

 

[n5ims]

Hopefully between what I found and what K7CAR found the OP can take measurements and verify exactly which "Big Stick" they have. Since they use standard PL-259 connectors it may be worthwhile doing a temporary hookup to see how it works for them (probably a good idea anyway) prior to spending too much time and effort.

The advantage with a scanner (over a transmitter) is if it works fine for what you want to hear there's no harm to be done even if it isn't specifically designed for the frequency range. Something that can cause serious issues with a transmitter may just cause a bit less range on a scanner.