Pre-amp 3100

[cassidy1190]

I hate to dig this topic out of the dead, but I got new cable (LMR-400) and moved the antenna up higher. It works great except for the fact I still cant get the state police trunked system (800MHz). It’s still very hard to make out the transmission (probably due to the discone antenna not made for this spectrum). I don’t want to get a new antenna and was considering a preamp again. The pre-amp 3100 is discontinued, but I can still get the portable one. I like it because I can clip it right to the antenna and run the cable from it to the scanner. Do you think this preamp is the way to go or do you have any better ideas?

here is the link for the preamp...

https://www.greamerica.com/shop/cgi...46&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=scan003&cat=&catstr=

 

[RUSTY_SHACKAFORD]

Try:
http://www.grove-ent.com/PREAMPLIFIERS.html

 

[bsavery]

I hate to dig this topic out of the dead, but I got new cable (LMR-400) and moved the antenna up higher. It works great except for the fact I still cant get the state police trunked system (800MHz). It’s still very hard to make out the transmission (probably due to the discone antenna not made for this spectrum). I don’t want to get a new antenna and was considering a preamp again. The pre-amp 3100 is discontinued, but I can still get the portable one. I like it because I can clip it right to the antenna and run the cable from it to the scanner. Do you think this preamp is the way to go or do you have any better ideas?

here is the link for the preamp...

https://www.greamerica.com/shop/cgi...46&act=&aff=&pg=prod&ref=scan003&cat=&catstr=

If your antenna is not made for the frequency, putting an pre-amp isn't really going to help you much, if any. It can't amplify what it can't receive.

For the price of that amp (or maybe 20 bucks more) you can get a good Discone to replace yours that does cover the 800 mhz band.

Bob

 

[mancow]

I disagree. If you're getting the signal and it's noisy the preamp just might work. It does for me here. With the knob all the way down I get no 800 reception of trunked systems in adjoining counties. Once it's up about half way I can pull atleast two of them in fine.

It's always a gamble but it may provide that extra little bit needed to get it done.

mancow

 

[doctordave]

Anyone have personal experience w/ the Ramsey pre-amp that is posted on the Grove page (link above) in the VHF-Low band (30-40 MHZ) range? I'm very familiar w/ the GRE units, but have not encountered this one before.

 

[N_Jay]

Anyone have personal experience w/ the Ramsey pre-amp that is posted on the Grove page (link above) in the VHF-Low band (30-40 MHZ) range? I'm very familiar w/ the GRE units, but have not encountered this one before.

I would have trouble believing you need a pre-amp at 40 MHz.
The noise floor is so high that even a bad receiver should be colse to optimum.
Line loss should be minimal unless you are running a long piece of realy crappy line.

 

[doctordave]

OK....thanks, N_Jay.

 

[John_M]

can anyone refer me to a website, or jsut tell me how to put BNC connectors onto a cable? lol reall noob question, i know.

To put any connector on a cable correctly, you have to use the right crimping tool for the connector. These crimping tools are expensive,
over $50.00 apiece. You can solder the connector on. But the best way to do it is with a special crimping tool designed specifically for the connector you want to put on. Try to find an electronics shop in your area that will make the cable for you. Buy some coax from RS and take it to the shop.
There must be some websites out there that you can have the work done for you, but I don't know of any.
I worked in an engineering unit for Kodak and spent most of my time in a lab working on circuit boards, making cables with all kinds of connectors, and alot of running around. Most of the cables that I made had nothing to do with coax. Everytime I needed to have a coax cable made I had somebody do it for me. These connectors are not easy to put on, you have to know what you are doing.

John.