kphdrummer
Newbie
I am having trouble concerning my antenna (external) I bought a very broad band antenna, it doesn't work properly in the 800-900 range. Any recomendations. I have an outside pole to mount.
Pro 197 What external antenna for 800-900mhz recomendations
- Thread starter kphdrummer
- Start date
tvengr
Well Known Member
Welcome to the Radio Reference Forums! This antenna often works well: OmniX Scanner Base Antenna What coax are you using and how long is the run? LMR400 cable has low loss for the 800-900 MHz range. If you are using RG58, you will lose most of the signal in that frequency range with a long run.
rf_patriot200
Active Member
It's possible that there are P25 phase 2 trunking sites being used in your area, that your 197 Can't receive. Why do you think your antenna isn't working , and what antenna Do you have ??
OP's county's emergency services operate here. Although the system is Phase-II capable, the talkgroups in OP's county are FDMA (mode D) so the Pro 197 should be able to receive them
Last edited:
tvengr
Well Known Member
Whiskey3JMC, good point! The database shows that Morgan County is still phase 1 but that could be incorrect. Surrounding counties also show phase 1. Madison County is mostly encrypted. It would sure help to know what you are trying to monitor. Some of the sites may be simulcast.
- It's not just the "antenna", it's the antenna system -- that includes the downlead (coax), length, any filters and amplifiers.
- While the '197 can receive Phase I, and most transmissions are Phase I, the system is Phase II and channels will be mixed.
- The site doesn't state that it is simulcast, but if it is, reception via the '197 will sound garbled or perfect depending on each transmission.
- Location matters. Can your antenna "see" the tower you are receiving? If you have good solid signal strength, then likely yes.
While I operate a PRO-197, I also run an SDS-100. I use an outside discone, which some people don't like. I am using Air-802 coax from the antenna, which is an LMR-400 equivalent. I ran a lot of radios, so there's a multi-coupler (amp) equivalent in-line. Then there's all the adapters, filters and so forth. In other words, I've designed the antenna system for the highest frequency I want to monitor (900MHz) and use a receiver capable of handling Simulcast on systems where it is employed. I am also at an altitude where my antenna can indeed see the towers I want to monitor.
- While the '197 can receive Phase I, and most transmissions are Phase I, the system is Phase II and channels will be mixed.
- The site doesn't state that it is simulcast, but if it is, reception via the '197 will sound garbled or perfect depending on each transmission.
- Location matters. Can your antenna "see" the tower you are receiving? If you have good solid signal strength, then likely yes.
While I operate a PRO-197, I also run an SDS-100. I use an outside discone, which some people don't like. I am using Air-802 coax from the antenna, which is an LMR-400 equivalent. I ran a lot of radios, so there's a multi-coupler (amp) equivalent in-line. Then there's all the adapters, filters and so forth. In other words, I've designed the antenna system for the highest frequency I want to monitor (900MHz) and use a receiver capable of handling Simulcast on systems where it is employed. I am also at an altitude where my antenna can indeed see the towers I want to monitor.
