R$ 'Discone'
Hi,
There is no such 'animal' as an "all-band" (30-50/150-174/406-512/800-1.3ghz) antenna. What is
being passed off for a discone is really a poor ground plane. A true discone's top element is either
a metal disc, .7 the diameter of the lowest freq. and the "skirt" is a ¼ wave length of the lowest
frequency. If the antenna hears VHF Lo-band (30-50 mhz), it's NOT going to hear the 800 mhz
trunked freqs.
Depending on how far you are away from the intended reception, you need the best antenna you
and get or build yourself. If you live near by and don't have a lot of pager 'traffic', a simple ground
plane can be made from an SO-239, some #12 solid copper wire, some soldering or crimp lugs and
4-40 hardware. There are plenty of plans on the I-net. "Google is your friend", LOL!
If you need something more elaborate, then on-line reasearch is best. Just remember, there are a
LOT of antenna makers. Antennas are like fishing lures.....They catch more "fisherman" than "fish".
A lot depends on your individual circumstances...distance from station, antenna height, possible co-
channel or "bleedover" interference. If you live some distance from the stations a directional yagi or
quad (vertically polarized) maybe what you want. I prefer to "roll-my-own", as I've been an antenna
expirimenter since 1958.
Respectfully,
73,
Don/KA5LQJ