RadioShack Antenna advice

[krokus]

Well, Montana gets lots of snow. At times I've had up to 4 feet of snow. So, When the snow melts. It would destroy the antenna regardless of where and how it's mounted. The only REAL option would buy a 300-foot tower and mount it in the back yard. That option is not feasible due to cost.

Melting snow will not destroy an antenna, unless the antenna was made of sugar, or there is enough runoff to damage the house. Even regular snow will not harm most antennas, as they are too small to hold any significant snow amount. Ice can be another matter, but a VHF ground plane is not likely to gather that much ice.

If you are receiving signals with a handheld, you will pick up signals from much further away, with an outdoor antenna.

Meanwhile, a ground plane antenna, using a baking sheet, or cookie pan, as the ground plane might help.

 

[bharvey2]

Looking up your county, it seems that all of your frequencies fall in to one band in the 150-160mhz range. This can make for a pretty simple antenna - Maybe a 1/4 way ground plane or a vertical dipole. You could probably make one that is stout enough handle the weather. While it may not be ideal (depending upon your house's construction) you could mount it in your attic.

 

[N8IAA]

Thanks. I already have that information.

In the database, click on the FCC license, it's in blue next to the frequencies. You will see where the towers are in relation to your residence.

A 5/8 wave magmount antenna on a metal filing cabinet will give you some gain in the house. You'd be surprised what you will hear.

JMTCW

 

[stingray327]

In the rural location you are at, is there really a lot of signals out there for you to monitor? It's mostly VHF freqs. not digital? In that case the signals will usually carry more distance. The best thing would be to get an external antenna up there. Perhaps the mountains are in the way?

 

[N8IAA]

In the rural location you are at, is there really a lot of signals out there for you to monitor? It's mostly VHF freqs. not digital? In that case the signals will usually carry more distance. The best thing would be to get an external antenna up there. Perhaps the mountains are in the way?

Read Post #14. It will answer your question.