RADIOSHACK SCANNER ANTENNA

[scannerman200]

I have an outside scanner antenna that I got from radio shack. I am using rg-6 coax cable. I have it up about 12 feet off the ground. Does anyone know why I would get alot of static on my scanner? This antenna has three radial rods, there is also one in the center with two small ones next to it.

 

[schnit]

If I had to make a guess given the information you put down, I would say its the cable you are using. RG-6 is cable tv/satellite tv cable, which by the way is 75 ohm. You want 50 ohm RG-58, RG-8 cable for a scanner antenna, preferrably the later of the two. I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure you dont want to use RG-6 for scanner antenna cable.

 

[K5MAR]

The 50 vs. 75 ohm cable topic has been debated to death here and elsewhere. The short answer is that, according to bigger guns than me (like Bob Parness), this isn't a big factor on a receive only system, as the characterisitc impedience of a broadband antenna varies wildly over it's range.

What does matter is the quality of the coax, and the length of the run. RG-6QS (Quad Shield), such as is used in sat. dish installs, should work just fine for scanner reception. Don't get the RS RG-58 or RG-8 coax, it's low quality, high loss. Quality connectors and their proper installation is also important.

I'm assuming by "static", you mean poor reception, but you don't supply enough details - frequencies, distance to systems being monitored, etc., to make much of an evaluation.

I'd suggest that you get the antenna higher, at least 20 feet. And depending on the frequencies you wish to receive, you may need to get a better antenna. I'm guessing you are using the RS 20-176 antenna, which is really only good for VHF-Hi, in spite of the fact that it's has those two little spikes for 800 MHz that you mention. Something like a good discone (not the RS model, it's junk!).

Mark S.

 

[Radiorick]

This I'm sure is covered else where on the forum, but if the RS discone is
junk what would you recommend in its place?

 

[918Dave]

I've had great results with the 20-043 from Radio Shack, 30' above my roof top. Can't remember the exact cable I'm using, (it's been up for over 8 years and counting) but it was low loss Beldin. Dave

 

[BoxAlarm187]

This I'm sure is covered else where on the forum, but if the RS discone is
junk what would you recommend in its place?

While I don't know if the RS model is junk, I've been using a Diamond D-130J at about 40' for over 10 years now. This is what I'd consider a "professional grade" model for a discone, and it's survived snow storms, ice storms, a "real" hurricane, and a plague of locusts with no problems.

 

[K5MAR]

The RS discone is considered junk due to the poor quality of materials. The elements are rolled tubes with small threaded stub crimped in the ends. These break very easily. The others, such as the Diamond, use solid rods and the threaded end of the rods are a larger thread size, so they are much less prone to breakage. The RS discone would do ok in an inside installation, such as the attic, but put one outside and the wind and ice are going to destroy it quickly.

Mark S.

 

[Radiorick]

Ah.....you are correct about the "rods..rays whatever you would like to call them" what I ASSUMED was the signal quality...

 

[Radiorick]

Ah.....you are correct about the "rods..rays whatever you would like to call them" what I ASSUMED was the signal quality...

 

[Radiorick]

I've had one of these bad boys for almost a year, and the only issue I've had with it was when my dog decided to run through the rods....(she was okay but took a rod out of commission)

 

[johnnyreb1121]

:wink:

As I put into another thread I have had a RS discone for about 15 years running RG8 and am very happy with no problems and it has survived several windstorms with no problems whatever. They may make them different now but mine is great.

 

[loumaag]

I have an outside scanner antenna that I got from radio shack. I am using rg-6 coax cable. I have it up about 12 feet off the ground. Does anyone know why I would get alot of static on my scanner? This antenna has three radial rods, there is also one in the center with two small ones next to it.

The antenna described here is the RS 20-176 VHF-Hi/UHF Scanner Antenna. (Not the discone.) As far as the feed, (75 vs 50 ohm) it should not be a factor in the noise. I will say that the closer this antenna is to ground, the worse it works. As a wide band antenna, it suffers the same as all wide band antennas as far as sucking in noise, like a vacumn cleaner. :lol:

I have several of these (they work great as portable ham VHF/UHF antennas BTW) and have noted over the years that the higher I put them, and hence the more "in the clear" they get, the better they work and the less made made static they pick up.

 

[Lil_mule]

RS Junk Ant

I have 1 of those antenna's mounted on my awning roof and tell you what it work's great . btw the model i have doesn't have rolled rod's . it's solid with the threaded end . i'd say the antenna is about 20ft up and it'll pick up about any freq i put in my scanner . i'm using rg-58 right at 20ft it hasn't been cut or anything but by god it work's

 

[STiMULi]

[OK KILL ME IT IS A REPOST INTSEAD OF A REDIRECT]

I can probably get one put up outside, but if there's something that works inside, it would great.

The Discone continues to be the best general coverage antenna you can get.

"Probably" means you should. If there is no good reason why you can't, for no other reason other than just plain old reception capabilities you should get one put up outside.

Also, how would something like this: http://www.scannermaster.com/store/15-540715.html work over the stock antenna?

Okay... but a full size discone w/ aerial is much better

I own an ICOM 700 I have had for about 15 years but this is just like it at 1/2 the price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...amp;item=5739590403&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

Even with the vertical element bent over inside your attic (if you can install it like that) is 1000x better than any stock antenna.

 

[PLamarine]

I just picked up a 20-043 Discone for $39 delivered on Ebay and installed it in my attic. I now get zero static, and am pulling in channels I did not get before. Love this antenna.