RS 20-283 800MHZ Antenna: WOW!

[jkm]

Hello to all,

I was looking for an antenna to replace the stock antenna that comes with the BCT396D and I ran across this 20-283 800MHz antenna from Radio Shack, and it claimed on the package to "Nearly double the signal available to the scanner." I was skeptical about that, but decided to give it a shot...
WOW, WHAT A SURPRISE! I don't know if it's double the signal available but it's sure a lot more than any of the stock rubber duck antennas I have for any of my scanners! I can hear systems now reliably that before were marginal.
Also tested it out on 450/460 and it seems to perform very well there, close to the same as the stock rubber duck antennas if not a little better. There is performance degradation on VHF, but I think that's to be expected, the antenna isn't that long

Has anyone else had similar results/experiences with this antenna? I'm on my way out the door to go back to the Shack to get one for each of my scanners!

Justin/W1IX

 

[Junior08]

One of the best antennas out there! Well worth the money.

 

[351stGoff]

I picked up one of these antennas for my Pro-97 on the advice of a radio shack associate. There's probably some improvement over the stock duck antenna, but I didn't notice a significant difference. Definately not worse though. Still glad I bought it though, any improvement over the stock antenna is an improvement worth investment. Working on installing an exterior mobile antenna on my truck now.

 

[351stGoff]

Sorry...double post. Errg

 

[amusement]

It's a great antenna compared to the stock rubber one for freqs around 800mhz.

 

[MB]

What about on VHF-Hi and VHF-lo - how does it compare to the stock antenna on these bands?

 

[amusement]

Antenna works at 400mhz probably as good as the stock rubber one.

I have a Diamond RH77CA I use for 400mhz. It does a much better job than
the Radio Shack 800mhz antenna.

If you are look'in for a one antenna does it all ... you going to be dissappointed.
Radio Shack has a metal antenna that has different sections. This would serve
as an all around good antenna. I think the metal Radio Shack antenna is $19 USD or less.

 

[oldzy]

I ordered a 20-283 from RS in the states and had it shipped through a mail forwarder, since we don't have those antennas here (thesource).

It was a definite improvement over the stock antenna on my 330T. 800MHz was greatly improved anyway, since that is all I listen to currently.

 

[John_M]

amusement Wrote:

If you are look'in for a one antenna does it all ... you going to be dissappointed.
Radio Shack has a metal antenna that has different sections. This would serve
as an all around good antenna. I think the metal Radio Shack antenna is $19 USD or less.

I have found the telescopic handheld antenna from RS to be very good at low band
around 45mhz, fair at 150mhz and 460mhz and poor at 800mhz.

 

[schriber]

Interesting. I have a similar antenna but longer (9.5" from BNC to tip) and I couldn't remember where I'd gotten it. It's great for longer wavelengths. I've had it for years.

I'll have to get one of these now!

Speaking of improved performance... has anyone tried this Austin Condor antenna sold by Scanner Master? It's long (13") but if it works as advertised...

Mike

 

[MB]

Austin Condor

Thats a good question! I have always wondered about the Austin Condor. Has anyone tried this? How does it compre to the RH77CA? Is it as flexible as the RH77CA?

Interesting. I have a similar antenna but longer (9.5" from BNC to tip) and I couldn't remember where I'd gotten it. It's great for longer wavelengths. I've had it for years.

I'll have to get one of these now!

Speaking of improved performance... has anyone tried this Austin Condor antenna sold by Scanner Master? It's long (13") but if it works as advertised...

Mike

 

[bwhite]

There should be lots of previous comments on the Austin antenna, search the forums.
In short, for 800, it is a tad better than the RS, but, cost twice as much and is very long (making it less portable from a comfort standpoint if you wear it on your belt.)

 

[ke5lvt]

i use a roof mount myself, but i tried many glass mount antennas. an 800MHZ antenna works best for 800 band. but a uhf glass mount (like the radio shack model) covers from vhf to 800 pretty good.

 

[Ghost4658]

The best duck ant I have ever used!
Pro-37
Pro 2042
pro-97
pro-2055

 

[JustinD]

I just picked one up to use on my BC246T and think it improved reception quite a bit. Much quieter signal for my local pd too.

 

[Alain]

Some time ago, someone on the web did a side-by-side comparison of all the "rubber duckie" antennas that were available for the h/h scanner.

Personally, I bought the Diamond RH77CA and have not looked back on any of the antennas I had previously. I'm up in the mountains and I get reception like none other with it on my Pro-95. Just my $.02...

Here's the link; judge for yourself...

http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/antenna.html

 

[bwhite]

Some time ago, someone on the web did a side-by-side comparison of all the "rubber duckie" antennas that were available for the h/h scanner.

Personally, I bought the Diamond RH77CA and have not looked back on any of the antennas I had previously. I'm up in the mountains and I get reception like none other with it on my Pro-95. Just my $.02...

Here's the link; judge for yourself...

http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/antenna.html

Nice resource at this site, but he's made mention that he'll put his notes up for a long time. Not trying to nag him into putting the info up, but, I'm really curious about the nitty-gritty of what he found.