RS800 antenna

[orbital]

Just recently purchased the RS800 antenna from Radio Shack but in all honesty I can't tell
the difference between the Factory Antenna that came with my Uniden BC246T and the RS800.

What kinda experience has everyone else had with this antenna?

 

[Grog]

It depends on how well you were getting the signal before. Using the CC% feature on a pro97, I have proven better results than using the stock 97 or 246T antenna on 800 & 900 trunked systems.

 

[bwhite]

You may want to do a search of the antenna forum, this antenna is the subject of many threads.

 

[BaLa]

I'm about 40 miles from Springfield Mo.
approx. 100 ft higher in elevation

I can listen to the 800mhz trunking system with it.

\The Stock Rubber duckie wont break squelch.

 

[timmer]

I have the 800 antenna from R.S. It's ok, but far from great. I need better. I'm looking at the antennex antenna from scannermaster. Supposedly alot better, although a little more expensive. It's supposed to have more gain.

 

[mjthomas59]

If you want a good improvement over stock, and you don't want any goofing star wars antenna sticking out of your handheld(see link below) then the RS IMHO is your best bet. Its small, looks nice, and is proven to work well. Plus it is pretty cheap and has been available at every radioshack i've ever been in.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/2891.html

I can pick up trunking systems over 20 miles away with the RS 800mhz antenna, and as was mentioned above, with the stock antenna, i couldn't even get it to break squelch. Not sure what other options are out there, but i can personally vouch that the RS antenna is WAY ahead in terms of reception when compared to the stock antenna, the Diamond RH77ca, or the Austin Condor. I've tried all 4 on the same night on 4 different radios and the RS outperformed them all.

On the downside i would call it deaf on VHF-Hi and VHF-Lo, in fact from my experience the stock antenna outperforms the RS on those bands, but i think that is to be expected.

 

[cabfeegig]

I agree with the above post - the RS800 is a good antenna - but for 800MHZ. I also have the RH77ca, and it is better on lower frequecies, so as usual, it all depends on what you want to listening to...

 

[W5TWX]

I agree with the above post - the RS800 is a good antenna - but for 800MHZ. I also have the RH77ca, and it is better on lower frequecies, so as usual, it all depends on what you want to listening to...

I agree also. I have both and tried a few others as well. The RS has better ears than any other in the 800-900MHz range. The only one that i've heard of that is supposedly better is called the "SEEKER 800". Haven't tried that one yet. Would like to hear from someone that has...

 

[mbird97x]

The real question here is How have you compared these? I mean, if you were receiving 800 OK with the stock antenna, then you probably won't see much difference. Now if you were to drive to where your 800 reception starts dwindling with the stock antenna, switch to the 800 and compare reception. I know in my case, My county comes in the same with either, but, on a trunked system over 25 miles away, the scanner w/ stock ant. won't even show it's scanning that system because it isn't hearing the control channel. With the 800RS, I can get it most times depending on My position in the house and band conditions. That to Me spelled the difference.

 

[timmer]

Go to www.scannermaster.com, click on antennas, back of set, or portable antennas. It's the 2.5 db gain antenna by antennex. It is not like the Max systems one with radials going everywhere. It's just a duck type antenna. Supposed to be very good.

 

[radiowatcher_06]

I bought the antennex 800 Mhz rubber duck BNC antenna recently and I still think the RS800 out performs the antennex when it come to receiving systems at great distances, however I find the antennex out performs the RS antenna when it comes to receiving local trunking systems.

I guess I set my expectations a bit too high when it comes to the antennex

 

[bwhite]

I agree also. I have both and tried a few others as well. The RS has better ears than any other in the 800-900MHz range. The only one that i've heard of that is supposedly better is called the "SEEKER 800". Haven't tried that one yet. Would like to hear from someone that has...

You should be able to find this info among the antenna threads.

 

[BaLa]

On the downside i would call it deaf on VHF-Hi and VHF-Lo, in fact from my experience the stock antenna outperforms the RS on those bands, but i think that is to be expected.

this is actually kind of funny.
But most places in Springfield I could hear Troop D Dispatch with the 800mhz Antenna on my Pro97, even in St Johns Hospital, where I had trouble picking up the TRS inside.

I guess that doesn't mean it's any good at VHF-Lo though
I think they Tx with like 5k Watts or something.

 

[orbital]

Yeah, I was picking up my local 800mhz trunked system pretty well to begin with. I guess when you have pretty good reception already it won't make that big of a difference. I know when I travel it will come in handy. I have notice however after using it for awhile that the clarity seems to be better. I'm not really getting any more distance but better sound quality.

 

[bwhite]

Yeah, I was picking up my local 800mhz trunked system pretty well to begin with. I guess when you have pretty good reception already it won't make that big of a difference. I know when I travel it will come in handy. I have notice however after using it for awhile that the clarity seems to be better. I'm not really getting any more distance but better sound quality.

If you are hearing "crackle" now and you use a better antenna or move closer to the transmitter you'll notice a reduction in the crackle which I suppose equates to pulling in a more solid signal. Found this out thru much frustrating experimentation over the years.

 

[Don9330]

I have a BC246T and purchased the RS 800mhz antenna about a month ago. I'm in So. Calif. and am located near allot of the 800 mhz trunked systems. I find it get a slight . . and I do mean slight better reception. It does look better the stock antenna but that's about it.

I did however just order the 4" stubby 800mhz antenna from Antenex, a bit more $. . $21 plus $10 shipping. I'll let you know the comparison between the two when it comes in.