ScanMaster Desktop Discone

[RagnarD]

Has anyone here used the ScanMaster Desktop Discone Antenna? If so how did you like it?

I know it is rather pricey (almost 100.00 U.S.) but where I live we have restricted covenants.

I am also embarassed to admit that in almost 30 years of amateur radio (I have not been active since the late 90's) I have always been an appliance operator (no flames from any old timers are necessary, thank you. However, my cw is still pretty good ).

I have no interest in

1. Gathering the materials for the antenna
2. Figuring out the formula(s) to build the antenna
2. Building the antenna
3. Boring holes in my largest investment to route coax cable, etc.

I guess in this modern-age of folks "wanting something for nothing" I am looking for a good wide-band antenna to use in my office.

Thanks in advance

 

[jwatters]

Desktop Discone

Did you ever purchase one? I am looking at this one or I think its the same from the UK company Maplin Electronics - SKy Scan Desktop Discone.

I too live in a condo - external masts and gear is not an option. I too used to operate as a HAM former call KB7NHD, techPlus - I also used to build rigs for mountain-topping and such - The best one I ever built was a 2M jPole out of 5/8" copper water pipe.

But alas I too now have only just a little more money than time and I would much rather be an end user than manufacturer.

I am looking at getting this antenna for an indoor all band solution for my analog and digital triple trunking scanners - hand helds and base that I am going to buy (Grecom PSR600). I've seen a few 800MHz only groundplanes that look sweet not sure of performance tho I know you can't loose on the ground-plane but I scan more than one band and don't have a scanner dedicated to just 800MHz

Anyway just was wondering if you did pick this up and how you liked it.


cheers

 

[KK4HG]

I too am curious about this antenna. I lost an auction for one today on eBay. It sure might solve some antenna issues for my apartment dwelling self!

 

[k2epm]

I have had one for about 12 years, love it!

 

[FLRAILMAN]

Scanmaster desktop discone

Are you referring to this?

Scanmaster Desktop

FLRAILMAN

 

[mancow]

It doesn't look much like a discone but rather a collection of mobile and portable antennas all stuck together. I sure wouldn't expect much.

 

[DPD1]

For multiple bands, I personally would prefer a clip and connector on a cable, with a decent dual band hand-held antenna, or maybe a couple different antennas. The key to indoors is really placement and being able to put it anywhere you want. I'm sure everybody has experienced the deal where you move the radio 10" and the signal goes from nothing to everything.

 

[scannersnstuff]

don't waste your money. that thing was the biggest waste of $100.00 ever. what a piece o' crap !.

 

[KK4HG]

Guess I'm gonna find out the hard way...like everything else in my life.

 

[DickH]

don't waste your money. that thing was the biggest waste of $100.00 ever. what a piece o' crap !.

What? How can you belittle such a wonderful design by none other than Mr. Rube Goldberg?

 

[izzyj4]

Would have been better with a single element with tuned coils rather than all those elements sticking out of it.

 

[iMONITOR]

Here is their deluxe model!

 

[nanZor]

I'd be tempted to pull off all the rubber ducks and other top elements, and turn it into a bona-fide discone for UHF and above.

Cut some aluminum pie-plate into a circle, and screw it down under that nut. Maybe some discone owners could suggest the right top circumference for that size cone....

 

[KF0SKV]

Here is their deluxe model!

That "deluxe model" would make the wife happier, it's functional, and nobody would know the difference, maybe except for the coax hanging out the bottom. hehe.

 

[mrkelso]

Who sells these things?

 

[KK4HG]

The desktop discone is available from:

rocketradio.com

Diamond makes D220 that is not quite as broad banded but is probably a bit better quality wise. Here is a link to it as well:

http://http://www.diamond-ant.jp/ama2/eng_ama_2_5_1.asp

Scroll to the bottom ofthe page. The picture is not very good so here is another:

Diamond® Antenna ~ D220

 

[perseus68]

Are you referring to this?

Scanmaster Desktop

FLRAILMAN

This should be the link:

Scanmaster Desktop

There is a side-to-side comparison with the big sister Diamond D-130J.
Well, it looks funny but it is not so bad after all.

 

[perseus68]

Has anyone here used the ScanMaster Desktop Discone Antenna? If so how did you like it?

I know it is rather pricey (almost 100.00 U.S.) but where I live we have restricted covenants.

I am also embarassed to admit that in almost 30 years of amateur radio (I have not been active since the late 90's) I have always been an appliance operator (no flames from any old timers are necessary, thank you. However, my cw is still pretty good ).

I have no interest in

1. Gathering the materials for the antenna
2. Figuring out the formula(s) to build the antenna
2. Building the antenna
3. Boring holes in my largest investment to route coax cable, etc.

I guess in this modern-age of folks "wanting something for nothing" I am looking for a good wide-band antenna to use in my office.

Thanks in advance

Yet another review from Rich Wells at Strong Signals dot com

Strong Signals - Sky Scan 1300 Desk Top Antenna Review

What do you think guys?

 

[perseus68]

This should be the link:

Scanmaster Desktop

There is a side-to-side comparison with the big sister Diamond D-130J.
Well, it looks funny but it is not so bad after all.

Sorry for my useless message guys. I just realized that the original link was ok

 

[Marvin_178]

For multiple bands, I personally would prefer a clip and connector on a cable, with a decent dual band hand-held antenna, or maybe a couple different antennas. The key to indoors is really placement and being able to put it anywhere you want. I'm sure everybody has experienced the deal where you move the radio 10" and the signal goes from nothing to everything.

This is very true. Iam a Ham I moved to a apt. no outside ant. I missed talking on 222.00 repeater here 6 miles away. My RX on it was like 2DB my ant. was on top of my desk made of 12 gaug wire. I allways thought it was the Modual in the radio went bad was going to send it all the way to Calfornia to get it fixed but helf off it was a good thing cause I was cleaning the top of my desk 1 day bumped it just about a 1/4 inch. was all worried went over to test it by gally I had a 9DB from that day on. But now I have a homemade vert. on a tripodI bought off Ebay in the bedroom on the other side of the apt. its 3ft high2 ft off the ground faceing other side of the town the repeater is in it now RX full scle same going out they say. Its funny it was the same with my 2 meters never found a good spot in the radio room but way across the other side of the apt I now hit the repeater 69 miles away full quiting into it to RX 5DB on the scale It was so funny how just getting a home made ant. both from the same guy put them inside made for outside though can make a differnce. Allso I have logged 4 contacts on 6 meter sideband useing a old Halo from the 50s 3 rings on the back of my desk this month early in the AM. Marvin KD0JCW