New to this as a hobby, What would be a good outdoor antenna setup for my situation? I have a new Uniden SDS100 that I use mostly inside now, may be getting a SDS200 desk model a bit later also. I live in lower rather mountainous area and have one story, no attic with all metal roof. What would work the best for all around scanning? Thanks in advance for your help.
Scanner Accessories Question
- Thread starter etuck
- Start date
tvengr
Well Known Member
What is your city, county, and state and which systems and agencies would you like to monitor?
You should realize that it's not just an antenna. It's the coaxial downlead and other components between the antenna and radio. You'll want coax with "low loss" for the highest frequency you'll be receiving. A good installation will include a lightning arrestor and good grounding. If you plan to feed into more than one receiver, some sort of splitter or coupler is required.
I am using a discone. I like it. All discones are not created equal. I got mine from Radio Shack because I could just drive up the street and get it. It's an omni-directional antenna that covers ~25MHz to ~1GHz. I do monitor CHP as low as 39 MHz and some systems in the 900MHz range. You may not need all that. Another antenna is the Scantenna. Which to buy is often like Coke vs Pepsi or Dodge vs Ford.
I am using a discone. I like it. All discones are not created equal. I got mine from Radio Shack because I could just drive up the street and get it. It's an omni-directional antenna that covers ~25MHz to ~1GHz. I do monitor CHP as low as 39 MHz and some systems in the 900MHz range. You may not need all that. Another antenna is the Scantenna. Which to buy is often like Coke vs Pepsi or Dodge vs Ford.
Last edited:
Cherokee County NC, public safety mainly. Amature radio would be nice but haven't picked on anything yet. Thanks
tvengr
Well Known Member
What is your city or town? There are 3 sites in Cherokee County for the VIPER statewide trunked system. Your location is needed to determine the best site or sites.
The Cherokee County Sheriff and Valleytown Fire have DMR frequencies. Do you have the DMR upgrade for your scanner?
| 2 (2) | 052 (34) | Joanna Bald | Cherokee, NC | 851.825 | 852.075 | 852.825 | 853.175 | 853.325c | 853.7625c | 856.6375 |
| 2 (2) | 067 (43) | Murphy | Cherokee, NC | 851.0875 | 851.3375 | 851.900 | 852.200c | 853.8375c | ||
| 2 (2) | 081 (51) | Hot House | Cherokee, NC | 771.16875 | 771.50625 | 772.10625 | 772.48125 | 772.75625 | 773.13125c | 773.89375c |
The Cherokee County Sheriff and Valleytown Fire have DMR frequencies. Do you have the DMR upgrade for your scanner?
| 159.105 | WQAG825 | RM | CC 1 TG 1 SL 2 | ChkCo SD Tac DMR | Tactical | DMR | Law Tac |
WX9RLT
Top Dawg
Welcome to the hobby!
You can use the metal roof to your advantage.
Run coax up and outside and stick a magmount antenna
Right in the middle of the metal roof.
You can thank me later on...
I would recommend LMR400 for your coax.
It has low loss.
You can use the metal roof to your advantage.
Run coax up and outside and stick a magmount antenna
Right in the middle of the metal roof.
You can thank me later on...
I would recommend LMR400 for your coax.
It has low loss.
Could you recommend a certain brand/model # and supplier maybe? Thanks
I'm actually in Murphy NC. 28906, although a very small area as all of the surrounding towns. Also, could you advise more on the DMR Upgrade and should I look into getting it, I have no clue. I just purchased the radio thus far and that's it. Thanks
LMR400 on a mag mount? Interesting.
tvengr
Well Known Member
There are also additional DMR trunked systems in Cherokee County:
| Duke Energy - Western NC | DMR Motorola Capacity Plus Multi Site (TRBO) | Tuckasegee |
| Harrahs Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel | DMR Motorola Capacity Plus Single Site (TRBO) | Murphy |
| NC PRN Amateur Radio Network | DMR Conventional Networked | Various |
Thank you!
tvengr
Well Known Member
I am working on a favorites list for you which will include the DMR conventional frequencies and amateur repeaters. I don't see any talkgroups listed yet on 2 of the DMR trunked systems. I am going to need to find the best site for the Amateur DMR trunked system. I don't see any listed in Cherokee County.
Thanks!
tvengr
Well Known Member
Here is your Cherokee County favorites list. Save the attached zipped file to your computer and extract. Go to the File tab in Sentinel and click on Import from hpe file (Favorites List). Click on New Favorites List and name it Cherokee Co NC Click on OK. In the Downloads folder, open the extracted file. It will appear as a favorites list in Sentinel. Go to the Edit tab and click on Edit Profile. Click on the Scan Selection tab. Remove the check mark from Monitor Full Database. Turn on Download and Monitor for the new favorites list. Turn off Download and Monitor for any other favorites lists. Close the Profile Editor. Go to the File tab and click on Save. Turn on your scanner. Plug the programming cable into your computer. When you plug the cable into the scanner, you will get a message to press E to enter USB Mass Storage. Press E on the scanner keypad. Go to the Scanner tab in Sentinel and click on Write to Scanner. Check the box to Erase Favorites Lists on Scanner. That will give you a clean start. Click on OK. Once the transfer is completed, eject the scanner and unplug the cable. I will give you instructions a little later about using quick keys. Quick keys as follows:
| Cherokee Co NC | ||
| SYSTEM QUICK KEY: | ||
| *. Cherokee Co Trunk | ||
| DEPT/SITE QUICK KEYS: | ||
| 0. Statewide Events | ||
| 1. Statewide Interop | ||
| 2. NC Emergency Management | ||
| 3. NC Dept Prep & Readiness | ||
| 4. NC National Guard | ||
| 5. NC Helo & Aqua Rescue | ||
| 6. NC Civil Air Patrol | ||
| 7. NC Forest Service | ||
| 8. NC State Highway Patrol | ||
| 9. Cherokee County | ||
| *. Cherokee Co Blank | ||
| *. VIPER Murphy (Site) | ||
| 10. VIPER Hot House (Site) | ||
| 11. VIPER JoannaBald (Site) | ||
| SYSTEM QUICK KEY: | ||
| 0. Cherokee Co Conv | ||
| DEPT QUICK KEYS: | ||
| 0. Cherokee Co Services | ||
| 1. Cherokee Co Fire/EMS | ||
| 2. Cherokee Co Local Fire | ||
| 3. Cherokee Co EMS/Hosp | ||
| 4. Cherokee Co Sheriff | ||
| 5. Cherokee Co Local PD | ||
| *. Cherokee Co Blank | ||
| SYSTEM QUICK KEYS: | ||
| 1. Cherokee Co Sheriff DMR | ||
| 2. Valleytown Fire DMR | ||
| Note: (* = None) |
I have the list in the radio now, what's next? Thanks
tvengr
Well Known Member
Squelch should be set to 2. The favorites list should be scanning. The Hot House and JoannaBald sites are some distance from you. Let's try turning them off for now. Make sure you are scanning the favorites list. When the Cherokee Co Trunk system appears on the scanner display, press the SYSTEM soft key. The system will reverse color and the scanner will hold on that system. Press the decimal point twice, followed by 10, followed by E to turn off the VIPER Hot House site. Press the decimal point twice followed by 11 followed by E to turn off the VIPER JoannaBald site. The Murphy site will remain scanning. Press the SYSTEM soft key again to return to scanning all of the systems. That method can be used to toggle all of the departments and sites on and off on the Cherokee Co Trunk system. My previous post will show all of the quick keys. You can toggle the departments with the conventional frequencies on and off by pressing SYSTEM when Cherokee Co Conv system appears on the scanner display by using the same method.
OK, now at this point should I keep the squelch setting at 2?
Not getting much activity, so ok to just leave other sites on for now?
tvengr
Well Known Member
Yes, keep squelch at 2. The Hot House site is a little closer to you. Try turning on that one. There may not be that much activity on the system.
Just wanted to let all know I appreciate the help so far, and in addition, I just had to return the new SDS100 back due to charging and or battery issues. I would get battery low alerts after only being on for an hour or less. Then when I plugged in charger, it would then take hours before green light would appear. I spoke with Uniden tech support and they agreed something was amiss and should be returned for diagnostic/repair. Only had for approx. 2 weeks. I think Ill get the sds200 base/mobile model and not have to deal a battery. Thanks again!
tvengr
Well Known Member
If you purchased the DMR upgrade for the SDS100, make sure you leave a note taped to the scanner. If you return the SDS100 and replace it with a SDS200, make sure Uniden is aware that the SDS100 had the DMR upgrade so they can make it right with the SDS200. Different scanners require different upgrade keys.
Similar threads
- Locked
