Scanner antenna

[mmckenna]

Now the other big question is, should you wire tie your coax to the mast? If not, what is the best way to run your coax for less line interference?

Yes, but make sure you use Ty-Wraps that are specifically marked as UV stable. The non-UV stable versions will get brittle and break.
Other option is to get the stainless steel ty-wraps.

 

[Rawkee1]

Thanks, I’ve approved wire ties makes sense.I have a stand-off bracket coming so I’m definitely going through all the connections and seal them as well.

 

[Ubbe]

I have a stand-off bracket coming

Route the coax up over the standoff so it doesn't pull on the connector and then circle around the mast. That way it doesn't matter if some tie wraps should brittle and fall off after a couple of years. To water proof connections use special self fusing rubber tape that you stretch to start the fusing process and then cover that with some other tape like electrical tape as protection against birds.

/Ubbe

 

[Rawkee1]

Good advice UBBe, I'll have to find that self fusing tape. If I were to combine two antennas, I believe I should install the diplexer inside to avoid wet weather penetration. Would you agree?

 

[Ubbe]

Would you agree?

If it doesn't fit inside the base tube of one of the antennas, then get a plastic box that are used for DisEq switches for sat dishes or antenna amplifiers and mount on the mast.

/Ubbe

 

[Rawkee1]

What would be a good quality diplexer to buy for a VHF antenna, and a UHF 400 MHz band. What company does anyone recommend for this type of equipment?

 

[Ubbe]

What would be a good quality diplexer to buy for a VHF antenna, and a UHF 400 MHz band.

They are pretty much equal in performance, having less than 1dB loss in passband and at least 30dB rejection. You could check Ebay for a surplus one. It's a very simple design with only a few components you could probably solder together yourself inside an old sat/tv combiner or similar $5 sat dish module. Diplexer 2m, 70cm 50W for HAM transceiver. | eBay 0-180MHz 0,2dB loss 390-1000MHz 0,3dB loss and 60dB isolation.

Most diplexers for HAM radio will work. Amazon.com : diplexer vhf uhf

/Ubbe

 

[Rawkee1]

The best receiving antenna for 160 mhz. Anyone have thoughts on the Laird FG1523. Any thoughts out there?

 

[Ubbe]

The Laird are a 3dB gain antenna. I've checked most of the antennas for VHF and that Diamond F23 one are the best at an acceptable cost. If you have all signals coming from one direction then a yagi will have more gain and probably at double the cost, but still at a reasonable level.

There are commercial 4-stack vertical dipoles with a 6dB gain but then you are up in the $1,000 range.

You also have to secure that your receivers can take high signal levels and not overload. If not, then you get worse reception the more gain you have in your antenna and you will get best reception using a low gain antenna, if you don't evaluate your RF environment and get filters or better receivers.

/Ubbe

 

[ind224]

My StationMaster alledges gain and for me work quite well barely 30' up. I'm only using it for VHF receive but it also at times gets military UHF my DPD yagi does not. 2nd harmonic 150-170?

 

[Rawkee1]

I have the BCD 996P2. It works pretty good but not the best scan rate. My Radio shack Pro 2067 scans quicker. I don't know if my recievers can take high levels. Trial and error is a costly route to take.

 

[Rawkee1]

What would be a some better base scanners on the market now that would out preform the bcd996P2 with everything else being equal?

 

[sonm10]

What would be a some better base scanners on the market now that would out preform the bcd996P2 with everything else being equal?

If simulcast is not an issue, the 996 performs well. I have no issues with the scan rate.

 

[Ubbe]

I have the BCD 996P2. It works pretty good but not the best scan rate. My Radio shack Pro 2067 scans quicker.

Test by disconnecting the antenna coax. If the 992p2 scans quicker then you might have some RF problem that creates intermodulation carriers all over the band. If you scan digital systems that has control channels it will expected to scan slower as it stops on each data signal and evaluate it before continuing scan. But that will be obvious when looking at the display as Uniden scanners are updating the display in real time.

/Ubbe

 

[Rawkee1]

Can you put an omnidirectional antenna along with a yagi using a diplexer?

 

[Rawkee1]

Can I add a Yagi to a omnidirectional antenna via diplexer? I also would like to ask why some yagis are pointed straight up. Does that make it omnidirectional?

 

[mmckenna]

Can I add a Yagi to a omnidirectional antenna via diplexer?

A diplexer is for combining antennas from different bands. Yes, you can do that, if that is what you are looking for.

If you are looking to combine a vertical on a specific band, and a Yagi on the same band, then it gets complicated.

I also would like to ask why some yagis are pointed straight up. Does that make it omnidirectional?

No, it doesn't make them omnidirectional.
They are either trying to shoot their signal straight up, or the mount is broken.

 

[Rawkee1]

I’m glad I asked. I was going to try that of the same vhf band. Reason being, most of my receiving is omnidirectional, however I wanted to bullet a certain area for one particular listening in the distance. Some days it comes in good and some days it doesn’t or it’s very weak. I wish there was a way to rent an antenna on a tower like businesses do.

 

[mmckenna]

I wish there was a way to rent an antenna on a tower like businesses do.

You can, it's just really expensive. The tower owner will charge you the same wether it's transmitting or just receiving.

I have an AOR AR2300 with the ARL2300 network interface. I installed it at one of my high sites with some good antennas. I can listen remotely from anywhere I have a network connection. Very useful for troubleshooting radio issues without having to be on site.

 

[Rawkee1]

As I learn about all this new technology, I’m amazed at what can be done in scanner listening. I used to be a Radio Shack manager way back when and I was around when PLL was introduced. I bought so many crystals for my scanners. Times have moved forward by leaps and bounds. I don’t have a very sophisticated system but all I have is antennas on my roof up pretty high with good coax. I want one of my antennas to be top notch for vhf. I don’t mind spending the money. I have a couple BCD 996P2’s along with the 436 & 325 handhelds. I.m certainly learning it’s a whole new ballgame out there. Nothing seems simple!