Scantenna

[JamesDee]

I just picked up a Scantenna for my RS 2096 scanner, and I am kind of dissappointed in the reception.
I find that on the 800mhz band, my scanners supplied indoor antenna does almost just as well as the outside one, which is mounted roughly about 4 feet above the peak of my roof.
I have a 75 foot run of RG 8 cable leading down to the scanner.
On the lower frequencies, the outside antenna does seem to have much better reception than the indoor one, but its really the 800 mhz that I am more concerned with.
Any ideas what may be the problem,or what I can check for ?

 

[pro92b]

The Scantenna isn't the best at 800 MHz. Cable is on the long side - can you route it so the run is shorter? Is that RG8 or RG58 that you are using? What brand and model number is the cable?

 

[JamesDee]

Its RG8, but Belden 9913 is also marked on the side of it. I would have ran RG6, but figured there would be alot less loss using RG-8.
I can probably cut off about 15 feet of it, as that is what there is extra coiled up downstairs.

 

[LarrySC]

So you bught a used Scantenna. It comes with RG-6 and a 4:1 300/75 ohm balun. Anything else is a mismatch. It is short in the 800 dept. Best idea is to use it for something else and look for a better 800.

 

[pro92b]

9913 is good cable but it is big. Do you use adapters to connect to scanner and antenna? Hopefully you don't have PL-259 connectors on the cable. Cutting 15 feet will help a little but it's not a night and day difference.

 

[JamesDee]

I bought a new scantenna, and didnt use the supplied cable as RG-6 has a high loss at 75 feet. So I bought RG-8, and had the antenna end supplied with a BNC connector, which I mated with a Male F connector to mate with the balun transformer on the antenna, and had a BNC connector installed on the scanner end.

 

[pro92b]

Sounds like your connections are ok and maybe that's just all the scantenna can do for you on 800 MHz. Since you have 15 feet of extra cable, you might try raising the antenna 10 or 12 feet to see if it helps.

 

[JamesDee]

The antenna is very high now, as it well clears the top of the house, and there are no obstructions in the way.
What type of antennas are recommended for the 800 mhz bands.
I am fairly new at digital scanners (2 weeks new), so this is all a learning experience for me right now.

 

[RoninJoliet]

I use the same 9913 cable but with the Channel Master 5094A (not made anymore) but looks like the Scantenna, im on a tower 15' above a tri-level house so im 35' total. I can hear Motorola and Edacs trunking a little over 25 miles away very well about 95% .I use the 2096 and Uniden 898T....

 

[RoninJoliet]

Forgot to mention that my 9913 coax run is 75' total and use PL259 connectors reduced to BNC.....Ron in Joliet

 

[Al42]

Its RG8, but Belden 9913 is also marked on the side of it.

9913 or "9913 style", or something like that?

I would have ran RG6, but figured there would be alot less loss using RG-8.
I can probably cut off about 15 feet of it, as that is what there is extra coiled up downstairs.

75 feet of RG8 at 850 MHz is about 5db loss - I doubt that the antenna is giving you even 5db gain over the rubber ducky mounted on the scanner, which it would have to in order to give you the same reception.

 

[JamesDee]

If this is the case, what are your recommendations for a better antenna for the 800mhz range. And its 9913 belden cable, not Belden style.

 

[RoninJoliet]

I was always told for every 10' you go up you increase the gain of most antennas, 800 is a rough band and depending on your terain of the land the next best thing is a small six element beam with cross radials of 7" which is about 850mgz. This is why you see most ham radio people with towers 50-70' high, its all about hight.....