SDS100 Antenna Recommendations

[Nogard]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good antenna for the SDS100 to be used in this area? https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=1962

Thanks.

 

[Nogard]

Also, one more question - would it be possible to hook up the SDS100 to an outdoor antenna when I'm at home and use something like ProScan to stream to my laptop so I can get increased coverage via the outdoor antenna?

I know the SDS200 is more ideal for this scenario but I would prefer the SDS100 for portability to take when going out of town...

Thanks again.

 

[mule1075]

Also, one more question - would it be possible to hook up the SDS100 to an outdoor antenna when I'm at home and use something like ProScan to stream to my laptop so I can get increased coverage via the outdoor antenna?

I know the SDS200 is more ideal for this scenario but I would prefer the SDS100 for portability to take when going out of town...

Thanks again.

Yes and Yes.

 

[Volfirefighter]

Looks like your county uses a mix of VHF and UHF conventional frequencies along with a statewide P25, so the stock antenna is gonna be your best bet while mobile. As for an outdoor antenna, get one that has wide coverage from 150 to 800. Be sure to get a small pigtail to convert your incoming coax to the sma connector on the SDS100. A pigtail will reduce stress on the scanner's sma connector.

 

[Nogard]

Thanks for the info. I guess my next step is to research outdoor antennas that has the wide coverage....

Then I have to decide cable type and where/how the antenna will be mounted.

Sounds like this could take awhile

 

[cmdrwill]

Sounds like this could take awhile

You have got that correct.

 

[KR7CQ]

Thanks for the info. I guess my next step is to research outdoor antennas that has the wide coverage....

Then I have to decide cable type and where/how the antenna will be mounted.

Sounds like this could take awhile

Suggestion: Diamond discone is solid and has wide coverage, LMR-400UF from antenna down to area of scanner, then LMR-240UF for the pigtail. I've used this basic setup for years with good results and minimal signal loss at a somewhat reasonable price.

Also just my advice, but take the $30 you might have spent on an aftermarket duck antenna and put it towards a real outdoor antenna, mounting hardware, and coax. Some will say that this or that duck antenna makes a difference in their situations and I'm not doubting them, but I've never found that they are worth buying for the most part and I've done extensive comparison testing over many years. The SDS100 duck antenna works fine as duck antennas go.

 

[TailGator911]

Good advice on the Diamond discone. When you compare you will find a Diamond 3000 and the NJ130. The 130 is the best for monitoring, as the 3000 is tuned for the stratosphere and transmitting etc etc, really no need for this unless you are into satellites. The 130 is a great, durable antenna that I have used for years with great results. The LMR-400UF is about the best you can get, good advice there. If your target is P25 systems you might want to upgrade your ducky to a Remtronix 800mhz antenna at some point. Good luck with it and have fun!

JD
kf4anc

 

[Nogard]

Good advice on the Diamond discone. When you compare you will find a Diamond 3000 and the NJ130. The 130 is the best for monitoring, as the 3000 is tuned for the stratosphere and transmitting etc etc, really no need for this unless you are into satellites. The 130 is a great, durable antenna that I have used for years with great results. The LMR-400UF is about the best you can get, good advice there. If your target is P25 systems you might want to upgrade your ducky to a Remtronix 800mhz antenna at some point. Good luck with it and have fun!

JD
kf4anc

Thanks for all the good advice. I'm actually having a difficult time finding a company selling the NJ130 - any suggestions?

Also any advice on how to mount one? I'm assuming on the roof would give the best results, just not sure about how the wife will like that idea.

 

[TailGator911]

You can contact Diamond direct to see if there are any vendors near you and, if not, ask where they would recommend buying it online.

I went and bought five 5-foot connecting mast poles from Ace hardware, 2 side-of-the-house eave mounting brackets, and I dug the first pole down to almost 3-feet deep for a solid base. With the 2 mounting brackets about 5-feet apart, it put my Diamond about 6-feet over my roof and my system withstood 9 hurricanes in Florida and I don't know how many severe windstorms both down there and here in Ohio (with the same system), and that Diamond discone stood tall every storm. Only scanner antenna I will ever own. No, I am in no way affiliated with the Diamond antenna company But, really, you can't go wrong with that antenna.

JD
kf4anc

 

[Nogard]

Is there a recommended max cable run if using LMR-400 cable?

 

[tampatracker]

Is there a recommended max cable run if using LMR-400 cable?

I have a run of 100 feet running out of the house to my Diamond Discone (Ditto all the above comments) and get great results. At one time I have used a 150 foot length with very little apparent signal loss.

 

[Nogard]

Assuming I can get by with 50 feet (will have to measure to make sure) would this be a good option for the cabling?
https://www.amazon.com/MPD-Digital-LMR-400-Ultra-Connector/dp/B0013REMTE

If so I guess I need to find a short run of LMR-240UF with an N female to an N male?

 

[Volfirefighter]

You would need an N female to SMA male as your pigtail.

Sent from my SM-J327V using Tapatalk

 

[Nogard]

Thanks - are there any online sellers you'd recommend for pre-made cables? I can order the LMR-400UF from the Amazon link but can't seem to find around 10 feet of the LMR-240UF N female to SMA male...

You would need an N female to SMA male as your pigtail.

Sent from my SM-J327V using Tapatalk

 

[cmdrwill]

Google Express

225mm/9inch N-Type Male Plug to SMA Female Jack Adapter Pigtail Cable M7O6 190268262002 | eBay

B+ to Ground, Over.

 

[GaRebel]

Thanks - are there any online sellers you'd recommend for pre-made cables? I can order the LMR-400UF from the Amazon link but can't seem to find around 10 feet of the LMR-240UF N female to SMA male...

USA Coax - Custom RF coaxial cables by MPD Digital

 

[Nogard]

Thanks for the link - here's what I found for the 400UF:

LMR400UF Ultra Flex 50 Ohm Compatible Coax 75 Ft w/N-type CB/Ham Radio US Made | eBay

For the 240UF it's 4ft LMR-240UF with female N and male SMA. from USA Coax - Custom RF coaxial cables by MPD Digital. I went with 4 feet to run from where the scanner sits on a desk down to the floor.

The antenna is here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AR09A6I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AJVLD9QL76QMK&psc=1

Now all I need is a mast or something to mount it on the roof. I don't have anything to mount to to currently - any suggestions on what I could use? I know one option is using mast poles going up the side of the house as TailGator911 suggested - just curious what others have used to actually mount on the roof when no chimney or other structure is available...

Thanks.

 

[maus92]

Thanks for all the good advice. I'm actually having a difficult time finding a company selling the NJ130 - any suggestions?

Also any advice on how to mount one? I'm assuming on the roof would give the best results, just not sure about how the wife will like that idea.

D130NJ is the Diamond model number.

Diamond® Antenna ~ D130NJ Super Discone Antenna

There is a link button on the page to display a number of online retailers.

 

[Nogard]

Okay, another day another question - wouldn't grounding the coax (LMR-400) require two separate runs of the cable (using a grounding block)?