SDS100 antenna

[Don57]

I’ve had the SDS100 for about 8 months now and I’ve tried all my antennas including the RH77CA , a telescoping , and a couple of others to try to improve reception for 151-158 mhz. I purchased a W100RX but returned it because I didn’t see any improvement. Does anyone know what would be a better choice. I live in a first floor apartment of a 2 story house so I cannot mount anything outside anywhere. Thanks in advance for the assistance.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Don't own one but this antenna optimized for 150-162MHz has positive reviews. You should have seen noticeable improvement with the W100RX over stock antenna but then again I have no idea what your RF environment looks like nor how far the target station(s) is (are) you're trying to pick up. Moving outdoors from your first floor apartment yielded no improvement with the antennas you tested?

 

[Don57]

Don't own one but this antenna optimized for 150-162MHz has positive reviews. You should have seen noticeable improvement with the W100RX over stock antenna but then again I have no idea what your RF environment looks like nor how far the target station(s) is (are) you're trying to pick up. Moving outdoors from your first floor apartment yielded no improvement with the antennas you tested?

I will look into it thanks. I didn’t try outdoors since 95% of my listening is indoors. I’m on Long Island so it’s a very congested area of 2 story houses. The things I’m monitoring are within a 10-15 mile max radius.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

didn’t try outdoors since 95% of my listening is indoors.

OK but keep in mind that building materials & RF generated from electrical devices within the structure can attenuate signals coming in

 

[EAFrizzle]

If you get better reception outdoors with any of your antennas, you might consider a portable-type setup that you can put out for a night of scanning, then take down when done.

 

[Don57]

If you get better reception outdoors with any of your antennas, you might consider a portable-type setup that you can put out for a night of scanning, then take down when done.

I would love to put something outside but the landlord who also lives on the property will not allow it.

 

[EAFrizzle]

That's why I suggested something completely temporary and easily removable. Something like a camera tripod sitting outside a window, or some sort of clamp to go on an awning or branch. I get them not wanting anything attached permanent/semi-permanently, this is just something quick to setup and remove with no drilling, nailing, etc. If your landlord has some sort of problem with that, he's being a bit unreasonable.

 

[G7RUX]

A full-wavelength loop arranged as a square and attached to a window with rubber suckers works very well in this situation.

Or you could use copper tape or screening mesh strips to do the same.

 

[EAFrizzle]

At the very least you could get a good mobile antenna and a mag-mount, and set it on a steel pizza pan near a window.

 

[Don57]

That's why I suggested something completely temporary and easily removable. Something like a camera tripod sitting outside a window, or some sort of clamp to go on an awning or branch. I get them not wanting anything attached permanent/semi-permanently, this is just something quick to setup and remove with no drilling, nailing, etc. If your landlord has some sort of problem with that, he's being a bit unreasonable.

Even temporary is not allowed. She is very unreasonable but it is her property so I can’t do much about it. I think i have an old mag mount car antenna in storage. I’ll go dig it out and try that on the inside of the window.

 

[EAFrizzle]

Yeah, if she won't even let you do that, something in the windowsill is all you can do.