New to the scanner juckie business and living a new house. I was wanting to extend my cable on my antenna which is RG-174. i was hoping you guys could help me out. Is it hard to do and what tools will it take? Please describe in details because I have never done this before. Thanks
splicing RG-174 cable
- Thread starter firechuck911
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firechuck911 said:
Find an antenna that doesn't use RG-174. Very lossy stuff; much more than 10 feet and you're going to be losing signal in the cable; the longer the cable, the more signal vanishes in it.
If you absolutely must extend it (and assuming it has a BNC connector on the end), use a BNC extension cable, which I believe is available at Radio Shack.
Tom WA8PYR
antenna and cable
what are the best cable and antenna out there that is reasonable in price and size
what are the best cable and antenna out there that is reasonable in price and size
Al42
Member
Base antenna? Portable antenna? Maximum frequency band you're going to be using the antenna for? Total length of the cable?
The type of cable you should use depends on what you're using it for. It's like asking what the best vehicle is, without telling us if you're going to be riding on the sidewalk, the freeways or hauling timber in the forest. An answer at this point would be meaningless.
The type of cable you should use depends on what you're using it for. It's like asking what the best vehicle is, without telling us if you're going to be riding on the sidewalk, the freeways or hauling timber in the forest. An answer at this point would be meaningless.
SIMON11
Member
If you look here you will see that this cable is very lossy.
http://www.tdc.co.uk/cable_conn/index.htm#cables
If you only want to buy one antenna to cover all bands then a lot of users rave about the scantenna.
http://www.grove-ent.com/ANT7.html
Or a discone
A popular coax up to 30ft run is RG58/AU for less loss see this chart.
http://www.radiobooks.com/products/techinfo/coaxloss.htm
http://www.tdc.co.uk/cable_conn/index.htm#cables
If you only want to buy one antenna to cover all bands then a lot of users rave about the scantenna.
http://www.grove-ent.com/ANT7.html
Or a discone
A popular coax up to 30ft run is RG58/AU for less loss see this chart.
http://www.radiobooks.com/products/techinfo/coaxloss.htm
base antennas
I want to recieve signals from 70 miles away(St. Louis FD). I need an about 50 to 75 feet of cable to run from my roof to the room I have the scanner in. The scanner is a BC890xlt. What do you recommend????
I want to recieve signals from 70 miles away(St. Louis FD). I need an about 50 to 75 feet of cable to run from my roof to the room I have the scanner in. The scanner is a BC890xlt. What do you recommend????
RISC777
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St Louis FD, are they trunked, 400MHz, 800MHz, conventional VHF, conventional UHF? If you look at the coax loss chart (link above) each range in the bandplan loses at different rates (VHF least, UHF, a bit more, 400MHz more, 800MHz most).
70 mile distance: you'll need any omni discone (multi-band) you put up to be pretty high up. You'd be better off with a yagi for that kind of distance (keeping in mind what's between you and the transmitter that will interfere with signal(s)).
Cable: the less loss you decide to go with typically entails more expense. You pay for what you get. (Or you get what you pay for if you go with a less expensive cable.)
Things to keep in mind.
The higher the better. The appropriate or correct antenna for what you want to monitor. The least lossy cable you can afford. The least amount of connectors (or/and adapters).
70 mile distance: you'll need any omni discone (multi-band) you put up to be pretty high up. You'd be better off with a yagi for that kind of distance (keeping in mind what's between you and the transmitter that will interfere with signal(s)).
Cable: the less loss you decide to go with typically entails more expense. You pay for what you get. (Or you get what you pay for if you go with a less expensive cable.)
Things to keep in mind.
The higher the better. The appropriate or correct antenna for what you want to monitor. The least lossy cable you can afford. The least amount of connectors (or/and adapters).
antenna
STLFD works on VHF but I listen to VHF UHF 800 and 900MHZ too. Where is the best place to buy cable and antennas?
STLFD works on VHF but I listen to VHF UHF 800 and 900MHZ too. Where is the best place to buy cable and antennas?
RISC777
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firehuck911? You will/can get so many answer and opinions on that question about best for cable and antenna(s)! 
With the range of bands you monitor combined with distance(s), myself I'd be considering an omni *way up* to be able to receive or multiple antennas for the various bands, sources (compass directions in relation to your location), and distances. This can get to be a pretty expensive hobby or interest or business sometimes.
The 70 miles you mentioned is one aspect. Knowing more detail on the other monitoring you are currently doing and want to be able to do is needed to be able to get any good feedback and responses. It's similar to walking in to buy a PC if you don't know a lot about them, you'll get asked a good many questions so that you get what you want/need and are a satisfied customer. I suggest giving more of a run-down on what you currently monitor (bands, distances, etc.) and what you want to monitor (bands, distances, etc.). Sorry, but you can get a lot of feedback that might not be of anyhelp whatsoever without more detail from you.
With the range of bands you monitor combined with distance(s), myself I'd be considering an omni *way up* to be able to receive or multiple antennas for the various bands, sources (compass directions in relation to your location), and distances. This can get to be a pretty expensive hobby or interest or business sometimes. The 70 miles you mentioned is one aspect. Knowing more detail on the other monitoring you are currently doing and want to be able to do is needed to be able to get any good feedback and responses. It's similar to walking in to buy a PC if you don't know a lot about them, you'll get asked a good many questions so that you get what you want/need and are a satisfied customer. I suggest giving more of a run-down on what you currently monitor (bands, distances, etc.) and what you want to monitor (bands, distances, etc.). Sorry, but you can get a lot of feedback that might not be of anyhelp whatsoever without more detail from you.
Info
Well I listen to 150-174, 450-500, 800-999, The distances range from 25ft(Chester PD is my neighbor) to 70 plus miles. The majority of them are on 150-174. Our local Ambulance service works on 900 and 450. I would like to place it in the attic and have the good low loss cable. I have alot of space to play with but I don't want to send a ton of money. I am an amatuer and plan on staying that way. Let me know what else you need to know and I will get back to you
Well I listen to 150-174, 450-500, 800-999, The distances range from 25ft(Chester PD is my neighbor) to 70 plus miles. The majority of them are on 150-174. Our local Ambulance service works on 900 and 450. I would like to place it in the attic and have the good low loss cable. I have alot of space to play with but I don't want to send a ton of money. I am an amatuer and plan on staying that way. Let me know what else you need to know and I will get back to you
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