Sometimes you get FM broadcast overload off a TV antenna, but for the most part, they work fairly well. I would not call it "good."Hello all, I have a Pro-2096 can I use a tv antenna for it? I have several brand new tv antennas still in their box and their the Radio Shack large array types. Will one of these work good for my scanner?
Calvin
Since Ive learned from the smart guys here that TV waves run horizontally, and radio waves run vertically-maybe you should turn that TV antenna sideways then mount it in the most desired direction, it is, after all, directional
For 800/900mhz its not that good.
So true, Eric but I bet it'll still give him decent reception in the direction it's pointed especially in the bands it was designed for.but the elements are tuned for the TV frequencies not the scanner freqs so it would work properly. directional antennas only work well for the designed freqs. Of course if you have lots of experience you can shorten or lengthen the elements to match the scanner bands but that's a difficult task. I've modified a TV antenna but it was a chore. plus if you have the money just get the Grove Scanner Beam, it looks like a tv antenna but for the scanner bands.
Eric Burris
Thats what I said above^^ IMO it should perform sweetly! I hope the OP tries it then inform usOk, for you antenna gurus, how about turning it 90 degrees by drilling new holes and mounting it as a vertical? With the elements being so close to a (metal) mast, would there be issues?
Just wondering.
My personal experience is that almost ANYTHING above the roofline will work better than a duck antenna on a portable. Even a piece hanger wire would work better. The overall difference between my PSR-600 with a cheapo 20-176 and my PSR-500 with ANY duck antenna is like night and day, and when I am near my base scanner the portable stays off. I would say ANY rooftop antenna will generally be better overall, than using the stock antenna. If all you can get is a tv antenna, use it. My thoughts.
Why wouldn't it? Quite a few of the soon to be extinct higher TV channels are in the low 800 MHz range. It is likely that most of the TV antenna designs probably date back to when TV extended into the mid 800 MHz range.
I say this because I used the TV antenna on the roof of my parent's house for my scanner and it pulled in the neighboring county's trunk system quite well.
Since Ive learned from the smart guys here that TV waves run horizontally, and radio waves run vertically-maybe you should turn that TV antenna sideways then mount it in the most desired direction, it is, after all, directional
I doubt many UHF or VHF/UHF antennas have been redesigned since UHF TV went up to channel 83 at 960 MHz.Channels 69 is on the edge of 800mhz, Most TV antennas are built for VHF and UHF reception. Granted some may work up higher, I never said they wouldnt just wouldnt work well. Any piece of metal will receive a signal, how well is the issue.
For this application the loss from an impedance mismatch will be nearly undetectable.The antenna may be designed for frequencies close to what you monitor but this isn't the only thing you should consider.
The antenna and coax are made for 75 ohms. Scanners and radio gear expect 50 ohm. For transmitting this is a big deal. An impedance mismatch will result in reflected power to your transmitter and destroy the transmitter. I can only wager it has importance with receiving as well. Improper impedance will result in an attenuated signal.
This will be impossible to correct without a balun transformer which you may wish to invest in.
I doubt many UHF or VHF/UHF antennas have been redesigned since UHF TV went up to channel 83 at 960 MHz.
I doubt many UHF or VHF/UHF antennas have been redesigned since UHF TV went up to channel 83 at 960 MHz.
The antenna may be designed for frequencies close to what you monitor but this isn't the only thing you should consider.
The antenna and coax are made for 75 ohms. Scanners and radio gear expect 50 ohm. For transmitting this is a big deal. An impedance mismatch will result in reflected power to your transmitter and destroy the transmitter. I can only wager it has importance with receiving as well. Improper impedance will result in an attenuated signal.
This will be impossible to correct without a balun transformer which you may wish to invest in.