| Author |
Message |
    
Rich_1833
Junior Member
Username: Rich_1833
Post Number: 12
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 10:45 am: | 
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Is it true you can use a TV antenna on a scanner. If so how good does this work and what will i be able to hear. (this is just something i heard about). |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 700
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 1:21 pm: |
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For VHF and UHF, if you connect a TV antenna fed with 75 ohms coax (either direct by design or through a balun) it will work well. Keep in mind, most 2-way is vertical polarization. You would have to flip your TV antenna to vertical to take full advantage of the gain. Also, it would be directional, so for general scanning, it may not be that great. For listening to specific stations, it is hard to beat for the dollar. |
Ca346
Advanced Member
Username: Ca346
Post Number: 776
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 1:35 pm: |
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Yes, you can, but I wouldn't use it if it is also connected to the TV. Also, if you have any close TV broadcast stations near you, it will cause some interference to your scanner.
Check out the SCANTENNA. It sells for about $50 and includes a 50ft cable. It's meant for a scanner . |
Allagator
Intermediate Member
Username: Allagator
Post Number: 285
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 1:50 pm: |
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Rich it can be done !! I was useing a TV antenna for years before i got a discone for my scanner !!
hope this helps !!!
Allagator |
Rich_1833
Junior Member
Username: Rich_1833
Post Number: 13
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 4:49 pm: |
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i was just seeing if it would be any good i lust happen to have one in my shed so that id ask. |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 124
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 3:05 am: |
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My 2 meter J-pole works quite well on my scanner. I live 30 miles south of Oklahoma City and I can get some of the police and fire stations in north Texas, and my Diamond CP22E 5/8 wave 2 meter ground plane, 25 feet in the air. Works wonders on the scanner as well as 2 meters.
Yankee |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 27
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 8:48 am: |
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Rich,
I use the same antenna for my scanner that feeds the TV and FM radio. The coax down goes to a splitter/amp which then goes to TV (TV1), the scanner (TV2) and the radio (FM). Works with no problems. |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 125
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 2:57 pm: |
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Building a 2 meter J-pole is about as cheap as it gets for a good scanner antenna. Someplace on the net I've seen the plans to make one. Takes a few lengths of 1/2 inch copper tubing, 1 tee,one elbow, two small hose clamps to hold the coax in place at the correct measurement. And two caps to go on top so no water gets in. Wouldn't be hard for me to take it down and measure the tubing if anyone wants to know.
Yankee |
Rich_1833
Junior Member
Username: Rich_1833
Post Number: 17
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 5:14 pm: |
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i would like to know if its not that big og a deal. will this work better than a scanner ant or worse. |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 126
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 23, 2004 - 11:52 pm: |
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Rich: If your asking about the J-pole. I've never owned a scanner antenna. although at different times I have used the 11 meter and 2 meter antennas with good results. For what little bit it costs to make a 2 meter J-pole it works great, of course the J-pole is now used just for the scanner. As I now have the 5/8 wave 2 meter ground plane in the air that has 6 DB gain. If you're talking about an 800 MHz. scanner then you would need a different antenna. I have used the J-pole for 30-50 MHz. low band VHF, FM broadcast band 88-108 MHz. and the aircraft band, plus 144-170 MHz. high band VHF. Although I no longer have a scanner with the AM aircraft band or the FM broadcast band.
Yankee |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 127
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 1:25 am: |
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Here is the address for the 2 meter J-pole which works very well on a vhf scanner.
http://www.packetradio.com/ant.htm#2mjpole has pictures, measurements, and list of materials. If you can sweat copper tubing you can make one.
Yankee |
Applejack
Intermediate Member
Username: Applejack
Post Number: 175
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 10:42 pm: |
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ditto what tech 237 said, exactly. aj |
