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Message |
    
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 380
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 - 9:32 am: | 
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A long time ago you had told me a Discone antenna would out perform other scanner antenna's. I then bought a radio shack discone antenna and check it out against my Antennacraft st2 antenna and the st2 had out perform the discone antenna. Now my question is did I buy to cheap of a antenna from Radio Shack and if so what discone antenna would do better than my Antennacraft st2? I live in the country side that is to far to pick up some of the trunking repeater's. I am out of range by about 5 miles. I can receive them on top of the mountain but if I put an antenna there I would lose to much signal on the coax at those frequencies. I have my antenna at 30 foot and that is as high as I can get it. I always take your advice and need your help and advice. Thank you for your help that you have given me in the past. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2304
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2014 - 4:18 am: |
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Hi CB.
A discone antenna is a wideband antenna, so it is a bit of a compromise. However, if you want to scan or transmit on VHF, UHF, 800, and everything in-between all with the same antenna, they're hard to beat.
The Antennacraft ST2 is an antenna that is built on the same platform as the old Winegard antennas using TV antenna materials. Not as tough as a discone, but they do perform very well, especially on lowband VHF.
You could consider the ST2 to be a "full size" antenna while the discone is a shortened antenna.
I'm not going to say the discone will receive better than an ST2, however, it will cover more frequencies and it will stand up to weather much better.
The choice is really yours.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 381
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2014 - 8:23 am: |
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Thank you 833.I had considered getting a mono band antenna to help a little more. I also considered getting a beam scanner antenna but then I would be having to turn it so much for the other repeater's in my area. I also considered getting a scanner pre amp but then if I did that the strong signal's would overload my scanner. I have thought a lot about this subject and the only thing I can think of that would possible help is a mono band antenna for the 450.000 freq. range. Do you think the mono band antenna would be the best way to go and if so is there an antenna you would recommend? Also what is the best scanner antenna you have ever found? |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2305
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2014 - 2:42 pm: |
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I don't even know where to start here...
Best mono band antenna for 450 MHz.? How about an antenna made precisely for 450 MHz. If you have extra spending money, get a Stationmaster. If not, get a DB-408. Lots of gain there.
It's been my experience that if I cannot hear a signal on the discone clearly, a mono band antenna will usually get it to come in clear. However, it also tends to open the world a bit more and suddenly, I am hearing signals on the mono band antenna weakly that I want to hear strong, and it never ends.
Best scanner antenna I have ever found? No such thing. Every installation and need is different. My day to day scanner antenna is a gain type 150/450 MHz. dual band base station antenna. I also have a VHF/UHF/800 antenna for mobile use.
When I want to scan the marine VHF band, a dual stacked 150 MHz. set of 10 element Yagis is the best. Just point them toward the coast and scan.
Sometimes, I like to scan the FRS channels for activity (especially entertaining on Christmas morning). In that case, I use a gain type fiberglass UHF base station antenna on the highest point of the tower (normally used for 2-way radio).
It's a bit like asking "What is the best CB antenna?" How can you "blanket" answer that? Just no such thing.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 384
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2014 - 8:27 pm: |
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I understand what you are saying 833. I have never seen some of these antenna model's but I will Google them and see what I can do. I was able to get my Scantenna st 2 about 10 foot higher and it did help me some what but, that is as high as I can get it. I guess I will have to add a second story to my house to get it higher L.O.L. Any way I am going to copy this information so I will not forget this advice. Thank you 833. Scanning is my second hobby. Thank you again 833 and as always I will wish the best and pray for you and your family. |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 385
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2014 - 7:51 pm: |
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That Stationmaster is very expensive from what I have found. |
