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Author Topic: Scanner Reception  (Read 7605 times)

Offline Fryy/Avocadoflight

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Scanner Reception
« on: December 28, 2005, 05:13:00 PM »
I own a Bearcat 235XLT and Im looking into buying a better antenna, but nothing too expensive. I was wondering if anyone can tell me if its even worth spending the money? Im hoping to pick up more communication from the airport which is a little less than 15miles from me. Right now I only pick up the planes and not the ATC.
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Offline dave

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Scanner Reception
« Reply #1 on: December 28, 2005, 05:37:35 PM »
If you can't afford a commercial antenna, build a twin-lead coaxial j-pole or a copper j-pole, or a groundplane antenna.

Putting an outide antenna up is the betst investment you can make toward getting clean reception.  Nothing else can match it or come close.  Most receivers are basically the same or very close in terms of sensitivity.

Dave
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Offline stealth71

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Scanner Reception
« Reply #2 on: December 28, 2005, 05:45:54 PM »
I built a J-Pole for MSO and I think it works very well. Just for the heck of it, I replaced it one day with a retail scanner antenna and in the end I thought my home built antenna's reception sounded much better.
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Offline PIT

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Scanner Reception
« Reply #3 on: December 28, 2005, 05:47:32 PM »
i bought an antenna, didnt do much of anything. now im thinking of building my own. their is directions on the internet. im sure dave knowd some good sites with directions???
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Offline dave

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Scanner Reception
« Reply #4 on: December 28, 2005, 05:49:15 PM »
Quote from: stealth71
I built a J-Pole for MSO and I think it works very well. Just for the heck of it, I replaced it one day with a retail scanner antenna and in the end I thought my home built antenna's reception sounded much better.


This will usually be the case with wideband antennas vs. narrowband antennas.  There are other variables, but in general you are better off with a resonant antenna than you will be with a broadband antenna (e..g, discone).  A discone is good if you need to cover a wide frequency band.  For example, if you wanted to cover VHF (civilian air) and UHF (mil-air) with one antenna, the discone is a good choice.

More important than anything, though, is getting the antenna as high and as clear of obstacles as possible.

Dave
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BMT

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Scanner Reception
« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2005, 07:28:38 AM »
I have 3 antenna's at 20' and can recieve Miami Ctr not a RCAG with no problem. North(Alma,Ga.) and West(Eglin AFB) I can recieve about 250 miles.

BMT
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Offline dave

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Scanner Reception
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2005, 08:07:37 AM »
Quote from: BMT
I have 3 antenna's at 20' and can recieve Miami Ctr not a RCAG with no problem. North(Alma,Ga.) and West(Eglin AFB) I can recieve about 250 miles.

BMT


You're referring to aircraft, though, right?  You're not receiving ground stations 250 miles away with an antenna at 20'.

Dave
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BMT

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Scanner Reception
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2005, 08:15:56 AM »
Yep aircraft only!!

BMT
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Offline MIAMIATC

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Scanner Reception
« Reply #8 on: December 29, 2005, 09:41:41 PM »
That is some hell of reception you have there at 20m feet. Low terrain helps alot also
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