Scanning while driving

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 7:01 pm

Hey all, Iv got a small uniden 72XLT and it works great while im inside the house and im content with its range and power but concidering im starting to drive a lot and the scanner keeps skipping channels and picking up different frequencies as i move around the places. So i was wondering if it would be worth while installing an antenna on my car. Would it really make a difference and how would i know which one to get

Post by **Always RX** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:34 pm

Having an external mounted antenna gives far greater performance and its really worth doing if you use the scannner in the car a lot. I have a Mobileone Bandspanner on my ute and i find it works pretty well as both a receiving and transmitting antenna. Have a looky here http://www.mobileone.com.au/antennas/scanner.htm

Schism_ · Post by **Schism_** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:21 pm

I put an external GME antenna on my commodore today, works a treat, picking up Albany Police who are 300km away!! Amazing! Ran the cable through the boot so not to have it as a permanent thing.

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:45 pm

Cool, cheers, What would you reccomend antenna wise? I dont want something too expensive and im a pretty handy man so i could install it myself. Cause my car is a 2whl sedan i dont want 1 that will tower over the car. Is our SES vehicles we have v small antennas, alike the ones in the unmarked WAPOL cars. Something like that would be fine but i wouldnt have a clue about them?
Any suggestions? Thanks

Schism_ · Post by **Schism_** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:52 pm

Mine is roughly 40cm long, on a mount screwed into the side of my car, the antenna is fibreglass and was only 30 bucks. You can buy magnetic mounts with ready-made cable as well. The end of my cable had to be changed to a bnc connection, the same as on top of your scanner. The antennas mentioned in the above link are more than good enough to do the job, especially in Perth.

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:25 pm

What are your thoughts on this?

http://www.tandy.com.au/cgi-bin/tandy.s ... View/D4434

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:43 pm

You would have been listening to a repeater that is relaying the GT Southern radio channel ( they are linked throughout the Gt Southern)not getting 300km only 40/50km to the link repeater

Schism_ · Post by **Schism_** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:55 pm

Yeah I guessed that when I thought there was no way it was possible, I occasionally get Boddington etc. too.

JG-103 · Post by **JG-103** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:06 am

i find almost no difference between using the bandspanner on my car and using the scanner's antenna whilst driving.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 6:38 am

Boddington on the same hub 468.100

Jared · Post by **Jared** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 8:38 am

Sorry, didnt realise that above link didnt go straight to the product. Here is another

http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.store ... View/D4434

IT coveres a broarder spectrum of frequency range. Its in the local store so i may just go look at it

Schism_ · Post by **Schism_** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:30 pm

It would do the job.

FG103 · Post by **FG103** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 1:42 pm

Definately worth considering. Im in Gero and can receive VKI nice and clear in the summer months when the conditions are right.