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BCT 15 Antenna
BCT 15 Antenna
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BCT 15 Antenna
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Listener
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BCT 15 Antenna
«
on:
December 31, 2009, 07:39:13 PM »
I'm looking for a good antenna to replace the original without going to a big outdoor antenna. I'm trying to improve reception on a few channels that I pick up but they aren't always strong. Anyone have any ideas on a good indoor antenna? Will mounting an antenna in the attic help?
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tomvanderpool
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Don't Panic
Re: BCT 15 Antenna
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Reply #1 on:
January 01, 2010, 12:15:51 AM »
I had reasonable luck with Radio Shack 20-176 model "outdoor" antenna. It's pretty small and I had it close to the radio inside the house at first (it's now outside and does do better). Thought it was decent inside. I suppose in the attic would be a little better (higher). Figured I couldn't go wrong with it for $26.99. Did have to buy a short piece of coax to go from it to the radio. Other than the 800 mhz antenna from RS that everyone brags on (and I have had good luck with it too - think it's 20-283 for $20) this is a pretty cheap way to go for improving reception. Might want to give it a look.
I used these antennas on 996T, 996XT and a 396xT but I would assume you'd have similar results on your 15.
Tom
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Dick
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Re: BCT 15 Antenna
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Reply #2 on:
January 02, 2010, 12:45:44 PM »
One of the things that you might want to consider is a mag mount antenna. I've found that the Larsen 150/450/800 placed on a metal pizza pan, cookie sheet, or top of a file cabinet works quite well indoors. The reason for the pizza pan, cookie sheet, or file cabinet is to provide a ground plane for the antenna.
Putting an antenna in the attic can be helpful provided that your roof covering isn't metal. Cable losses increase as the cable from the antenna gets longer and also are greater at higher frequencies, so it will depend in part on what frequencies you are trying to improve. You will have a trade off between the cable losses and the generally stronger signal that you get from having the antenna higher up. Typically, the attic will provide an improvement if you can do it with a reasonable length of good quality cable.
You may find that a mag mount in the room where you use your scanner is an adequate improvement. In that case, you can easily take the antenna with you when you want to listen in your car. Pretty much any antenna that you place outside of the enclosed passenger compartment of a vehicle will make substantial improvements on your mobile scanning.
Dick
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