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Is a dipole required for a scanner?


office888 said:
As far as I know, even for receiving, you should have a counterpoise to help balance the electrical needs of an antenna.

-Richard-
Click to expand...

Try it both ways. I bet you won't notice any difference for receiving. MAYBE if you have some very expensive lab equipment you could detect some difference, but to your ear alone, nope.
 
There are no particular requirements for an antenna for a scanner/receiver, almost anything will work. An antenna that's 'made' for the particular frequency ranges you want to listen to would be nice. Since most of the bands covered by a typical scanner are going to be 25 Mhz and above, mostly VHF/UHF, antenna height will make more of a difference than antenna length (to some extent). A simple wire thrown over a tree, or house, will work about as well as anything.
- 'Doc
 
Thanks!

FWIW, I did install it at the old place as just a wire, and later as a dipole. I didn't notice any difference...just didn't know if it was needed.
 
If you like to "tinker" why not make a simple 1/4 wave vertical out of a (AW, I just forgot the designator for the connector)...but it's the base version of the PL-259---the part you coax screws into:sad:! Can't think of the number right now. DRAT! Anyway, take that MALE connector and a flat piece of aluminum and drill a hole that will fit it. Turn it upside down and secure the connector to it, either with 4 little screws OR with a half-nut leaving enough room for your coax to screw onto it from the bottom. Take an old CB whip and cut it to about 20" (so you can prune it if you are "persnickety" OR leave it at that length since a scanner receiver is not that critical as transmitting. Solder this whip into the center from the back (opposite to where the cable screws on) Now either drill 3 or 4 little holes for your radials IN the aluminum bracket or use the 4 little holes on the connector.
Cut 3-4 more little 20" wires (you can even use hanger wires and paint them so they won't rust on you). Attach this bracket/antenna to a pole, tower, or chimney and VOILA! Works better if you "droop" your radials, but not really critical for receiving. You got yerself a reasonable scanner antenna! Paint all "rust-prone parts. I've made bunches of these.


CWM
 
Let's see...you'll need to accumulate the following stuff: a distortion analyzer, 500 MHz o'scope w/dual trace and digital storage, a catalytic converter from a 1992 Ford Escort, two clothespins (not the spring type; too much inductance)...

And a wand from Ollivander's shop. :w00t:
 
packrat said:
Don't forget the polarity reference device and sporadic indicator.
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Aha! Those are built right into the catalytic converter. One of Ford's "better ideas"! :drool:

Actually, if you have the Ollivander's wand, you can use a simple spell to produce any of the above ingredients. If I remember right, you swish and flick the wand, while saying "Avada Kedavra".

Yeah. That's it....
 
Last edited:
Beetle said:
Aha! Those are built right into the catalytic converter. One of Ford's "better ideas"! :drool:

Actually, if you have the Ollivander's wand, you can use a simple spell to produce any of the above ingredients. If I remember right, you swish and flick the wand, while saying "Avada Kedavra".

Yeah. That's it....
Click to expand...

That's what I did wrong. I was saying "Abner Cadaver". :D
 

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