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  1. #1
    Lead Foot
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Central Florida
    Posts
    435

    Default Need some help with Scanner Antenna...

    Hey guys,

    I Have a little situation here, I am having trouble deciding which scanner antenna to use, here is what I have

    -Radioshack Pro-2051
    -Magnet Mount Antenna
    -Stock Antenna
    -Rubber duck antenna from my handheld

    Here is my situation, I am about to take a long road trip and would like to use my pro-2051 to it best ability, the problem is, since this is only gonna be use temporarily from time to time, I do not want to mount an antenna on my car, I have a nissan 350z which has a very low roof line, i would like to have an antenna inside the car, my friend gave me the magnet mount antenna but on the box it says it can only handle speeds up to 65 mph

    So here is my dilema, I don't know which antenna to use, I have read that the antennas work best when they are vertical, however, i can mount the magnet antenna sideways (horizontal) across the rear hatchback with relative ease, or I could use either the stock antenna or the rubber antenna, my main concern is to get maximum range for the highway patrol alert function and to also be able to listen in to cb chat

    If someone could give me suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Advanced Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Southern MA
    Posts
    10,127

    Default

    It all depends on the frequencies you want to focus on....best range would be with an external antenna...I'm not sure which band the highway patrol alert board cast on but get an antenna suited for that...Also i might suggest using a CB as well

    Spoiler: show

    Radar Detectors-V1 & BEL v995
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    Scanner-RS Pro-96

  3. #3
    Lead Foot
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Central Florida
    Posts
    435

    Default

    Thanks for the quick reply,

    An external antenna is not really an option due to the fact that the only one i would be able to use would be a glass mount, but all of my windows have metal film on them

    Of the 3 antenna's that I have, which would you recomend?

  4. #4
    Power User
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    In Car RamRod
    Posts
    4,001

    Default

    I would go the magnet mount antenna, its going to be much better than a duckie

  5. #5
    Professional
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Daytona Beach, FL
    Posts
    1,406

    Default

    If you don't work for a press organization, or do not hold an amatuer radio operators license, then in FL it is illegal to INSTALL a scanner in your car. The FL AG says that either mounting an antenna on the car and/or hooking it up to the power in your car constitutes installation.

    Leaving a handheld with it's own antenna and batteries running in a car is OK. (Crazy huh?)

    I'd use a cup holder or one of those suction cup grip things to hold it up in a window until you are out of the state.

    Google "scanner state laws" and you can see that FL, KY, MI, and I think NY among others have some rules. In ever case I do belive there's an exemption for press and Hams. Why? Because both the press and Hams (via ARRL) have legal lobbies.

    Ed

  6. #6
    Newcomer
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    20

    Default

    If you go to Unidens website and check scanner accessories you'll find a length of wire and a connector designed to go on the inside of your window. Probably good enough for what you have in mind.

  7. #7
    Advanced Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Southern MA
    Posts
    10,127

    Default

    is also depends on the unit you want and the frequencies the radioshack 800mhz duckie antenna is great for 800mhz channels

    Spoiler: show

    Radar Detectors-V1 & BEL v995
    Laser Jammer-Laser Interceptor Quad
    GPS Camera Locator-Cheetah C100
    GPS Nav-Garmin nuvi w/Trapster
    CB Radio-Galaxy DX-949 w/Wilson 500
    Scanner-RS Pro-96

  8. #8
    Experienced
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    259

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by edweird
    If you don't work for a press organization, or do not hold an amatuer radio operators license, then in FL it is illegal to INSTALL a scanner in your car. The FL AG says that either mounting an antenna on the car and/or hooking it up to the power in your car constitutes installation.

    Leaving a handheld with it's own antenna and batteries running in a car is OK. (Crazy huh?)

    I'd use a cup holder or one of those suction cup grip things to hold it up in a window until you are out of the state.

    Google "scanner state laws" and you can see that FL, KY, MI, and I think NY among others have some rules. In ever case I do belive there's an exemption for press and Hams. Why? Because both the press and Hams (via ARRL) have legal lobbies.

    Ed

    You can no longer even HAVE a scanner in the car, batteries or not.

    http://www.flsenate.gov/cgi-bin/view...billtext/html/

  9. #9
    Yoda of Radar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    O'FALLON, MISSOURI
    Posts
    15,630

    Default

    Actualy you might be able to get around that if you have a scanner that has weather alert technology.
    Laser Interceptor Dual, Laser Interceptor Quad, Valentine 1 & The Escort 8500 X50 - Blue, Uniden BC296D, GRE500, Lasershield, 2011 Kia Soul +, Yamaha FZ6, 2005 Black Dodge Neon SRT-4,


  10. #10
    Lead Foot
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    San Francisco
    Posts
    363

    Default

    Use the magnet mount for best performance because you can mount it anywhere and it is not permanent so if you put it on the highest point of your car i.e. roof you don't have to worry about damage. The Antenna Specialist Mon-51 is excellent. Anything is better than a rubber duckie antenna or indoor antenna.

 

 

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