How to Build a Police Scanner Antenna
Electronics and hobbies have long gone hand in hand, and people of all ages and experience levels can get involved. One of the best ways to learn about electronics and how they work is to build your own. Building a police scanner antenna is a great way to start and will provide hours of entertainment when completed. There are many types and styles that you can build and experimentation is the key. Once you build an antenna, you will be able to keep up with the latest police activity in your neighborhood and city as well as any breaking news to help keep you safe.
Things You'll Need
- SO-239 connector
- Table vise
- 5 stainless steel or copper rods, 1/8-by-25-inches
- 80 grit sandpaper
- Flux
- Soldering gun
- Solder
- Needle-nose pliers
- 4 No. 6 stainless steel bolts and nuts (sized to fit through the SO-239 connector)
- Measuring tape
- Wire cutters
- Clear outdoor window sealant
- Coaxial cable
- Safety glasses
Instructions
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1
Carefully mount the SO-239 connector in a table vise so that the male side of the plug is facing upward. Using the 80 grit sandpaper, sand about 1 inch on one end of a 25-inch rod. This will allow the solder to adhere to the rod and connector to form a better connection.
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2
Apply a small amount (about the size of a pencil lead) of flux around the end of the rod that has been sanded. Insert the sanded end of the rod into the SO-239 connector pin and hold carefully. Using the soldering gun, solder the rod to the pin until there is a tight, clean bond from the rod to the connector pin. Use just enough solder to make the connection. Do not overheat the connector pin with the solder gun or you will melt the plastic insulator inside the connector.
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3
Make sure the four remaining rods are perfectly straight. Using the needle-nose pliers, make a small bend on one end of each of the four rods to form a circle just large enough for the No. 6 bolts to go through. Attach the four rods, one to each corner hole on the SO-239 connector using the No. 6 bolts and nuts. Make sure they are snugly fit with the pliers, but do not overtighten to avoid stripping the threads.
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4
Hold the connector carefully level in the upright position with the one rod straight up. Use the pliers and bend down the four rods at the base of the SO-239 connector at a 45-degree angle. Check each bolt and nut again to ensure they are still tight.
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5
Measure each of the four rods and main upright element to 20 inches and cut off any extra wire. Apply the clear window sealant to the top of the connector to help keep rain and moisture out of the connector and cable.
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6
Use a string to hang the antenna from an outdoor eave or in the attic. Attach one end of the coaxial cable to the SO-239 and the other end to the scanner.
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Tips & Warnings
You also can use bicycle spokes or piano wire for your rods.
For best reception, it is recommended that you hang the antenna outside.
Safety must come first, so never hang or mount your antenna next to or around any power lines.
Wear safety goggles to avoid injury to the eyes from the rods as you assemble your antenna.
The antenna is for receiving only and all local laws and ordinances pertaining to police scanners and monitoring police frequencies should be followed.
