How to Build Your Own Scanner Radio Antennas
Building a scanner antenna is a fun way to teach yourself how they operate. With your new scanner antenna, you will be able to tune in to the airwaves around you and listen to the aviation, weather, police, rescue, and utility frequencies in your area. Knowing how to build your own scanner radio antennas can seem challenging at first, but with a few items and steps to follow you will be up and running in no time.
One of the major advantages of building your own antenna is that many times you already have most of the parts laying around the house, which can cut the cost of buying a new one. When complete, you will be proud of your new home built antenna and enjoy showing it off to your friends.
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Things You'll Need
- Five 1/8 inch stainless steel or copper rods (25 inches each)
- Soldering gun
- Solder
- Flux
- Wire cutters
- Measuring tape
- Needle nose pliers
- Table Vise
- Safety glasses
- 80 grit sandpaper
- Clear outdoor window sealant (tube)
- SO-239 connector
- 4 stainless steel bolts and nuts (#6) (sized to fit through the SO-239 connector)
Instructions
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1
Carefully mount the SO-239 connector in the table vise so that the male side of the plug is facing upward.
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2
Take one of the rods and using the #80 sandpaper, sand one end of the rod about 1 inch. This will allow the solder to adhere to the rod and connector forming a better connection.
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3
Apply a small amount (about the size of a pencil lead) of flux around the end of the rod that has been sanded.
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4
Insert the sanded end of the rod into the SO-230 connector pin and hold this carefully. Using the solder and soldering gun, solder the rod to the pin until there is a tight and clean bond from the rod to the connector pin. Use just enough solder to make the connection and not over solder. Take note not to overheat the connector pin with the solder gun and melt the plastic insulator inside the connector.
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5
Take the four remaining rods and make sure they are perfectly straight. Using the needle nose pliers on one end of each of the four rods make a small bend to form a circle just large enough for the #6 bolts to go through.
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6
Attach the four rods, one to each corner hole on the SO-239 connector using the #6 sized bolts and nuts. Make sure they are snug fit with the pliers, but do not over-tighten to avoid stripping the threads.
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Holding the connector carefully level in the upright position with the one rod straight up, use the pliers and bend the four rods (radials) at the base of the SO-239 connector to approximately 45 degrees. Check each bolt and nut once again to ensure it is still snug tight.
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Measure each of the four radials and main upright element to 24 inches and cut off any extra wire.
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9
Apply the clear window and door sealant to the top of the connector to help keep rain and moisture out of the connector and cable.
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10
Using a string you can hang the antenna from and outdoor eave or inside the attic. Attach the coxial cable to the SO-239 on one end and the other to the scanner.
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Tips & Warnings
Safety must always come first and never hang or mount your antenna next to or around any power lines. Wear safety goggles to avoid injury to the eyes from the radials as you assemble your antenna.
