How to Make the Best Scanner Radio Antenna
Building a scanner antenna, which is also known as a ground plane antenna, can be both fun and educational. Building your own antenna is a great way to learn how signals are received through the air. A scanner antenna will allow you to receive communication taking place between law enforcement agencies, air traffic control, and rescue services. The key to making the best antenna is having solid connections and solder joints, which will improve the reception and sensitivity of the antenna.
Things You'll Need
- 5 copper coat hangers
- Measuring tape
- Wire cutters
- Sandpaper, 180 grit
- Needle nose pliers
- Female UHF connector
- Soldering gun
- Rosin
- Solder
Instructions
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1
Cut each of the hooks (heads) off the coat hangers. Straighten the coat hangers until they form perfectly straight copper rods, with no bends or kinks.
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2
Measure and cut four of the rods to 24 inches long. Sand each of the rods to remove any paint or finish on the metal. Using needle nose pliers, bend a small hook or half loop in one end of each rod.
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3
Dip the hook end of one of the rods into the rosin to apply a small amount to the end. Insert this same end into one of the holes on the frame of the female UHF connector. Solder the end of the rod to the connector, using a soldering gun to heat and melt the solder as you apply it to the point where the rod and connector meet.
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4
Repeat Step 3 to attach the three remaining rods to the three remaining holes on the frame of the UHF connector. When complete, you will have four rods (radials) that will extend from each corner of the UHF connector.
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5
Measure and cut a new copper rod to 26 inches long. Sand the rod to clean away any paint. Insert one end of the rod into the end of the hollow tip on the UHF connector. Using the solder and soldering gun, melt the solder around the rod and UHF connector tip to attach the two together and form a connection for the vertical element.
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6
Using the needle nose pliers, bend each of the 24-inch radials downward at a 45-degree angle.
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7
Attach the connector from the cable connected to the scanner radio to the bottom of the UHF connector on the antenna. Thread the two connectors together in a clockwise direction, and tighten them down with your fingers until they are snug.
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8
Position the antenna near a window or outside, and turn the scanner on and test for reception.
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Tips & Warnings
The higher you can place the antenna, the better the antenna will receive the signals. You could also use the needle nose pliers to bend a small hook in the vertical element and tie a string through it to suspend it from the ceiling.
Use caution when using the soldering gun, because it is several hundred degrees in temperature and can cause serious burns to the skin.
Never leave a hot soldering iron unattended, since it could cause a fire if it comes in contact with a combustible material.
