How to Set Up a Scanner Antenna
Both handheld and base scanner users can take advantage of extended range available by removing the built-in scanner antenna and setting up an optional external antenna. External antennas have more radiators and radials than stock scanner antennas, so they receive more frequencies over greater distances and are less prone to environmental interference than an stock antenna. Scanner antennas are set up by assembling, mounting on a mast, grounding and running cable to the scanner.
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Things You'll Need
- Coaxial cable
- Adjustable wrench
- Mallet
- PL-259 coaxial cable connector
- ½-inch rebar
- 8-gauge ground wire
- Fastener
Instructions
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1
Remove the existing antenna by pushing it in and twisting a quarter turn. Discard it.
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2
Assemble the radial rods on the new antenna by screwing an included jam nut on the threaded end of each rod and placing a radial cap on the other end of the rod. Scanner antennas are all a bit different depending on the designers' idea of what will work best--and some will have more radials than others. Basic scanner antennas that cover 108 to 1300 MHz often have three vertical radiators and three horizontal radiators.
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3
Tighten each radial rod onto the hub of the radiator assembly, which is supplied assembled. Tighten the jam nuts against the hub. Insert caps onto the ends of the radiator rods. Attach the assemblage to the mounting bracket with the included hardware. The lock washer goes on first, then the nut.
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4
Affix the antenna to an existing TV mast. Use the included U-bolt, washers and nuts. Connect the coaxial cable to the antenna with a PL-259 connector.
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5
Drive a piece of rebar into the ground close to the antenna. Connect the antenna to ground by running ground cable from the U-bolt to the rebar. Wrap the ground wire around the rebar and fasten.
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6
Run the coaxial cable to the scanner to complete the scanner antenna set up and connect it to the BNC connector that was made available in Step 1.
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References
- Photo Credit BNC connectors and cable image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
