req antenna recommedations - up to 3GHz

[tg]

I'm a newbie upgrading to a 3GHz scanning system so I'm no looking
round for recommedations and feedback on antennas that perform up to
3GHz. I would rather spend extra for a professional level antenna than
go for a cheaper option. The AOR DA5000 looks good but I'd appreciate
any tips before I start shelling out money. I'm currently scanning
with a D130 discone which works well but it only goes up to 1300MHz.
Thanks for any advice.

[Rog]

"tg" > wrote in message
...
> I'm a newbie upgrading to a 3GHz scanning system so I'm no looking round
> for recommedations and feedback on antennas that perform up to 3GHz. I
> would rather spend extra for a professional level antenna than go for a
> cheaper option. The AOR DA5000 looks good but I'd appreciate any tips
> before I start shelling out money. I'm currently scanning with a D130
> discone which works well but it only goes up to 1300MHz. Thanks for any
> advice.
>
You will be lucky if you pick up ANYTHING worth listening to above 400Mhz
R


I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html

[tg]

"Rog" > wrote in message
...
>
> "tg" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I'm a newbie upgrading to a 3GHz scanning system so I'm no looking
>> round for recommedations and feedback on antennas that perform up
>> to 3GHz. I would rather spend extra for a professional level
>> antenna than go for a cheaper option. The AOR DA5000 looks good but
>> I'd appreciate any tips before I start shelling out money. I'm
>> currently scanning with a D130 discone which works well but it only
>> goes up to 1300MHz. Thanks for any advice.
>>
> You will be lucky if you pick up ANYTHING worth listening to above
> 400Mhz
> R

hey thanks for your really positive and constructive comments Rog. I
didn't ask for advice about what's available in the upper spectrum, I
know what the score is there so let me worry about that. With an
attitude like yours maybe you should just stick to your transistor
radio.

[Steve Terry]

"Rog" > wrote in message
...
> "tg" > wrote in message
> ...
<snip>
> You will be lucky if you pick up ANYTHING worth listening to above 400Mhz
> R
>
There's lots above 400MHz worth listening to, 400 to 470 MHz
you have shopwatch, pubwatch, traffic wardens, rail station staff,
tube station staff, hospital staff, airport ground services, TV studio talk
back,
and all sorts of users on 446MHz PMR, etc.

1297MHz you have Amateur radio NBFM beacon/voice repeaters

Steve Terry

[Walter - kg4bvd - SAR Comms Dispatcher]

What would you listen to there anyway? Just some digital beeps and
gibberish? There is nothing such as clear voice there! You are wasting
money!


On Feb 24, 5:54 am, "tg" > wrote:
> I'm a newbie upgrading to a 3GHz scanning system so I'm no looking
> round for recommedations and feedback on antennas that perform up to
> 3GHz. I would rather spend extra for a professional level antenna than
> go for a cheaper option. The AOR DA5000 looks good but I'd appreciate
> any tips before I start shelling out money. I'm currently scanning
> with a D130 discone which works well but it only goes up to 1300MHz.
> Thanks for any advice.

[Mr Mo]

On Feb 25, 8:14*am, Walter - kg4bvd - SAR Comms Dispatcher
> wrote:
> What would you listen to there anyway? Just some digital beeps and
> gibberish? There is nothing such as clear voice there! You are wasting
> money!

http://www.uhf-satcom.com/cband/

3605.425 1544.575 Analogue phone channel (1535.425 return)

[Rog]

"tg" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Rog" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "tg" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> I'm a newbie upgrading to a 3GHz scanning system so I'm no looking round
>>> for recommedations and feedback on antennas that perform up to 3GHz. I
>>> would rather spend extra for a professional level antenna than go for a
>>> cheaper option. The AOR DA5000 looks good but I'd appreciate any tips
>>> before I start shelling out money. I'm currently scanning with a D130
>>> discone which works well but it only goes up to 1300MHz. Thanks for any
>>> advice.
>>>
>> You will be lucky if you pick up ANYTHING worth listening to above 400Mhz
>> R
>
> hey thanks for your really positive and constructive comments Rog. I
> didn't ask for advice about what's available in the upper spectrum, I know
> what the score is there so let me worry about that. With an attitude like
> yours maybe you should just stick to your transistor radio.
>
you would hear a HELL of a lot more on a transistor radio that you would up
in the 3GHz your waffling on about,
R


I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html

[Timfy]

Rog wrote:
> "tg" > wrote in message
> ...
>> "Rog" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> "tg" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> I'm a newbie upgrading to a 3GHz scanning system so I'm no looking round
>>>> for recommedations and feedback on antennas that perform up to 3GHz. I
>>>> would rather spend extra for a professional level antenna than go for a
>>>> cheaper option. The AOR DA5000 looks good but I'd appreciate any tips
>>>> before I start shelling out money. I'm currently scanning with a D130
>>>> discone which works well but it only goes up to 1300MHz. Thanks for any
>>>> advice.
>>>>
>>> You will be lucky if you pick up ANYTHING worth listening to above 400Mhz
>>> R
>> hey thanks for your really positive and constructive comments Rog. I
>> didn't ask for advice about what's available in the upper spectrum, I know
>> what the score is there so let me worry about that. With an attitude like
>> yours maybe you should just stick to your transistor radio.
>>
> you would hear a HELL of a lot more on a transistor radio that you would up
> in the 3GHz your waffling on about,
> R
>
>
> I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
> http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html
>
>

I am in agreement with most of the posters who advise that there is very
little voice traffic at these frequencies, however if you want to play
around tracking the various signals etc that are kicking around up there
(and why not, this hobby is different for everyone!) theres a lot of fun
to be had up at these frequencies using a homemade parabolic antenna on
a fishing pole. Search google for homebrew, parabolic and, of all
things, wok! Most of the pages that you'll turn up concern wifi however
the antennas that are shown can be easily modified. Also search on the
pringle can antenna.

Good luck and, despite the whingers, have fun with your hobby.

Timfy

[Brian Kals]

"tg" > skrev i en meddelelse
...
> I'm a newbie upgrading to a 3GHz scanning system so I'm no looking round
> for recommedations and feedback on antennas that perform up to 3GHz. I
> would rather spend extra for a professional level antenna than go for a
> cheaper option. The AOR DA5000 looks good but I'd appreciate any tips
> before I start shelling out money. I'm currently scanning with a D130
> discone which works well but it only goes up to 1300MHz. Thanks for any
> advice.

Hi TG.

Well it depends very much on what you want to hear.
Is it ground or space trafic?

A broadband antenna or discone, is not a very good antenna, compaired to a
dedicated antenna for a smaller frequency area. If your planing to catch
some satellites, a broadband/discone is not the way to go, the gain
efficiency is simply too low.

Regards
Brian

[Greg[_5_]]

>> I'm a newbie upgrading to a 3GHz scanning system so I'm no looking round for recommedations and feedback on antennas that perform
>> up to 3GHz. I would rather spend extra for a professional level antenna than go for a cheaper option. The AOR DA5000 looks good
>> but I'd appreciate any tips before I start shelling out money. I'm currently scanning with a D130 discone which works well but it
>> only goes up to 1300MHz. Thanks for any advice.
>>
> You will be lucky if you pick up ANYTHING worth listening to above 400Mhz
> R

There's alot around 400-500 as steve terry said in his reply,
and around 800-1000 there's alot of analogue repeaters,
shortrange stereo wireless/headphone, and cordless phones.

[Greg[_5_]]

I could also comment on the antenna question,
personally I mainly use the Dressler ARA-2000 active antenna
but a good discone with a low noise preamp would be just as fine.

Preamps are usually required on high frequencies due to signal loss
in the cable, so to overcome the noise you'd use a preamp.
(well, technically you use a line-amp. to overcome the cable loss
and low noise preamp to increase sensitivity)
I'd go with active antennas for any UHF reception.

>1GHz (microwave) you mainly use directive antennas,
dish and/or horn or yagi is most common and very effective,
though very narrow band, you won't find anything to cover
1-3GHz, you'd probably not have more than 0.1GHz span
using a helix so you'll need an antenna for every purpose.....

//Greg

(excuse me for improper pronunciation and/or formulation,
I'm not from UK, I'm swedish :)

[tg]

"Walter - kg4bvd - SAR Comms Dispatcher" > wrote
in message
...
> What would you listen to there anyway? Just some digital beeps and
> gibberish? There is nothing such as clear voice there! You are
> wasting
> money!

who says clear voice is my only interest? There's a spectrum of
different things up there and I want to investigate things and expand
my knowledge. I'm certainly not going to achieve that listening to a
neg-bot like you.

[tg]

"Rog" > wrote in message
...

> you would hear a HELL of a lot more on a transistor radio that you
> would up in the 3GHz your waffling on about,
> R
>
ok Rog, you stick to your transistor radio and I'll do what I wanna
do.

[Rog]

"tg" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Walter - kg4bvd - SAR Comms Dispatcher" > wrote
> in message
> ...
>> What would you listen to there anyway? Just some digital beeps and
>> gibberish? There is nothing such as clear voice there! You are
>> wasting
>> money!
>
> who says clear voice is my only interest? There's a spectrum of
> different things up there and I want to investigate things and expand my
> knowledge. I'm certainly not going to achieve that listening to a neg-bot
> like you.

You have been told there is not much worth listening to up in that range,
you have been advised to save your money, yet all you seem to do is reply in
an abusive manner every time anybody posts anything that you don't want to
hear, WHY should anybody advise an arse-hole like you
Rog



I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html

[tg]

"Brian Kals" > wrote in message
k...
>
> "tg" > skrev i en meddelelse
> ...
>> I'm a newbie upgrading to a 3GHz scanning system so I'm no looking
>> round for recommedations and feedback on antennas that perform up
>> to 3GHz. I would rather spend extra for a professional level
>> antenna than go for a cheaper option. The AOR DA5000 looks good but
>> I'd appreciate any tips before I start shelling out money. I'm
>> currently scanning with a D130 discone which works well but it only
>> goes up to 1300MHz. Thanks for any advice.
>
> Hi TG.
>
> Well it depends very much on what you want to hear.
> Is it ground or space trafic?

both if that's at all possible Brian...
I have noticed that upper spectrum antennas tend to be more narrow in
the frequencies they target, unlike lower spectrum discones which try
to cover a wide range. So I'm none the wiser at this stage.

[tg]

"Rog" > wrote in message
...
>
> "tg" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Walter - kg4bvd - SAR Comms Dispatcher" >
>> wrote
>> in message
>> ...
>>> What would you listen to there anyway? Just some digital beeps and
>>> gibberish? There is nothing such as clear voice there! You are
>>> wasting
>>> money!
>>
>> who says clear voice is my only interest? There's a spectrum of
>> different things up there and I want to investigate things and
>> expand my knowledge. I'm certainly not going to achieve that
>> listening to a neg-bot like you.
>
> You have been told there is not much worth listening to up in that
> range, you have been advised to save your money, yet all you seem to
> do is reply in an abusive manner every time anybody posts anything
> that you don't want to hear, WHY should anybody advise an arse-hole
> like you
> Rog

'You have been told there is not much worth listening to ' - that's
what I call arrogance.
I never asked anyone for advice about what was available in the upper
spectrum. I never asked for anyone's opinion on how I choose to spend
my money. I simply asked for advice and feedback on a suitable antenna
designed to work in that range, that's all. Whether or not I want to
take a look in the upper spectrum for myself is entirely up to me,
It's actually no-one elses business. You are not at liberty to make it
your business. Now unless you've got experience with antennas designed
for the upper spectrum I wish you'd just back off.

[tg]

"Greg" > wrote in message
...
>I could also comment on the antenna question,
> personally I mainly use the Dressler ARA-2000 active antenna
> but a good discone with a low noise preamp would be just as fine.

thanks for your feedback Greg but I see the ARA-2000 only goes up to
2G and the scanner I'm intending to use goes to 3G and I want to be
able to utilise the full range of the scanner.

[tg]

"S F" > wrote in message
...
> The main thing is if there was a broadband antenna for the frequency
> of interest, the losses in the cable, even a few feet could kill a
> signal above 1G .

but isn't that why we have active antennas? to overcome the losses?
also your comments contradict these antennas:
http://www.wimo.de/wifi-omnidirectional-outdoor-antennas_e.html
and they're supplied with cables that go up to 8 meters.

[Greg[_5_]]

>> The main thing is if there was a broadband antenna for the frequency
>> of interest, the losses in the cable, even a few feet could kill a
>> signal above 1G .
>
> but isn't that why we have active antennas? to overcome the losses?
> also your comments contradict these antennas:
> http://www.wimo.de/wifi-omnidirectional-outdoor-antennas_e.html
> and they're supplied with cables that go up to 8 meters.


Sure, I use 30meter H-1000 cable at 1.4-2.8GHz, you just need adequate
amplification, most cable types have diagrams showing the attenuation
at certain test frequencies.
http://www.elfaelektronika.lt/cgi-bin/index.cgi?artnr=55-914-25&lng=eng
For instance.... there's more types of cable to compare with, but personally
I like the Belden H-1000, double-shielded with copper braid and foil,
all for a reasonable cost....
You simply just don't use 100m RG174 at GHz frequencies :-)

[tg]

"Greg" > wrote in message
...
>>> The main thing is if there was a broadband antenna for the
>>> frequency
>>> of interest, the losses in the cable, even a few feet could kill a
>>> signal above 1G .
>>
>> but isn't that why we have active antennas? to overcome the losses?
>> also your comments contradict these antennas:
>> http://www.wimo.de/wifi-omnidirectional-outdoor-antennas_e.html
>> and they're supplied with cables that go up to 8 meters.
>
>
> Sure, I use 30meter H-1000 cable at 1.4-2.8GHz, you just need
> adequate
> amplification, most cable types have diagrams showing the
> attenuation
> at certain test frequencies.
> http://www.elfaelektronika.lt/cgi-bin/index.cgi?artnr=55-914-25&lng=eng
> For instance.... there's more types of cable to compare with, but
> personally
> I like the Belden H-1000, double-shielded with copper braid and
> foil,
> all for a reasonable cost....
> You simply just don't use 100m RG174 at GHz frequencies :-)

what type of antenna are you using for 2.8GHz?

[john]

tg are you on msn
"tg" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Greg" > wrote in message
> ...
>>>> The main thing is if there was a broadband antenna for the frequency
>>>> of interest, the losses in the cable, even a few feet could kill a
>>>> signal above 1G .
>>>
>>> but isn't that why we have active antennas? to overcome the losses?
>>> also your comments contradict these antennas:
>>> http://www.wimo.de/wifi-omnidirectional-outdoor-antennas_e.html
>>> and they're supplied with cables that go up to 8 meters.
>>
>>
>> Sure, I use 30meter H-1000 cable at 1.4-2.8GHz, you just need adequate
>> amplification, most cable types have diagrams showing the attenuation
>> at certain test frequencies.
>> http://www.elfaelektronika.lt/cgi-bin/index.cgi?artnr=55-914-25&lng=eng
>> For instance.... there's more types of cable to compare with, but
>> personally
>> I like the Belden H-1000, double-shielded with copper braid and foil,
>> all for a reasonable cost....
>> You simply just don't use 100m RG174 at GHz frequencies :-)
>
> what type of antenna are you using for 2.8GHz?
>

[Brian Kals]

"tg" > skrev i en meddelelse
...

> both if that's at all possible Brian...
> I have noticed that upper spectrum antennas tend to be more narrow in
> the frequencies they target, unlike lower spectrum discones which try
> to cover a wide range. So I'm none the wiser at this stage.

If you want to learn about satellites signals and antennas for it, you
should visit www.uhf-sat.com
In the chatroom im sure you can finde someone to answer all your satellite
questions.

Regards
Brian

[tg]

"john" > wrote in message
...
> tg are you on msn

yeah. send yoiur msn contact details to if you
want to hook up.

[Greg[_5_]]

Above 2.5'ish I've only used it on the spectrum analyzer for stuff
like short range data transmission modules.

Below that, at 2.1-2.2 there are alot of deep space satellites
(it's a 'sport' trying to receive a carrier of far away signals).
ULNA Ultra Low Noise Amplifiers is required directly at the feed.
<0.5dBF
Dish and feedhorn is the way to do this.

At 1.7GHz I've used it for reception of Meteosat pictures
(got some on my old site www.gravitywell.org , for instance
http://www.gravitywell.org/meteosat/images/globe_vis2.jpg )
Wide FM, 30-40kHz bandwidth required.
Dish and feedhorn was the way for me... 180cm dish.
Picture at http://www.gravitywell.org/station/station.htm
Regular line-amplifiers for sat.tv worked so so but I'd
recommend an <1.0dBF LNA at least... )

At 1.5 there was Inmarsat telephone calls, where I also used a dish :-)
but here I used a broadband helical feed at the focalpoint as the
transmissions are over such a wide spectrum, dish was a 'small' 150cm
I do belive yagis are starting to get usuable around here...
Picture at http://www.gravitywell.org/station/station.htm

At 1.42 - where I use it today - I use an 0.2dBF ULNA on my
3 meter dish with dual probe feedhorn http://www.gravitywell.org/station/dish.jpg .
Officially I use it for hydrogen line amateur radio astronomy.
In-officially I use it for seti - people look at you so weird if you say this hihi :-)

Perhaps you'll find the block schematic setup interesting,
http://www.gravitywell.org/station/block.png

Every band use require a different feedhorn, not just the probe length
but also the tube length and diameter (usually)....
....there is no ultimate 1-3GHz broadband directional antenna.... sorry...


>>>> The main thing is if there was a broadband antenna for the frequency
>>>> of interest, the losses in the cable, even a few feet could kill a
>>>> signal above 1G .
>>>
>>> but isn't that why we have active antennas? to overcome the losses?
>>> also your comments contradict these antennas:
>>> http://www.wimo.de/wifi-omnidirectional-outdoor-antennas_e.html
>>> and they're supplied with cables that go up to 8 meters.
>>
>>
>> Sure, I use 30meter H-1000 cable at 1.4-2.8GHz, you just need adequate
>> amplification, most cable types have diagrams showing the attenuation
>> at certain test frequencies.
>> http://www.elfaelektronika.lt/cgi-bin/index.cgi?artnr=55-914-25&lng=eng
>> For instance.... there's more types of cable to compare with, but personally
>> I like the Belden H-1000, double-shielded with copper braid and foil,
>> all for a reasonable cost....
>> You simply just don't use 100m RG174 at GHz frequencies :-)
>
> what type of antenna are you using for 2.8GHz?

[tg]

"Brian Kals" > wrote in message
k...

> If you want to learn about satellites signals and antennas for it,
> you should visit www.uhf-sat.com

'The page cannot be displayed'

[Brian Kals]

"tg" > skrev i en meddelelse
...
>
> "Brian Kals" > wrote in message
> k...
>
>> If you want to learn about satellites signals and antennas for it,
>> you should visit www.uhf-sat.com
>
> 'The page cannot be displayed'

Sorry about that TG, its www.uhf-satcom.com

Regards
Brian

[alexander.keys1]

On Feb 26, 11:49 am, "Greg" > wrote:
> >> I'm a newbie upgrading to a 3GHz scanning system so I'm no looking round for recommedations and feedback on antennas that perform
> >> up to 3GHz. I would rather spend extra for a professional level antenna than go for a cheaper option. The AOR DA5000 looks good
> >> but I'd appreciate any tips before I start shelling out money. I'm currently scanning with a D130 discone which works well but it
> >> only goes up to 1300MHz. Thanks for any advice.
>
> > You will be lucky if you pick up ANYTHING worth listening to above 400Mhz
> > R
>
> There's alot around 400-500 as steve terry said in his reply,
> and around 800-1000 there's alot of analogue repeaters,
> shortrange stereo wireless/headphone, and cordless phones

Also there are point-to-point links above 1000MHz, used between base
stations and hilltop radio sites. You can spot these on masts by the
horizontal plastic tubes pointing outwards, these contain a long Yagi.
The small elements for these wavelengths are more affected by wind &
rain, hence the protective tube.

AFAIK these carry plain FM voice if it's a single-channel link, multi-
channels using subcarriers also exist.

[You]

In article
>,
"alexander.keys1" > wrote:

> On Feb 26, 11:49 am, "Greg" > wrote:
> > >> I'm a newbie upgrading to a 3GHz scanning system so I'm no looking round
> > >> for recommedations and feedback on antennas that perform
> > >> up to 3GHz. I would rather spend extra for a professional level antenna
> > >> than go for a cheaper option. The AOR DA5000 looks good
> > >> but I'd appreciate any tips before I start shelling out money. I'm
> > >> currently scanning with a D130 discone which works well but it
> > >> only goes up to 1300MHz. Thanks for any advice.
> >
> > > You will be lucky if you pick up ANYTHING worth listening to above 400Mhz
> > > R
> >
> > There's alot around 400-500 as steve terry said in his reply,
> > and around 800-1000 there's alot of analogue repeaters,
> > shortrange stereo wireless/headphone, and cordless phones
>
> Also there are point-to-point links above 1000MHz, used between base
> stations and hilltop radio sites. You can spot these on masts by the
> horizontal plastic tubes pointing outwards, these contain a long Yagi.
> The small elements for these wavelengths are more affected by wind &
> rain, hence the protective tube.
>
> AFAIK these carry plain FM voice if it's a single-channel link, multi-
> channels using subcarriers also exist.

Actually, Most of these antennas you describe are Circularly Polarized,
Helix antennas, inside the RayDomes.

[Percy Picacity]

You > wrote in
:



>
> Actually, Most of these antennas you describe are Circularly
> Polarized, Helix antennas, inside the RayDomes.

I thought it was "radomes", from radar.

--
Percy Picacity