reception blues
 

Hi,



My geographical location is not very "radio-reception" optimal so I am
wondering what can improve my reception. I live relatively in a mild
depression surrounded by many trees.



I currently have an ICOM PCR-1000 and a Bearcat 180XL. On my chimney
(highest point) I have a "stick" antenna
(http://www.scanman.nl/N_art_235.html) connected via a 24 meter RG-58 coax
cable.



I must say when I use the Bearcat it seems to have better reception than the
ICOM.



So now I am looking to improve my reception. I generally listen in the 118-
500 Mhz ranges but nevertheless I would like to have a broad spectrum.



What would increase my reception and in what order would it be the most
beneficial?



New antenna ? (Diamond Discone?, active antenna?)

Amplifier?

New cable?

New connectors?

Etc?



Thanks,



Sven

"Sven" wrote in message
...
Hi,



My geographical location is not very "radio-reception" optimal so I am
wondering what can improve my reception. I live relatively in a mild
depression surrounded by many trees.



I currently have an ICOM PCR-1000 and a Bearcat 180XL. On my chimney
(highest point) I have a "stick" antenna
(http://www.scanman.nl/N_art_235.html) connected via a 24 meter RG-58 coax
cable.



I must say when I use the Bearcat it seems to have better reception than
the
ICOM.



So now I am looking to improve my reception. I generally listen in the
118-
500 Mhz ranges but nevertheless I would like to have a broad spectrum.



What would increase my reception and in what order would it be the most
beneficial?



New antenna ? (Diamond Discone?, active antenna?)

Amplifier?

New cable?

New connectors?

Etc?



Thanks,



Sven



My first suggestion would be to try a good discone antenna, assuming your
existing cable and connectors are in good shape.

James Sweet schrieb:


My first suggestion would be to try a good discone antenna, assuming your
existing cable and connectors are in good shape.

A discone is not the worst choice.
But a Diamond X-5000 is by far better.
For sure a good coax cable will help much too. The RG58 is nearly the
worst cable for VHF/UHF. Get at least RG-213 coax or -even better-
AirComm-Plus. This will increase gain drastically by 2-3 S-unit wich is
up to 10 times more of signal voltage reaching yot receiver.
Use N-Connectors on the cable and get a short adaptor cable to connect
to your receiver.

Hi,

What is the range of the Diamond X-5000?

In what way does it outperform a discone?

Most people promote the discone, but I am very interested in the Diamond
X-5000.

tx

"Volker Tonn" wrote in message
...


James Sweet schrieb:


My first suggestion would be to try a good discone antenna, assuming
your
existing cable and connectors are in good shape.

A discone is not the worst choice.
But a Diamond X-5000 is by far better.
For sure a good coax cable will help much too. The RG58 is nearly the
worst cable for VHF/UHF. Get at least RG-213 coax or -even better-
AirComm-Plus. This will increase gain drastically by 2-3 S-unit wich is
up to 10 times more of signal voltage reaching yot receiver.
Use N-Connectors on the cable and get a short adaptor cable to connect
to your receiver.

Sven schrieb:

Hi,

What is the range of the Diamond X-5000?


See the specs he
http://www.rigpix.com/antennas/diamond_x5000.htm

This antenna works _very_ well in receiving between the specified
TX-frequencies too!

In what way does it outperform a discone?

A discone has up to only 2dBi or less gain over its frequency coverage.
I met a ham who is specialised in VHF/UHF some weeks ago. He tried all
sorts of discones and verticals and stayed on the X-5000. It has as much
gain as a 3-6-element yagi or LDPA on the advantage beeing
omnidirectional, not needing a rotator.

In case you don't need/ want to receive above 500Mhz the X-50 should do
a fine job too.


Most people promote the discone, but I am very interested in the Diamond
X-5000.


I'm also saving some money to get one soon hopefully.
I have a good quality diamond discone too for years and I will do a
side-by-side comparison when I get the X-5000 in next spring.

So the range is identical to a discone? 50-1300 MHz ? I don't really
understand the band calculations.



"Volker Tonn" wrote in message
...


Sven schrieb:

Hi,

What is the range of the Diamond X-5000?


See the specs he
http://www.rigpix.com/antennas/diamond_x5000.htm

This antenna works _very_ well in receiving between the specified
TX-frequencies too!

In what way does it outperform a discone?

A discone has up to only 2dBi or less gain over its frequency coverage.
I met a ham who is specialised in VHF/UHF some weeks ago. He tried all
sorts of discones and verticals and stayed on the X-5000. It has as much
gain as a 3-6-element yagi or LDPA on the advantage beeing
omnidirectional, not needing a rotator.

In case you don't need/ want to receive above 500Mhz the X-50 should do
a fine job too.


Most people promote the discone, but I am very interested in the Diamond
X-5000.


I'm also saving some money to get one soon hopefully.
I have a good quality diamond discone too for years and I will do a
side-by-side comparison when I get the X-5000 in next spring.

Sven schrieb:
So the range is identical to a discone? 50-1300 MHz ? I don't really
understand the band calculations.

The 1:3 SWR bandwidth of the X-5000 is app. 80 to 1300Mhz.
The 23cm band is in the 1.2 Gigahertz range where the X-5000 works as a
5/8 antenna.

On Tue, 30 Nov 2004 23:32:18 +0100, Volker Tonn
said in alt.radio.scanner:

Sven schrieb:
So the range is identical to a discone? 50-1300 MHz ? I don't really
understand the band calculations.

The 1:3 SWR bandwidth of the X-5000 is app. 80 to 1300Mhz.

The "bandwidth" is actually 3 band coverage - 144-148 MHz, 440-450 MHz
and 1.2 GHz. An antenna like that is pretty deaf at all other
frequencies - it's a very NARROW-band antenna.

BTW, a discone doesn't really have gain - it's just a very wide band
interface between the cable and space.

Al Klein schrieb:

On Tue, 30 Nov 2004 23:32:18 +0100, Volker Tonn
said in alt.radio.scanner:


Sven schrieb:

So the range is identical to a discone? 50-1300 MHz ? I don't really
understand the band calculations.


The 1:3 SWR bandwidth of the X-5000 is app. 80 to 1300Mhz.


The "bandwidth" is actually 3 band coverage - 144-148 MHz, 440-450 MHz
and 1.2 GHz. An antenna like that is pretty deaf at all other
frequencies - it's a very NARROW-band antenna.

I have a nearby guy using that antenna. It has(!) sgnificant gain all
over a high quality discone from 80 to 1300Mhz.
This antenna WORKS very well on receiving VERY BROAD. On TX for sure it
is narrow for SWR 1:2 or better.


BTW, a discone doesn't really have gain - it's just a very wide band
interface between the cable and space.

You may tell us what _your_ definition of 'gain' is.
Every(!) piece of junk metal has a little bit of gain over an 'isotropic
radiator'.
A discone has about 1-2dBi and a 'narrowband' 1/2 wave dipole has
2,15dBi. Also gain allways increases when a antenna is mounted in the
right distance over real electrical ground.

On Sun, 05 Dec 2004 02:06:52 +0100, Volker Tonn
said in alt.radio.scanner:

I have a nearby guy using that antenna. It has(!) sgnificant gain all
over a high quality discone from 80 to 1300Mhz.

You work at an antenna farm? I'm jealous.

This antenna WORKS very well on receiving VERY BROAD.

A piece of wire works - how much actual gain it produces is another
matter.