I'm about to retro fit a residential TV tower antenna into my new SW
antenna. I would also like to use it for my scanner on it as well. Just a
couple of questions:

1. The first I need to get is the actual antenna to mount. Can I use the
same antenna for my SW and scanner or do I need two different
configurations?
2. If I was go to my local Radio Shack and pick out a new SW antenna,
which one would I look for? I know this particular question is quite broad,
but what I'm looking for is a good antenna array that does not require too
much 'fuss' to install.
3. Grounding the tower itself. Would a 4 foot grounding rod be enough,
or should I look for a longer rod?

Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

"Macman" wrote in
:

I'm about to retro fit a residential TV tower antenna into my new SW
antenna. I would also like to use it for my scanner on it as well.
Just a couple of questions:



1. The first I need to get is the actual antenna to mount. Can I
use the same antenna for my SW and scanner or do I need two different
configurations?

Not likely, vastly different frequencies.


2. If I was go to my local Radio Shack and pick out a new SW
antenna, which one would I look for? I know this particular question
is quite broad, but what I'm looking for is a good antenna array that
does not require too much 'fuss' to install.

Do you want an omni-directional or directional antenna? Most people use
omni-directional antennas. The antenna uniformly gathers signals from all
directions. A directional antenna usually requires a rotor to spin the
antenna. They'll be an increase in signal level from some signals while
other will be decreased, depending on the direction that the antenna is
aimed.


3. Grounding the tower itself. Would a 4 foot grounding rod be
enough, or should I look for a longer rod?

I saw an article on grounding HAM antennas, with a disclaimer of the need
to adequately sink the grounding rod. The author of the article claimed
that he actually saw rods that were blown from the ground during a
lightning strike. He said that the water in the ground had instantly
turned to steam, and the steam served as the driving force for driving
the rods out. Electrically speaking, usually the deeper the better. More
than one will also offer more protection, perhaps another poster can
comment on the feasibility of multiple rods. Always be aware of driving
rods concerning underground wiring, water and sewage pipes, etc.


Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.


Regards.


--
Never say never.
Nothing is absolute.

Thought about just that after I posted. Definately omni-directional.



2. If I was go to my local Radio Shack and pick out a new SW
antenna, which one would I look for? I know this particular question
is quite broad, but what I'm looking for is a good antenna array that
does not require too much 'fuss' to install.

Do you want an omni-directional or directional antenna? Most people use
omni-directional antennas. The antenna uniformly gathers signals from all
directions. A directional antenna usually requires a rotor to spin the
antenna. They'll be an increase in signal level from some signals while
other will be decreased, depending on the direction that the antenna is
aimed.

Found this little guy on the RS web site. As I stated earlier, I want to be
able to use my scanner and SW radio's and this this antenna looks like it is
able to handle both.

Outdoor Scanner/Ham Discone Antenna Model: 20-043

Any pros/cons with using a dual purpose antenna like this one?

"Macman" wrote in news:C7ydnTKbRYyq4BSiU-
:

Look he http://www.durhamradio.com/scanacc.htm

I have the model ST-2, or at least so one identical to it. I bought it at
Radio Shack years ago.

I'd be curious if anyone has had experience with the ST-2 versus the
Discone antennas.

Regards



Model: 20-043



--
Never say never.
Nothing is absolute.

You need two different antennas: one for shortwave, and one for the scanner
because of the difference in frequencies.

I would get something other than what Radio Shack offers for scanning. I had
a Radio Shack discone and wasn't impressed with its performance or its
durability. We get some ferocious storms here in the Fall and Winter. I had
a RS Discone, and come Spring when I could get to the antenna to check it
and do any maintanence, discovered several radials missing, and two actually
bent by the force of the wind . The parts of the antenna come loose fairly
easilly, and over time, the performance is degraded. Other people here can
recommend a much better antenna for your scanner.

Short wave nominally extends from about 1.7 Mhz up to 30.0 Mhz; Vhf starts
at 30 Mhz and extends upward and then you enter the UHF region and beyond in
the case of a scanner.

For a receiving antenna to perform satisfactorilly, you need it to be at
least 1/4 wavelength long, and 1/2 wave is even better, but at shortwave
frequencies, this length can get to be considerable, compared to scanner
frequencies, where an antenna only needs to be a few inches long. So the
actual antenna can't be the same for shortwave as for scanners.

Lastly, I don't know how tall your tower is going to be, but in order to get
the most from your scanner antenna, use the best quality of coaxial cable to
connect it to your receiver, and make sure the connection to the antenna is
sealed very well to prevent water from getting in, otherwise your effort
will be wasted, becauseI would stay away from any antenna amplifiers for
your scanner because it can produce ghosting and other undesireable
artifiacts, unless you are really on the fringes of reception.

HTH mm

Excellent info Warp! That's exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for.
Thanks for the posting.




"Warpcore" wrote in message
ink.net...
You need two different antennas: one for shortwave, and one for the
scanner
because of the difference in frequencies.

I would get something other than what Radio Shack offers for scanning. I
had
a Radio Shack discone and wasn't impressed with its performance or its
durability. We get some ferocious storms here in the Fall and Winter. I
had
a RS Discone, and come Spring when I could get to the antenna to check it
and do any maintanence, discovered several radials missing, and two
actually
bent by the force of the wind . The parts of the antenna come loose fairly
easilly, and over time, the performance is degraded. Other people here can
recommend a much better antenna for your scanner.

Short wave nominally extends from about 1.7 Mhz up to 30.0 Mhz; Vhf starts
at 30 Mhz and extends upward and then you enter the UHF region and beyond
in
the case of a scanner.

For a receiving antenna to perform satisfactorilly, you need it to be at
least 1/4 wavelength long, and 1/2 wave is even better, but at shortwave
frequencies, this length can get to be considerable, compared to scanner
frequencies, where an antenna only needs to be a few inches long. So the
actual antenna can't be the same for shortwave as for scanners.

Lastly, I don't know how tall your tower is going to be, but in order to
get
the most from your scanner antenna, use the best quality of coaxial cable
to
connect it to your receiver, and make sure the connection to the antenna
is
sealed very well to prevent water from getting in, otherwise your effort
will be wasted, becauseI would stay away from any antenna amplifiers for
your scanner because it can produce ghosting and other undesireable
artifiacts, unless you are really on the fringes of reception.

HTH mm

"Warpcore" wrote in message
ink.net...
You need two different antennas: one for shortwave, and one for the
scanner
because of the difference in frequencies.

Not necessarily so.
[snip]
For a receiving antenna to perform satisfactorilly, you need it to be at
least 1/4 wavelength long, and 1/2 wave is even better, but at shortwave
frequencies, this length can get to be considerable, compared to scanner
frequencies, where an antenna only needs to be a few inches long. So the
actual antenna can't be the same for shortwave as for scanners.
[snip]
You definitely need the VHF/UHF antenna designed for its frequency bands but
it's amazing what can be picked up with a very short antenna on SW. Many
radios overload when connected to efficient antennas - too much antenna
picks up too much energy for the radio. Another consideration is
interference from devices in the house or nearby. Your recommendation for
the scanner antenna to be high and in the clear with good co-ax is also a
good recommendation for the SW antenna to minimise local interference. No
harm in connecting the scanner antenna to the SW radio - you may be
pleasantly surprised.

If you have the ideal radio, then, of course, the ideal antenna will make
the ideal combination. But it's a practical world filled with compromises
and trial and error.

Tom

I installed the RS discone on a mast at about 25 feet up, and I got
surprisingly good results on HF as well. It will help if you can get some
altitude on it. Since the discone isn't designed for HF, a horizontal
random wire would be better for SW listening, but the discone is not an
unreasonable compromise if you want a VHF/UHF scanner antenna as well. If
you're a serious SWLer, though, you'll may disappointed by the discone's
performance on HF.

- Doug


"Macman" wrote in message
...
Found this little guy on the RS web site. As I stated earlier, I want to
be
able to use my scanner and SW radio's and this this antenna looks like it
is
able to handle both.

Outdoor Scanner/Ham Discone Antenna Model: 20-043

Any pros/cons with using a dual purpose antenna like this one?

On hf the discone acts like a lump of metal. You would do just as well
hooking your leadin to a metal trash can.


"DougSlug" wrote in message
.net...
I installed the RS discone on a mast at about 25 feet up, and I got
surprisingly good results on HF as well. It will help if you can get some
altitude on it. Since the discone isn't designed for HF, a horizontal
random wire would be better for SW listening, but the discone is not an
unreasonable compromise if you want a VHF/UHF scanner antenna as well. If
you're a serious SWLer, though, you'll may disappointed by the discone's
performance on HF.

- Doug


"Macman" wrote in message
...
Found this little guy on the RS web site. As I stated earlier, I want
to
be
able to use my scanner and SW radio's and this this antenna looks like
it
is
able to handle both.

Outdoor Scanner/Ham Discone Antenna Model: 20-043

Any pros/cons with using a dual purpose antenna like this one?