Best Antenna for Receiving Airband on Hand-Held Scanner?

[NoahMcM]

Hi guys,

I just bought my first scanner, a Uniden UBC126AT, and I have to say that I'm rather disappointed with the reception I receive from Moorabbin Airport (a very busy metropolitan class D airport) just 5 kilometres away (as the crow flies). In fact, I'm not picking up the airport at all.

I'm sure it's got something to do with my antenna as I travelled to the base of the control tower itself and could hear all communications perfectly fine.

I'm wondering if I can increase my receiving abilities with a replacement antenna that is suitable for portable use. Something I don't have to stick on my roof.

Do you think this could improve my scanning ability? If so, which antenna would you recommend?

Thanks for any help in advance!

Noah

[Phantom]

Welcome to the forum!

Typically these transmissions are line of sight. The higher the better, failing that, a directional antenna may help

I would suggest an external antenna at a high location at your house to assist with receive capability.

[NoahMcM]

Welcome to the forum!

Typically these transmissions are line of sight. The higher the better, failing that, a directional antenna may help

I would suggest an external antenna at a high location at your house to assist with receive capability.

Thanks! I'm thinking about getting a UBC355XLT in the future so I guess it could be worthwhile putting an antenna up. My main intention though is to just listen to air-band. Would you have any recommendations?

I also intend to use my scanner while plane-spotting but I'm worried that the comms may become unclear a few kilometres away from the control tower, say for example, at a larger airport. Do you have any recommendations for a replacement antenna I could plug into the scanner?

Thanks for the reply!

[Phantom]

My suggestion would be to ideally match an antenna to the band/freq that you are listening to. This generally gives the best result as it is matched.

Maybe you should go out and explore and see the limitations.

[chainz]

Get the Nagoya 771. Couple of bucks from eBay, it's great for airband.

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[NoahMcM]

Get the Nagoya 771. Couple of bucks from eBay, it's great for airband.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

Hi Chainz!

I figured I'd do what Phantom suggested and go out and explore the possibilities.

I did a bit of research and concluded that the Diamond SRH77CA would be a good start -- but hey, I know almost nothing about scanning!

I couldn't find an Australian store that stocked these so I ended up purchasing one from The States on eBay for about $100 (including shipping).

How would you say the Diamond SRH77CA stacks up against the Nagoya 771?

Thanks!

[chainz]

I would say that you have just wasted your money. The Nagoya 771 is the same thing. Sure the Nagoya is a knock off but it would have been perfect and it works amazingly well

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[NoahMcM]

I would say that you have just wasted your money. The Nagoya 771 is the same thing. Sure the Nagoya is a knock off but it would have been perfect and it works amazingly well

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Whoops! I was actually looking at the Nagoya 771 but the endless warnings on the web about fakes really turned me off.

If the Nagoya is as much of a rip-off as you say, surely the Diamond will perform just as well if not marginally better?

[chainz]

The Nagoya will perform just as good and only cost you 5 bucks including shipping

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[NoahMcM]

The Nagoya will perform just as good and only cost you 5 bucks including shipping

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Well I might end up getting one anyway as I have just realised that my scanner (a Uniden UBC126AT) has a BNC antenna connector and the antenna I just bought has an SMA male connector. Is there some sort of converter I can get to bridge them together?

[chainz]

There are. But up to you, If you want to spend 100 on something thats gonna be the same as something that cost 5 bucks, go for it

[Vkfour]

The Nagoya antenna will probably cost a little more than $5.00, and adapters are a few dollars from Jaycar. I used a similar set up on a Yaesu scanner some years ago.

[chainz]

Nope. They range from 5 to about 15 bucks.

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[y164]

They now cost $93! https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/14536193087 ... noEALw_wcB
Regards