Uniden USDS100 / SDS100 - What is the best Antenna to get better range?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Uniden USDS100 / SDS100 - What is the best Antenna to get better range?

Dazzer91

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#293527 28-Jan-2022 08:09

HI,

anyone have any good suggestion's as to the best antenna to get that may help increase pick up range for the USDS100 Uniden scanner?

Also is anyone able to pick up Manawatu / Levin Area Cops from the Wgtn Region when scanning, as they arent digital?

rscole86

4544 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#2857490 28-Jan-2022 08:25

I thought the Wellington analogue frequencies were linked to the Palmerston North channel?

Just find the nearest Wellington/Hutt/Mana channel to your location and you should be able to hear Palmerston North.

However, it's been years since I've bothered trying this, so I don't know if it's still working. I would assume so tho, otherwise Palmerston North staff travelling into Wellington would have no coverage if required

https://www.radiowiki.org.nz/index.php/Wellington_Region#Historic_Frequencies

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Dazzer91

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2857493 28-Jan-2022 08:27

ok, awesome as, thx heaps. will that be potentially piked up on the VHF or the UFH frequencies?

dukester

450 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#2857494 28-Jan-2022 08:29

The best thing to increase reception range for a scanner is an external antenna.

I have a friend who has one of those scanners, and I do to. With external antenna he can pick up Dunedin Police from Timaru, with standard whip antenna he can't.

SATTV

1347 posts

Uber Geek

#2857496 28-Jan-2022 08:30

Nice looking scanner.

An antenna for range wont have bandwidth so scanning from 25-520 MHz on something for range is impractical where are something for bandwidth wont give the range.

The police used to be on 150MHz or there abouts for the cars and 470 for the hand held radios if I recall ( been a long time )

The poorper in me would say use an old VHF TV antenna for VHF, point it to the repeater and you should be good ( assuming the signal can be gotten ).

I used to make J pole antenna for 2m and this was great for receiving police in the day.

Something like this is good, but directional.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/electronics-photography/radio-equipment/amateur-radio/listing/3441418989?rsqid=23a2d20b8ced4bf59e05c9da45dfd38c-001&bof=M3YtXRjH

Something like this is also good but omni directional.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/electronics-photography/radio-equipment/amateur-radio/listing/3446797308?rsqid=23a2d20b8ced4bf59e05c9da45dfd38c-001&bof=M3YtXRjH

Have fun.

I used to love listening on my scanner.

Cheers

John

I know enough to be dangerous

Dazzer91

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2857497 28-Jan-2022 08:30

ok nice, any recommendation of the best one to buy? external antenna?

Dazzer91

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2857499 28-Jan-2022 08:33

nice stuff, thx heaps

dukester

450 posts

Ultimate Geek

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Subscriber

#2857501 28-Jan-2022 08:41

Something like this works well

https://www.amazon.com/GRA-D220R-1200MHz-Wideband-Multiband-Vertical/dp/B07RSW12JP/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Outdoor+Scanner+Antenna&qid=1643312406&sr=8-4

SATTV

1347 posts

Uber Geek

#2857617 28-Jan-2022 10:49

dukester:

Something like this works well

https://www.amazon.com/GRA-D220R-1200MHz-Wideband-Multiband-Vertical/dp/B07RSW12JP/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Outdoor+Scanner+Antenna&qid=1643312406&sr=8-4

A discone antenna while wideband has zero gain, a yagi or collinear is better as they have less bandwidth but have some gain.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

Dazzer91

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2863238 7-Feb-2022 23:17

Can anyone here help with What channel / frequency Wgtn area Ambo uses?

I know they are digital but can only hear them somet....maybe someone has some tips?

I have a usds100 uniden
Thx