Thinking of picking one of these up for scanning purposes but I'm worried it won't be able to pick up my local MARCs/trunking p25 systems. Would you happen to know how well it would handle those frequencies?
Stu, I've been using discones for many years, and some have been out in the weather for years at a time; one more than 10 years continuous. After being exposed to considerable weather they can be just a bit harder to disassemble. So, as a pointer, I've found it advisable to leave the threaded disk and cone rod threads backed off 1/2 - 1 turn. The jam-nuts take care of any vibration/loosening concerns and after weathering, having that extra bit of thread play has seemed to make disassembly easier. However, I've never used anti-seize/anti-gall lubricants on things before and I'm starting to do that now; this may make a difference after years of weathering. For your intended frequent transport usage I would not suggest using such products as they tend to rub off on everything and get messy. I agree, discones are handy, and when I was in a HOA having a single antenna to hide in a tree gave me lots of available bands and it was not so difficult to hide just a single antenna. 73, Warren - K6WKW
I’m using the Diamond D3000N Super Discone rated 25 MHz to 3 GHz. It’s a great match for my ICOM IC-R8600 receiver that also covers through 3 GHz. It can also be used for transmitting depending on frequency and power. For the frequencies that I have tested (2M, 220, 432, 900, and 1.2 GHz) the SWR is under 1.6:1. It hears surprisingly well. WA6EJO
Stu, thanks for another fact-filled video. I have a Tram 1411 Scanner 25MHz-1,300MHz VHF/UHF Super Discone Base Antenna mounted directly on a metal mast. It has never been a good receiver. I saw you had your discone mounted on a PVC support tube which connected to the mast. Do you think I would have better reception if I used a support PVC tube clamped to another metal or PVC mast? 73, Robert KM6RSS
The center top long element is for 6 meters but will need adjustment probably In you video you did not show the SWR for all the other bands that its designed for 25 mhz to 1300 could you reply to my comment I am setting up a recieve system for any signal any band all rf digital or analog. You will get better transmit signal with colinear antenna but this saves you money. I'm a disabled USMC vet that can't work but tinkers all day with my radios 73 AA4CP Fort Pierce FL on the beach
ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A PORTABLE ANTENNA. SO DONT BASE YOUR OPINION ON WEATHER OR NOT IT IS EASY TO MAKE PORTABLE OR NOT.. YOU REALLY MAKE YOURSELF SOUND DUMB BY DOING SO.. USE IT FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE AND YOU WILL BE MUCH HAPPIER.. IT IS A RECIEVE ONLY BASE STATION ANTENNA, THAT HAS TRANSMIT CAPABILITIES AS A BONUS.
Hi Empire Outdoors, Your comment gives me a bit of a chuckle... I fully disclose the fact that it was not designed as a "portable antenna" and also comment a few times to that fact. I think your definition of portable and mine is slightly different as the portable deployments I typically do are EMCOMM based or setting up comm stations in metropolitan areas. If I was hill topping for SOTA or doing 1 or 2 hour deployments I wouldn't even consider an antenna like this. As for your comment that "IT IS A RECIEVE ONLY BASE STATION ANTENNA, THAT HAS TRANSMIT CAPABILITIES AS A BONUS" Many times when you are setting up backup communications for an IC you have a stable source of power, but your remote stations do not. The fact that it has great receive capabilities is a plus. The fact that it will handle up to 200W is a real plus. Anyways, sorry you didn't enjoy the video... Stu AG6AG
Great job on the video thanks! I see they have a smaller discone too on their website.
Thanks for the video! Would be interested in the SWR readings on 26/27mhz if you have them handy.
Thinking of picking one of these up for scanning purposes but I'm worried it won't be able to pick up my local MARCs/trunking p25 systems. Would you happen to know how well it would handle those frequencies?
Good scanner antenna dont bother with tx on it though
Stu, I've been using discones for many years, and some have been out in the weather for years at a time; one more than 10 years continuous. After being exposed to considerable weather they can be just a bit harder to disassemble. So, as a pointer, I've found it advisable to leave the threaded disk and cone rod threads backed off 1/2 - 1 turn. The jam-nuts take care of any vibration/loosening concerns and after weathering, having that extra bit of thread play has seemed to make disassembly easier. However, I've never used anti-seize/anti-gall lubricants on things before and I'm starting to do that now; this may make a difference after years of weathering. For your intended frequent transport usage I would not suggest using such products as they tend to rub off on everything and get messy. I agree, discones are handy, and when I was in a HOA having a single antenna to hide in a tree gave me lots of available bands and it was not so difficult to hide just a single antenna. 73, Warren - K6WKW
I’m using the Diamond D3000N Super Discone rated 25 MHz to 3 GHz. It’s a great match for my ICOM IC-R8600 receiver that also covers through 3 GHz. It can also be used for transmitting depending on frequency and power. For the frequencies that I have tested (2M, 220, 432, 900, and 1.2 GHz) the SWR is under 1.6:1. It hears surprisingly well. WA6EJO
Thanks for the comment Steve,
Very cool antenna. Plan to try it at an event to see how it does.
Stu
AG6AG
Looks similar to the "Scan king HF Discone" antenna
Stu, thanks for another fact-filled video. I have a Tram 1411 Scanner 25MHz-1,300MHz VHF/UHF Super Discone Base Antenna mounted directly on a metal mast. It has never been a good receiver. I saw you had your discone mounted on a PVC support tube which connected to the mast. Do you think I would have better reception if I used a support PVC tube clamped to another metal or PVC mast? 73, Robert KM6RSS
My 1411 is mounted directly to a metal tube mast and works great on 11 meters. It's about 20 feet off the ground
The center top long element is for 6 meters but will need adjustment probably
In you video you did not show the SWR for all the other bands that its designed for 25 mhz to 1300 could you reply to my comment I am setting up a recieve system for any signal any band all rf digital or analog.
You will get better transmit signal with colinear antenna but this saves you money. I'm a disabled USMC vet that can't work but tinkers all day with my radios
73 AA4CP
Fort Pierce FL
on the beach
thanks, great job 73 from kb2uew
Many thanks!
Stu
AG6AG
ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A PORTABLE ANTENNA. SO DONT BASE YOUR OPINION ON WEATHER OR NOT IT IS EASY TO MAKE PORTABLE OR NOT.. YOU REALLY MAKE YOURSELF SOUND DUMB BY DOING SO.. USE IT FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE AND YOU WILL BE MUCH HAPPIER..
IT IS A RECIEVE ONLY BASE STATION ANTENNA, THAT HAS TRANSMIT CAPABILITIES AS A BONUS.
Hi Empire Outdoors,
Your comment gives me a bit of a chuckle... I fully disclose the fact that it was not designed as a "portable antenna" and also comment a few times to that fact. I think your definition of portable and mine is slightly different as the portable deployments I typically do are EMCOMM based or setting up comm stations in metropolitan areas. If I was hill topping for SOTA or doing 1 or 2 hour deployments I wouldn't even consider an antenna like this.
As for your comment that "IT IS A RECIEVE ONLY BASE STATION ANTENNA, THAT HAS TRANSMIT CAPABILITIES AS A BONUS" Many times when you are setting up backup communications for an IC you have a stable source of power, but your remote stations do not. The fact that it has great receive capabilities is a plus. The fact that it will handle up to 200W is a real plus.
Anyways, sorry you didn't enjoy the video...
Stu
AG6AG
Is this what happens when you don’t match the FEED POINT TO YOUR KEYBOARD accurately?
GREAT as a frequency monitoring antenna for the full range the antenna was designed. KN6CKG