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Technical Topics => Equipment => Topic started by: NJQA on September 26, 2020, 1252 UTC

Title: Scanner beam
Post by: NJQA on September 26, 2020, 1252 UTC
These might make good scanner antennas (mount for vertical polarization).  In bulk, they are $12 each and have a Type F connector.

https://www.mtcradio.com/case-of-ten-hdtv-outdoor-antenna-vhf-uhf-16pleg-element-hi-gain-log-periodic-design/

They remind me of the scanner beam that Grove sold many years ago.
Title: Re: Scanner beam
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on September 26, 2020, 1336 UTC
Interesting. Nice potential for a group buy, but not sure how expensive re-shipping each antenna would be.

OTOH I guess you could install a bunch of them aimed in different directions, and select which one to use, as a reviewer did.

Looks like you can get two for $38 shipped https://www.mtcradio.com/buy-one-get-one-free-hdtv-outdoor-antenna-vhf-uhf-16-element-hi-gain-log-periodic-design/
Title: Re: Scanner beam
Post by: NJQA on September 26, 2020, 1421 UTC
The mounting hardware it comes with directly supports horizontal or vertical mounting, so nothing needs to be drilled.
Title: Re: Scanner beam
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on September 26, 2020, 1448 UTC
Looks like they're also being sold on eBay for $25 each, shipped https://www.ebay.com/i/233400693902

I found that listing while trying to find some dimensional info on the antenna, which I still have not found.
Title: Re: Scanner beam
Post by: ThaDood on September 26, 2020, 1900 UTC
Or, find a trashed TV antenna on a curb-side, junk store, or even a dumpster, and drill-out the holes in the boom to make it VERT, for next to nothing. Yeah... I'm that cheap, but this does work. Even some successful TV antenna MOD's for 6M, 2M, 222MHz, and 432MHz, Amateur Radio RX / TX.
Title: Re: Scanner beam
Post by: NJQA on September 27, 2020, 1753 UTC

I found that listing while trying to find some dimensional info on the antenna, which I still have not found.

The dimensions (within an inch or so):

Boom length = 48 inches

Widest elements = 16 x 2 = 32 inches

Narrowest elements = 2 x 2 = 4 inches
Title: Re: Scanner beam
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on September 27, 2020, 1805 UTC
Thanks for the dimensions!
Title: Re: Scanner beam
Post by: Evil Elvis on September 28, 2020, 1754 UTC
Not looked into that antenna at all, but it is advertised as a Log Periodic which would be much different than a normal Yagi.

They are also offering buy one get one free https://www.mtcradio.com/buy-one-get-one-free-hdtv-outdoor-antenna-vhf-uhf-16-element-hi-gain-log-periodic-design/ (https://www.mtcradio.com/buy-one-get-one-free-hdtv-outdoor-antenna-vhf-uhf-16-element-hi-gain-log-periodic-design/)

Ordered a 'buy one get one free' for 25$ shipped via eBay. Have a few old TV rotators to play with.
Title: Re: Scanner beam
Post by: ChrisSmolinski on September 29, 2020, 1256 UTC
Not looked into that antenna at all, but it is advertised as a Log Periodic which would be much different than a normal Yagi.

They are also offering buy one get one free https://www.mtcradio.com/buy-one-get-one-free-hdtv-outdoor-antenna-vhf-uhf-16-element-hi-gain-log-periodic-design/ (https://www.mtcradio.com/buy-one-get-one-free-hdtv-outdoor-antenna-vhf-uhf-16-element-hi-gain-log-periodic-design/)

Ordered a 'buy one get one free' for 25$ shipped via eBay. Have a few old TV rotators to play with.

What's the URL for the BOGOF for $25 shipped via eBay?  I see BOGOF on their site for $25.99 + $12 shipping, and one on eBay for $25 shipped. 
Title: Re: Scanner beam
Post by: KandiKlover on September 13, 2024, 1130 UTC
Interesting. Nice potential for a group buy, but not sure how expensive re-shipping each antenna would be.

OTOH I guess you could install a bunch of them aimed in different directions, and select which one to use, as a reviewer did.

Looks like you can get two for $38 shipped https://www.mtcradio.com/buy-one-get-one-free-hdtv-outdoor-antenna-vhf-uhf-16-element-hi-gain-log-periodic-design/

Or also point them all in the same direction and have one hell of a phased array. Like Japanese EME hams do on 2 meters.
Title: Re: Scanner beam
Post by: Robot Matrix on January 22, 2025, 0659 UTC
Or, find a trashed TV antenna on a curb-side, junk store, or even a dumpster, and drill-out the holes in the boom to make it VERT, for next to nothing. Yeah... I'm that cheap, but this does work. Even some successful TV antenna MOD's for 6M, 2M, 222MHz, and 432MHz, Amateur Radio RX / TX.

This definitely works! The TV antennas are just log periodic antennas oriented horizontally. Nothing stopping you from making it a vertical.