Product Test – 824-960, 13dBi, Terrawave Yagi Base Antenna

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Jonathan Higgins

Customer Scott Fleming wrote us a short e-mail about the 824-960, 13dBi, Terrawave Yagi Base Antenna

Written By Scott Fleming, KG4PBD

I wanted to take a moment to thank you and Scanner Master for your help in resolving my reception issues.

As you may recall, I purchased an HP-1 from Scanner Master and quickly discovered that the local P25 simulcast system was virtually un-monitorable from my home, due to severe multipath distortion. My location is mid-way between two simulcast sites for the Charlotte Mecklenburg P25 system. I ordered your 13dbi, Terrawave yagi antenna, along with 50′ of LMR-400 coax. My plan was to aim the yagi at the closest site (Matthews), and see if that eliminated the multipath distortion.

My preference was to install the antenna in the attic. I found a good location near a gable-end facing the direction of the tower, and mounted the antenna on a short mast. I tested the coiled coax at the antenna location prior to installing the coax, and immediately saw a huge improvement.

Now that the installation is complete I have almost 100% consistent decode on the system, with very few distortion issues. Overall, it sounds great and I’m very pleased! Check out two pics showing the installation bellow.

Thank you for your time in helping me. I look forward to my next purchase from Scanner Master!

Product Test – Uniden Bearcat BC125AT

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Jonathan Higgins

By Jonathan Higgins – The Scanner Expert

Product Tested: Uniden Bearcat BC125AT
Cost of product: $139.95

Out of the box
I’m very impressed with the Uniden Bearcat BC125AT, everything I could ask for in a basic analog conventional scanner. Alpha Tagging, PL Tone, NOAA Weather Alerts, and much, much more!

Once programmed, I had great reception inside of our Holliston office. The speaker audio quality was clear and crisp. Unit is pretty light weight even with the batteries installed.

This scanner will be ideal for someone that in area using analog conventional communications . Also great for auto racing, railroad buff or aviation hobbyist.

What makes this scanner different from BC72XLT and BC95XT?
Uniden added a lot of features, that are available in the XT models.

ALPHA Tagging – you can program a frequency and assign a name to the channel such as:

Private Line Tone (PL Tone) along with programming the frequency you can program CTCSS or DCS. If you’re not sure what the PL Tone is you can do a CTCSS/DCS Search. This is very helpful with blocking interference.

Bigger Memory – 500 channels, 10 banks, 50 channels per bank.

NOAA Weather Alert Mode

Narrowband Compatibles

Includes Military Air Band

Priority Scan with “do-not-disturb”

Close Call RF Capture with Do-Not-Disturb

Design
BC125AT is very handsome in it black and gray case, with its easy to press black and white buttons. Very compact and can fit in a shirt pocket without a problem. The display is much larger then BC346XT/BCD396XT, and super easy to read. Across the top of the scanner you have; multifunction knob at the top right, head set jack in the middle and BNC antenna connection on the left. Charging/ remote programming port on the right side. The back of the scanner you have the fixed belt clip and AA Alkaline/rechargeable battery compartment.

Memory System
Bank structured memory system with 500 channels, 10 banks with 50 channels per bank. The layout is very simple to understand for someone trying to field program the scanner.

Band Coverage
25-54 MHz
108-174 MHz
225-380 MHz
400-512 MHz

Service Searches
Very simple to turn off and on Press “Func” then “Srch”. The services are broken down into banks and you can turn them on and off by press it number. Let’s say you want to turn off “CB Radio” press the “8” button to turn it off and to turn it back on just press the “8” again. To return to normal scanning press the “Scan” button.

1. Police
2. Fire/Emergency
3. Ham Radio
4. Marine
5. Railroad
6. Civil Air
7. Military Air
8. CB Radio
9. FRS/GMRS/MURS
0. Racing

Custom Band Search
Band Searches, press “Srch” button, you can set up to 10 custom search band limits. While in this mode press “Func” then “Pgm” then Select “Program Limits”. You will have a list of 10 custom search bank.

Powering the Scanner
Very much like IPhone/IPod, the BC125AT comes with a multipurpose USB cable. This cable can connect to the PC for programming and firmware updates. This cable powers the scanner via a USB AC or USB DC adapter (Sold Separately). Rechargeable batteries can be charged inside the unit.

Programming Software
Programming software will be available from Uniden and from BuTel software shortly. Uniden Software will be very basic vs. the BuTel Software will more advanced. With the BuTel Software you will have capability to import frequencies from RadioReference.com with a paid Membership.

Weather “WX”
This compact unit is great for monitoring NOAA Weather radio. You can also receive NOAA Weather Alerts while the scanner is scanning. Or you can run the scanner in Weather Alerts Standby mode. In this mode the BC125AT will act as weather station, audio will kick-in with weather alerts. To see all weather options on the scanner press “Func” then the “3 WX” button.

In the Box

BC125AT

Rubber Duck Antenna

Multipurpose USB Cable

Owners Manual
(available online PDF)

Recommend Optional Accessories
Scanner Master is currently developing multiple carrying cases and we will keep you posted on that. We carry both optional AC USB and DC USB adapters, along with backup rechargeable batteries. We also have full line of portable antennas with BNC connections. If you plan on using the BC125AT in the home make sure you check out “Spectrum Force Desk Mount for One Portable Scanner“.

Product Test – GRE 800 MHz Rubber Antenna

Posted on May 19, 2010 by Jonathan Higgins

By Jonathan Higgins

Product Tested: GRE 800 MHz Rubber Antenna
Cost of product: $19.95

Looking to improve your reception on the 800MHz? Over the past month Scanner Expert Greg Jolly and I tried out the “GRE 800 MHz Rubber Antenna“. Not only did it improve on the 800MHz reception we saw improvement on VHF-Hi and UHF system as well. This antenna comes with BNC connection you can convert this to a SMA with an optional “SMA to BNC adapter” for Uniden units. For $19.95 you can’t go wrong with trying this antenna!

Product Spec:

800MHz Rubber Antenna
Straight design
7 inch size
BNC Connector

Product Test Ferret 8 Band Base Antenna

Posted on March 19, 2010 by Jonathan Higgins

By Jonathan Higgins

Spring is just around the corner, what better time to get a new antenna for your home or office.

The Product: Ferret 8 Band Base Antenna

Last September, my dad and I installed the Austin Ferret 8 Band Antenna at my home in Attleboro, Massachusetts. After about 2 hours, my new antenna was up and running. For this project we used 50’ LMR-400 Coax cable, 2’ wall mount bracket, 4 port multi coupler, two 3 foot jumper cables, and, two 50 RG-58 coax with BNC.

Installation

When mounting an antenna outside make sure your clear of any power lines, and never install antenna by yourself. Try to find the best route for the coax cable, make sure you measure the route and only allow a little extra. Rule of thumb, higher the antenna the shorter the coax is always the best.

We had to get a 2’ wall mount bracket two clear the roof overhang. Once the bracket was secured to the side of the house we then installed the antenna to the post using U-bolt brackets. After drilling 1 inch hole into the side of the house we ran the LMR-400 Coax into the 4 port multi coupler in my hobby room. In my hobby room I have Uniden BCD996T and the classic Uniden BC780XLT, hook up both scanner to the multi coupler via the 3’ foot jumpers. The remaining two ports were used for scanners in the living room and master bedroom connected via the two 50’ RG-58 Coax cable.

Reception Test

In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, most of the public safety is using VHF High Band or UHF. I was amazed by the reception. I was able to pick up UHF systems for 15 to 30 miles away without a problem, and as for the VHF, about 30+ miles away. In Massachusetts, the State Police are on an analog 800MHz trunking system. I was able to pick up the local site with ease and neighboring sites up to 20 miles away. I found that the height of the Ferret really brings in the VHF Low Band without a problem.

If you’re a Railroad buff like me, this is the antenna for you. Being in Attleboro along the Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor there is a lot of active on AAR Channel 54 160.9200 Mhz. With this antenna I’m able hear more of the communications between the dispatch and train, since most railroad systems are line of sight without a repeater a great antenna is key.

Overall

With almost 20 years of experience, I have to say this is one of the best roof top antennas I have ever used. If you decide on the Austin Ferret, make sure you get high quality coax cable like the LMR-400. The coax cable is just as important as the antenna to get the ultimate performance.

Details about the Ferret…

All band omnidirectional antenna covering the following bands – 30-50/88-108/121/146/150-174/225-400/806-896/1.2 Ghz. The Ferret is in-case in 8 foot fiberglass tube protecting all of the elements for the eight bands

Recommend Coax for the Austin Ferret:
The LMR-400 is the best coax on the market for roof top antenna installations
LMR-400 Coax Cable, 25′, N Male to BNC Male
LMR-400 Coax Cable, 50′, N Male to BNC Male
LMR-400 Coax Cable, 75′, N Male to BNC Male
LMR-400 Coax Cable, 100′, N Male to BNC Male

Austin Antenna, a locally based company right here in New England, has been in business for the last 25 years. We carry the full Austin Antenna scanner product line; the Ferret, the Condor and the Spectra.

Product Test Uniden 4″ External Speaker

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Jonathan Higgins

By Jonathan Higgins

The Product: Uniden 4″ External Speakers

Do you have your eyes set on new base/mobile scanner? If you’re installing any base/mobile scanner in your car, trunk, home or office, please check out the Uniden 4” External Speaker. I have tried many speakers in my almost 20 years in this hobby and I have found this speaker to be one of the best. The speaker is black with Uniden’s signature paw print embossed on the speaker’s metal grill. Included in the box is the adjustable mounting bracket along with a 10 ft cold with a 1/8 (3.5mm) mono plug. You can expect high quality sound to be transmitted from this heavy duty external speaker.

Product Specs:

Speaker: 4″ Plastic Cone

Impedance: 8 Ohms

Maximum Power: 12 Watts

Wire: 10 ft. cord

Plug Type: 1/8″ (3.5mm Plug)

Frequency Response: 500Hz-5KHz

Includes ratchet type mounting bracket & hardware

Product Test WAN-97A Active Nomad Base Antenna

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Jonathan Higgins

By Jonathan Higgins

The Product: WAN-97A Active Nomad Base Antenna – Indoor Antenna

Are you living an apartment? We feel your pain, trying to find the right antenna, with the restrictions of apartment or condo living. Recently I was able to test the “WAN-97A Active Nomad Base Antenna”; I was amazed at the performance of this indoor antenna! Just hang this vertical antenna near a window or in attic and you will be amazed how much more you can hear. The WAN-97A has a built-in pre-amplifier that powered with four AA batteries or with optional external 12 Volt powers supply (Uniden AD-1009 AC Adapter).

Product Specs: