Car top scanner antenna

[Josh]

Lately I've been looking into buying an antenna with a magnetic base that I can use with my radio shack scanner. Any suggestions?

[hoborich]

I use a CB antenna with a magnetic base and an adapter. It's not quite made for railroad frequencies, but it sure improves the reception over the little rubber ducky on the radio. The only difference in antennas is that they are cut to different lengths for different frequencies. But anything bigger than the little rubber antenna on the scanner will improve it greatly.

[conrailmike]

I have the Traintenna - http://www.dpdproductions.com/page_trai ... ttmobile58 and it works excellent, I can't compare it to the other available antennas out there but it does get great reception.

[railohio]

Get a 2m band amateur/ham radio antenna with a BNC connector. Should be in the neighborhood of $25-30 for a cheap one.

[cbehr91]

Here ya go. http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.p ... =MFJ-1724B

This is the antenna I use and it picks up great! I got it for $24.95 at Universal Radio, a local ham radio shop. And if you leave it up all the time like I do it holds up to the elements pretty well. They even give you a free BNC adapter.

[Mr. Tops]

I ordered my traintenna about a week ago and nothing yet...no order confirmation or anything. Bought a new base scanner for the car from scanner master and had prompt service along with very reasonable prices. Now just waiting on the antenna. Railroad frequencies are best received on a 17 inch antenna rod (it may be a more exact number to the tenth?). I used to have a home made one I made from a radio shack cb antenna that I cut down to 17 inches. If the folks who make the traintenna get their act together and get me my antenna, I may order an indoor antenna for the house scanner...

[Josh]

Ok thanks for all the help! Another question realating to scanners, several months ago I ran into an older railfan (don't remember his name) in Lapeer who like me, and most railfans, had a scanner. He told me that you needed a permit to carry it in a vehicle and even showed me his (don't remember all the details). Now i've been using a scanner for quite a while and have never herd of this. Can anyone confirm? Or maybe happen to be the guy I ran into that day? I would hate to have the cops called on me for a place I was watching trains from and then get in more trouble for not having one of these.

[cbehr91]

Ok thanks for all the help! Another question realating to scanners, several months ago I ran into an older railfan (don't remember his name) in Lapeer who like me, and most railfans, had a scanner. He told me that you needed a permit to carry it in a vehicle and even showed me his (don't remember all the details). Now i've been using a scanner for quite a while and have never herd of this. Can anyone confirm? Or maybe happen to be the guy I ran into that day? I would hate to have the cops called on me for a place I was watching trains from and then get in more trouble for not having one of these.

There is a scanner law in Indiana that goes largely unenforced. I've never known of anybody getting pulled over or hassled for having a scanner in their car or on their person. I think if you're committing a crime and you're found with a scanner in your possession, then you'll get an additional penalty, but other than that, the "scanner law" goes largely unenforced. The "permit" you may be referring to is a ham radio license. If you have one of those then you can legally carry a scanner in your car.

[sd70accsxt700]

Michigan used to have that law, but it was changed a few years ago, to where if you are not commiting a criminal actavity you can have it in the car now.

[Jochs]

Michigan used to have that law, but it was changed a few years ago, to where if you are not commiting a criminal actavity you can have it in the car now.

There is a scanner law in Indiana, but the last time I went through a police roadblock near Elkhart, they didn't say a word about my scanner, they just made sure I was sober. For awhile, the Elkhart Co. Police were setting up sobriety checkpoints and stopping everyone. I haven't seen them in awhile. I have been through 3, and the last time, I forgot to put my scanner away when I saw the police checkpoint ahead, but it didn't matter.

[hoborich]

The Michigan scanner law was changed in November 2006. No permits are needed now. However if you use a scanner in the commission of a crime, it is a felony, in addition to whatever crime you commit. Prior to that permits were available from the state police for anyone not convicted of a felony, but almost nobody bothered to get one.

[TrainWatcher]

I like the standard one from RadioShack. There are some days that I have been in Romulus and picking up Toledo East clear as a bell. Normal range for me is 20 miles.

[GreatLakesRailfan]

I use the radioshack version. Took out a section or two and it not only improved the reception, the antenna stopped flying off the car in the highway! Its a lot better than nothing, especially when you're on the road.

[conrailmike]

I haven't had any trouble with the Traintenna staying on the car, and I routinely travel upwards of 80mph on the freeway.

[Josh]

I ordered my traintenna about a week ago and nothing yet...no order confirmation or anything. Bought a new base scanner for the car from scanner master and had prompt service along with very reasonable prices. Now just waiting on the antenna. Railroad frequencies are best received on a 17 inch antenna rod (it may be a more exact number to the tenth?). I used to have a home made one I made from a radio shack cb antenna that I cut down to 17 inches. If the folks who make the traintenna get their act together and get me my antenna, I may order an indoor antenna for the house scanner...

I'm going to order a traintenna but before i do, did you end up getting yours?

[Huelsy'sTrainBlog]

I'm going to order a traintenna but before i do, did you end up getting yours?[/quote]

I am going to order it as soon as I get my tax returns back so about a week or two. If it works half as good as they say it does I will be happy!

[Mr. Tops]

I ordered my traintenna about a week ago and nothing yet...no order confirmation or anything. Bought a new base scanner for the car from scanner master and had prompt service along with very reasonable prices. Now just waiting on the antenna. Railroad frequencies are best received on a 17 inch antenna rod (it may be a more exact number to the tenth?). I used to have a home made one I made from a radio shack cb antenna that I cut down to 17 inches. If the folks who make the traintenna get their act together and get me my antenna, I may order an indoor antenna for the house scanner...

I'm going to order a traintenna but before i do, did you end up getting yours?

Yes! Not long after I wrote that message, I ended up getting it via UPS. No correspondence from them...no order confirmation, receipt, tracking number; so I was unsure if the order went throught. I was quite surprised when it showed up as quick as it did. Picking up a whole lot. Seem to be getting about 20 miles of reception as far as picking up engine radios. Of course, it depends on where you are, where they are and what's in between you (ie trees, buildings, hills/mountains). Handhelds vary, most only have a few mile transmission capability anyhow. Dispatchers, you can hear them talking to trains you'll never see...

[Josh]

Alright thank you for all of your help I will be buying mine when I get home today!