Recommendations for airband antenna?

[tarbat]

I'm currently using a discone for airband reception on my UBC785XLT.  I realise I could probably get better performance with an antenna dedicated to the airbands (civilian(120) and military(300)).

So, any recommendations?  Antenna will be mounted in the loft.

[Cumulus]

Hi Tarbat,

I am using a Rhode & Schwarz HK001 which I obtained on the German Ebay. There is one listed now Item 350072003089. As with mine it requires a clean up and paint  job. A bargain at the moment with reasonable P&P for an item of this size.

http://www.rohde-schwarz.com/www/downcent.nsf/file/hk001_e.pdf/$file/hk001_e.pdf

For VHF I am using the Solid State Electronics SSE-BASE-128SJ with the Air Band Diplexer DIP2002.AB.EU

http://www.ssejim.co.uk/28-vhfairbandant.htm
http://www.ssejim.co.uk/38-dip2002abeu.htm

Coax used Ecoflex Aircell 7

http://www.diodecomms.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=29

Regards,

Peter

P.S. The Ebay seller also has the R&S HK002 which covers both air and marine VHF bands.

http://www.rohde-schwarz.com/www/downcent.nsf/file/hk012_e.pdf/$file/hk012_e.pdf

[BobR]

You wont go far wrong with one of these. I have it and swear by it.

Cheers.
BobR

http://www.ssejim.co.uk/28-vhfairbandant.htm

[cosmoc]

this is a great airband antenna for a fantastic price
i got this over a year ago. it gives you fantastic reception in side a house but outside the house mounted on the roof is were it really shines
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103641

[bailey_uk]

So the SSE-BASE-128SJ really is worth buying?

[tarbat]

Well, the SSE-BASE-128SJ is optimised for 118-138MHz.  So, if you're only listening to civilian aircraft, then it's fine.  However, if you listen to both civilian and military aircraft, then you'd need:
1. SSE-BASE-128SJ @ £77
2. SSE-BASE-125SJ @ £75
3. SSE-DIP2002 AB-EU @ £45.50
Total cost = £197.50, which was out of my price range.

I'm still researching into whether I would even get better reception with a dedicated airband (VHF+UHF) antenna rather than my discone.  Any other thoughts on that?

[bailey_uk]

Its just the 118-138 that im gioing to be listening to.

Is the RG-58 sufficient Coax over about 8m length?

[BobR]

I only really listen to the civvy side of things and I rate this both from the construction side and also the most important which is the performance.

[JMM]

I realize that this thread is many, many years old, but does anyone know if SSE (UK) is still in business?  I've been trying to contact them for many years, but have received no replies from them.

I've been trying to find a source where I can purchase one of their DIP2002-EU diplexers (I've seen a few slight variations of the part number).  In particular, I'm looking for the one that can be mounted outside for external use, and that comes with N connectors.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
John