Improving the reception of your Whistler Police Scanner Car setup often involves upgrading from the basic antenna. Many users start with a handheld scanner and its stock rubber duck antenna, finding it adequate for initial use. However, when transitioning to a mobile unit in your vehicle, the question arises: how to maintain or even improve that level of performance?
One user shared their experience of using a handheld scanner with a rubber duck antenna in their car with satisfactory results. Seeking to move to a dedicated mobile unit, they were looking for an antenna that could replicate the performance of their handheld setup. The consensus is generally positive: most external mobile antennas will likely offer at least comparable, if not better, performance than a rubber duck antenna used inside a car.
One practical and readily available solution suggested is to use a simple mobile antenna. These antennas, designed to be mounted externally on the vehicle, inherently provide a better signal than an internal antenna due to their placement and design. Even a basic mobile antenna moves the radiating element away from the car’s metal body, which can obstruct signals.
Another clever and easily implemented option involves using an RS800 antenna with a few feet of coaxial cable and a BNC adapter. This setup allows you to suction-cup the RS800 antenna to a window, such as a rear passenger window in a two-door car. This method positions the antenna optimally, away from the vehicle’s frame, and can be a surprisingly effective temporary or semi-permanent solution. The user who suggested this even noted receiving signals from aircraft on 40.7FM a few miles away using this configuration, highlighting its decent performance.
While specific recommendations like R8000 were mentioned, the general advice points towards the effectiveness of even simple external antennas for car scanners. Whether you choose a dedicated mobile antenna or a DIY solution like the RS800 on a window, upgrading from a handheld rubber duck inside your whistler police scanner car is likely to yield improved reception and a better scanning experience.
