Hey all, I'm looking to buy a new portable scanner that picks up 400-500mHz. I have been to Radio Shack a couple of times and was curious if anyone else has a Radio Shack or Realistic brand mobile scanner. Any problems? Should I look else where, can anyone suggest a good mobile scanner at a low price? Whats the lowest any one has paid for a brand new scanner? I also have a Uniden BC248CLT Bearcat. I am just using a basic antenna right now and am looking to boost the reception,any suggestions, DIY or store bought, what has helped pick up signals?

thanks

I have owned several Realistic scanners both base and handheld units with no problems what so ever.

I have also repaired a few and most were due to owner abuse. One came to me FULL of acid and corrosion where the owner left cheap batteries in the H/H and the damn thing still worked.

Due to their cheap price and durability i have no hesitation in recommending a Realistic unit. But for serious scanning some lack a few top end functions, but if you know what you want from the unit then go for it.

As for you're aerial a discone will give great performance from around 25-1300Mhz in a 360 degree radius. If it's only 400-500Mhz you want then a 12db base station UHF CB aerial works great for that area.

But if you want to pull in signals from the next town then consider a directional high gain beam.

If you are not familiar with a discone they look like this...

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/2924.jpg (http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/2924.jpg)

A Yagi beam would certianly give you much better reception (if pointed in the correct direction). You could string up a dipole antenna or make a simple j-pole out of some twinlead.