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Homemade Low-Band Scanner Antenna

Listening in on police, fire and emergency service communications, scanners are a great source of information. Scanners also tap into ham radio and marine frequencies, keeping you up-to-date on the newest events as they happen in real time. Creating an antenna to serve the scanner's low band involves making a J-pole antenna using simple wiring and tools.

Things You'll Need

6 feet of twin-lead 300 ohm wire
RG-59 coaxial cable
Coaxial strippers
Wire snips
Soldering iron
Lead-free solder
Electrical tape

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a 3-inch section of coaxial cable using the snips, leaving the connector end intact.
- 2
  Strip 1-inch of outer insulation from the bare end of the coaxial cable, exposing the center copper conductor and inner shield.
- 3
  Twist the shield into a tight pigtail. Solder the copper center conductor to one of the bare wires of the twin lead cable. Solder the shield to the other conductor, ensuring the two remain isolated after attaching.
- 4
  Cut a 1-centimeter-wide notch in the side of the twin lead cable, 15 inches from the solder connection on the shield side.
- 5
  Fold the soldered connections against the jacket of the twin lead wire. Wrap the bare leads in electrical tape, ensuring the two leads remain separate.

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