Wideband Desktop Discone Antenna - 25 MHZ

Wideband Desktop Discone Antenna - 25 MHZ - 2000 MHz Coverage

Рет қаралды 115,291

3 жыл бұрын

Here we take a look at the Skyscan Desktop antenna with a rated frequency range of between 25 Mhz up to 2 Ghz. We test the antenna indoor and outdoors.
Purchase the indoor SDR antenna kit here:
www.moonraker.eu/indoor-sdr-a...
www.moonraker.eu/skyscan-desk...
VNA Plot of discone here:
drive.google.com/file/d/1sr6W...
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @techmindsofficial
Products used in my videos can be purchased through my Amazon storefront.
US ► www.amazon.com/shop/techminds
UK ► www.amazon.co.uk/shop/techminds
Support This Channel by becoming a Patreon.
My Patreon ► / techminds
My Twitter ► / techmindsyt
My Amazon ► www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/...
My PayPal ► www.paypal.me/mobiledev
Merch Store ► teespring.com/stores/techminds
If you enjoyed this video please help me out by subscribing and help me get to my next Milestone of 50,000 Subscribers!
Intro/Outro Music "Summer" - License certificate 1821842
www.bensound.com
#TechMinds #SDR #Discone

Пікірлер: 147

@dustinmcdermont699 3 жыл бұрын

Maybe you could do a follow-up video with a SWR sweep over various frequencies?

@TechMindsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

Check the video description, I posted a link to a VNA sweep :) 👌

@chrisplunkett2814 2 жыл бұрын

It's a receive only antenna,so no way of measuring SWR as you'd need to transmit through it to get these figures.

@dustinmcdermont699 2 жыл бұрын

@@chrisplunkett2814 that's not true, your nano VNA measures the resonant frequency of the antenna with a very low transmission of signal. The resonant frequency is the frequency at which an antenna receives or transmits, it doesn't matter. Also the tiny signal the nano vna puts out is in the milliwatts and wont blow a recieve only antenna.

@samuellourenco1050 Жыл бұрын

No real need for an SWR measurement, as this is just for receiving.

@mikea683 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent work dude! I'll pick one of these up!

@Scotscan 3 жыл бұрын

Nice antenna - always toyed with the idea of purchasing one of these. I use a Sirio S2000N here externally and that works really well over its frequency range of 100 - 2GHz.

@MrKeys57 2 жыл бұрын

I have this antenna mounted on my balcony, very pleased with it, i even pick up some HF frequencies! 73, Levi in Sweden

@ae1tpa92gwtom2 3 жыл бұрын

Discone antennas have very interesting wide band properties, this seems like a nice bit of kit, I use a Diamond discone, although a bit larger than the one profiled here, cheers, n yr videos are outstanding

@florentleider222 3 жыл бұрын

wide band...but no gain! I too own a Diamond discone, only useful for close communications (and more remote air com). Because I'm more interested in the 135-470 band and love in the deep country (few local transmissions), I built a log periodic antenna tailored for this band. Dramatic results (6-8 db gain / discone). Only weakness : somewhat directive.

@sammiller6631 Жыл бұрын

@@florentleider222 weakness? gain = directive. that's how gain works.

@mscir 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, well done!

@HaskellMoore 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent, helpful video!

@cactusland88 Жыл бұрын

I haven't tested this antenna but I love it's performance. I first heard of this antenna back in the '80's in Popular Communications Magazine. The Skyscan Desktop is now being marketed by Whistler here in the states.

@TechMindsOfficial Жыл бұрын

Definitely an interesting design for sure! One which will be around for many years to come.

@automotriztechnica 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful narration 💐👍

@ralph9987 2 жыл бұрын

Good test , Tha ka. To complete it, a hook up to the spectrum 600/1300 would have been gr8 to see where it actually resonates at.

@WelshLad. 3 жыл бұрын

Bought one off Amazon works pretty well on the roof of my car picking up from miles away.

@CanuckHam 3 жыл бұрын

Why does having a brittish guy say anything make the video 10x more interesting haha nice video de ve7kfx !

@DavidLopez-bz4rj 2 жыл бұрын

And having a great equalization also helps!

@mrtracing3292 11 ай бұрын

Ikr 👍

@stridermt2k 3 жыл бұрын

A discone if like awesome for SDRs.

@JediBuddhist 3 жыл бұрын

Great. Thanks ✨🙏

@raymondmartin6737 Жыл бұрын

I have the Whistler brand version for a couple of years, and it works quite well for scanning, and on the amateur vhf-uhf amateur radio bands here. Ray W2CH New Hampshire.

@dso2805 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@msgaltman3075 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. Very informative. I went to your Amazon storefront to purchase it, but I only see the Tram 1410. Is the Skyscan Desktop still available?

@10percent4DaBigGuy 2 жыл бұрын

this is cool!!!!!!!!!

@Subgunman 3 жыл бұрын

As an Rx only antenna one could possibly use it as QRP at less than 5watts. It would be worth a try. I have something along the same path that was made by Niljohn in the States some 20 years ago( they have been since acquired by a company that manufactures military multiband antennas) and it covers a wide range between 2meters all the way up to 800 MHz and can handle up to 50 watts. It consists of three "verticals" of different lengths set at 120° apart from each other and at about 30° off of the vertical axis. It is designed for mobile use although a bit crazy looking for the average ham antenna.

@christopherwilliams9936 3 жыл бұрын

Subgunman, I too have the Niljon Classic. It's mounted on the bonnet of my Jeep. It provides very good low earth orbit FM repeater satellite coverage as well as good terrestrial operations from the mobile. I just acquired its big brother the Niljon Ultra which sports six "verticals" of varied lengths set 60 degrees apart and also 30 degrees off the vertical axis. I bought the home station version with the required groundplane elements. It has a nearly flat SWR from 88 MHz continuously through 6 GHz. I plan to use it on the various ham microwave bands in addition to the usual 2m, 133cm, 70cm, 33cm and 23cm bands. 73 de W6NOB

@ats-3693 3 жыл бұрын

I wish we had something similar available here in Australia. I would order one of these from the UK but I just looked online they are sold out everywhere...

@samhozen4024 Жыл бұрын

thanks for this very informative on desktop antenna,I would like to get the screen frequency display you are using,can you advise me where to download it from and other use for it?thankyou.

@berndkalauer3813 3 жыл бұрын

It isn't really a discone but rather a set of quaterwave whips with countereweight. The main design goal was probably to look cool.

@baronedipiemonte3990 3 жыл бұрын

Looks like a few consolidated J-poles

@martinscopes3914 2 жыл бұрын

I have one of these Antennas. I was not happy with the coax so I changed it to RG mini XX all so wanted it longer but with out a join.to get to the in side plug it has to be warmed up ware the plastic fits in to the metal of the Antenna but remove the base and the top of the Antenna be careful when warming up the Antenna don't get to hot because the plastic tube will go floppy it would be easier if some heats it and another pulling it until it comes apart.i fitted 20-meters on mine RG mini 8 xx.when fitting the tube back in the metal Antenna gust use some Epoxy but only on the last 10mm of the tube.one thing if you got a watch on take it off because the magnet will kill your watch.i bought 15-inch of plastic tube because I wanted it a bit higher from the base.it won't ever go on a car because its would or mite come off.the RG 8 mini XX has made a difference .well worth doing.happy scanning

@Wayne-Pr 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Tech Minds. Love your videos, I have been trying to purchase 2 x of these & have them shipped to Australia without success. Just wondering if you are able to tell me who I might be able to purchase these through & have them shipped to Australia. Thx in Advance. Rgs Wayne.

@joemason9187 Жыл бұрын

Interesting vid as I have the exact antenna, well I say antenna, I have the vertical antennas on the base but none of the radials and don't have the 4 wound radials at the base. I couldn't bring myself to bin it, I'd like to fabricate the radials plus the 4 small ones around the base, there lengths ...Great vid

@zafersaygl1650 2 жыл бұрын

Hello. First of all, thank you for giving RF such a nice antenna. For people living in underdeveloped countries like me, getting these antennas is nothing short of a dream. I live in Turkey and 50 pounds is about 950 Turkish liras. For this, can you share the dimensions of the antenna if it will not be kept as a trade secret?

@user-lv4tw5mk3n 3 жыл бұрын

Nice review, want to get one now! Curious, that ham beacon you showed, what type of data was it sending?

@TechMindsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

JT65B www.gb3vhf.co.uk/GB3VHFReceiving.html

@user-lv4tw5mk3n 3 жыл бұрын

@@TechMindsOfficial Thanks, nice article too!

@benmeyer2916 2 жыл бұрын

So would you recommend this for a digital trunking p25 scanner? I’m trying to increase my receive on my RadioShack pro 197 scanner. I also understand that overloading the front end is possible but it’s still worth a shot

@Axl_Pose 3 жыл бұрын

Picked this up fairly recently. I was pretty surprised at what I've been able to recieve so far. I'm near the cost and can pick marine traffic up at 40ish miles, plenty of air traffic from Ireland and England, even hams from Devon way (I'm from Wales). All that from using it indoors. I'd put it outside on a good day but wouldn't leave it out.

@rickets5094 2 жыл бұрын

I'm from Wales just picked up the antenna hope it does the job 👍

@Axl_Pose 2 жыл бұрын

@@rickets5094 Nice. Hope it works for you.

@rickets5094 2 жыл бұрын

@@Axl_Pose didn't realize I needed a adapter for RTL SDR lol waiting on it now..

@Axl_Pose 2 жыл бұрын

lol hopefully it comes soon and you'll be up and running in no time!

@MrKeys57 2 жыл бұрын

i have had mine on my balcony for about three years now, still works perfectly! 73, Levi in Sweden

@TRUMP_WAS_RIGHT_ABOUT_EVRYTHNG 3 ай бұрын

This was one of the videos that led me down the path to get the discount antenna. I love mine I forget what number it is It's on Amazon for like 80 90 bucks and I get the signals everywhere from it with my SDR. I have mine mounted a boat 30 ft off the ground bolted to my chimney in the top of my house. And I still get tons of noise at 2 m band. I haven't been able to figure that one out.

@TechMindsOfficial 3 ай бұрын

going to be a cheap power supply somewhere I reckon. Try turning things off around the house and see if the noise goes away. Trial and error :-) Thanks

@2e0txe 3 жыл бұрын

My Flightaware is doing a cracking job at the moment, plenty of aircraft up there still, Everytime I look at least 30+. I'm guessing your coax was letting you down with that.

@axi6ne8us 2 жыл бұрын

Can this be purchase here in the USA? or can you recommend one that is similar to this skyscan? Cheers!

@hastingssaunders9661 3 жыл бұрын

I see you got the reflector set up, but haven't gotten ahold of anyone on it, seems empty whenever I check.

@ats-3693 3 жыл бұрын

Dude speaks in FM

@skwaab 2 жыл бұрын

First time I picked up VOLMET is was a weak signal on a stock antenna I got with the SDR but had a mini heartattack assuming it was a numbers station

@bennick69 3 жыл бұрын

Do you think this would work for a router on the helium network?. Thanks for the video.

@Locksnut 3 жыл бұрын

Could you test it for resonant frequencies with a VNA? Might be useful for tx. Thanks

@TechMindsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

Funnily enough I did do this and then totally forgot to include in the video. I’ll reply again when I have uploaded the screen shot somewhere for you all to see.

@daklakdigital3691 Жыл бұрын

I have been using one of these discone antennae for several years on the rear of my motorcycle for many tens of thousands of kilometres. During assembly l used LOCKTITE on all threaded parts and not one has come loose. I also use LOCKTITE on my fixed position antenna because l live at 8,000 feet and the wind can shake threaded components loose. Only one component has failed on the discone antenna and that was one of the "rubber duckie" antennae, and l don't know what the specification is. The manufacturers didn't respond to text enquiries, despite several attempts.

@TechMindsOfficial Жыл бұрын

Wow! Never seen one used on a motorbike before, we’ll done!

@uplink44 3 жыл бұрын

Any chance you could test it with NOAA and Meteor M signal?

@pdxh0b0shack89 3 жыл бұрын

tell them to toss some on US Amazon :)

@sdrrtl8534 3 жыл бұрын

👍👍👍

@rasputinputin8103 3 жыл бұрын

At the higher frequencies the coated glass (IR) will very much attenuate the signal.

@jamierawlins6743 2 жыл бұрын

Hi. I live ~13 miles from Heathrow and currently have a uniden EZI133XLT. I am considering buying this antenna to pick more traffic up coming in and out of Heathrow. Will it work from that range?

@MrDwadi84 3 жыл бұрын

I have few questions is this antenna good for weather sats? Please test this in tx...

@markg6jvy135 3 жыл бұрын

👍👏👏

@mistahke 3 жыл бұрын

If you can find a copy of Openear, especialy the one that didn't have tetra removed, it is waaaay better that dsd+, you can pinpoint transmissions with sdr sharp and get the mode automatically decoded but as far as the quality of decoded voice/audio goes, no match.

@robertr64 3 жыл бұрын

Looks good- can you transmit with 5 or 10 watts on ham bands with this?

@TechMindsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

Probably not, check this VNA scan: drive.google.com/file/d/1sr6WLgS9Zyf5ZOf4L7Lu4VtV91a2x4ux/view?usp=sharing

@maartenvd84 2 жыл бұрын

What's the cookie jar for (used outside)? I have bought the same antenna.

@jojieshazri2456 3 жыл бұрын

can it receive iss sstv and noaa weather satellite?

@OldSchoolNI 3 жыл бұрын

Often wonder what do folks actually use these for for listening to anything above 500MHz? Other than 1090 for ADSB is there much else to catch? I'd imagine if there is and its low power serious enthusiasts will be using something custom tuned for the job.

@c4715 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for testing this, I've been undecided about getting this for a while now (I'm based in a very flat area not much above sea level). I think I might go for it. Did you say you just connected it to a BNC coax wire when you had it in your garden? How many metres just out of interest? Thanks.

@coroamanicolai4527 3 жыл бұрын

What do you think about the Comtrack D-130 discone antenna?

@marca90210 3 жыл бұрын

Zero gain

@johnadams9558 3 жыл бұрын

So disappointed..I cannot find any stock in the US or eBay or Amazon. Where can I buy one of these?

@OutpostH 3 жыл бұрын

Don't suppose you know what that pulse is at 153Mhz below the POCSAG channel? It must be nationwide. I can hear it here in the midlands.

@MI7DJT 3 жыл бұрын

It's good old FLEX pagers. Easily decoded with multimon-ng.

@MI7DJT 3 жыл бұрын

Try this: rtl_fm -f 153.023M -s 22050 | multimon-ng -t raw -a FLEX -e -f alpha /dev/stdin

@OutpostH 3 жыл бұрын

@@MI7DJT Thanks. Raspberry Pi script time. :-)

@TechMindsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

It's also POCSAG, and if left on with PDW running it decodes many medical messages too.

@OutpostH 3 жыл бұрын

@@MI7DJT I've modified my POCSAG file to this 'nc -l -u localhost 7355 | sox -t raw -esigned-integer -b 16 -r 48000 - -esigned-integer -b 16 -r 22050 -t raw - | multimon-ng -t raw -a FLEX -e -f alpha /dev/stdin' and listen to UDP coming out of GQRX on the Pi. Works great. Thanks

@solarpower3669 9 ай бұрын

Comparing to the Diamond D130J which covers 25 to 1300MHz,this antenna has much shorter ground plane elements.I doubt if it can work well on frequencies lower than 100MHZ

@andyvint8421 3 жыл бұрын

A use it for ma scanners bct15 x and whistler trx2e And bct9 Wit SDR would u recommend for me plzzz

@oneonlynono Жыл бұрын

Hi ... thank you for your Amazing Video ... Please send me the Link for the Software you used on your PC for the Frequencies Test you did ... awaiting your Reply ... Thank You

@giuliocoronati Жыл бұрын

SDRUNO is the software

@Saber341 Жыл бұрын

Can this antenna be permanently mounted outside?

@dougaegerter2079 3 жыл бұрын

How do you get one in the U.S.

@onceways 3 ай бұрын

Do you think this antenna could be used on 433mhz in a flat for TinyGS

@infonset Жыл бұрын

Great antenna, very cool. I would like to buy this antenna, to use in the SDR RECEIVER. but American imports are very expensive, the tax is very high, it is even more expensive than Antenna =( where can I buy a cheaper import fee? 🤔

@drlegendre 3 жыл бұрын

WIDEBAND DESKTOP ANTENNA (Picture of rooftop antenna)

@charlesboston1 3 жыл бұрын

so is this a receive only antenna , and can a person tx through it ? if so how many watts ?

@TechMindsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

It's not designed for TX, but you can view its VNA plot here: drive.google.com/file/d/1sr6WLgS9Zyf5ZOf4L7Lu4VtV91a2x4ux/view?usp=sharing

@NautilusCL 3 жыл бұрын

A friend have a MFJ discone and it TX ok on 144, 435 and even 1296Mhz, the gain is very low, but it can be done

@dstoper 3 жыл бұрын

Can you do a video on PDW install for windows 10

@TechMindsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

Sure :)

@dstoper 3 жыл бұрын

@@TechMindsOfficial you The man M8

@moonfestmadness 3 жыл бұрын

DESKTOP DISCONE makes me giggle ..wideband rf probe in a home enviroment ... .... get it high and outside with some lmr200/240

@TechMindsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

Exactly, but this antenna is marketed as a Desktop antenna. Which is why I also demonstrated using it outside. Unfortunately, not every one has the luxury of installing antennas outside.

@moonfestmadness 3 жыл бұрын

@@TechMindsOfficial indeed :) and as per cool video .. maybe you could do a show about filters and tuners :)

@jakob5481 3 жыл бұрын

I personally wouldn't see it as much as a desktop antenna as I would see it as a portable diskone antenna I can bring with me when I go somewhere

@blsemetan7232 3 жыл бұрын

multiband dipole antennas like this are not omni directional. you might think on one band the rx is bad, but it could just be the antenna is turned the wrong way.

@jekkodejekkis7372 2 жыл бұрын

Which is the maximum diameter of the antenna? Thank you!

@hamandshortwaveradioirelan4773 3 жыл бұрын

Soo many advertisements in such a short video saw me give up at third set of ads.

@MI7DJT 3 жыл бұрын

People still get ads on the internet? Adblock and Popup Blockers are a thing ;) Check out the addons / extensions for your browser.

@TechMindsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

The amount of adverts displayed is controlled by KZfaq. Without the adverts I cannot put food on the table for my son and I. Thanks for watching and NOT blocking.

@robertreagan5173 2 жыл бұрын

no HF test . sadly , But I likedthe tests thanks

@Markinpuff 3 жыл бұрын

Can this be mounted outdoors?

@TechMindsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

Yep, sure can.

@bodstrup 2 жыл бұрын

That antenna -just looks wrong. No filters directing frequencies to matching whips. Would love a comparison of signal strength against a ‘normal’ dual band 2m/70cm whip

@hfvhf987 3 жыл бұрын

I know that voice on 2m. You must live fairly near me.

@LZ1SSA 3 жыл бұрын

Интересно. А какво КСВ има в обхват 144-146/430-440 Мегахерца?

@TechMindsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

drive.google.com/file/d/1sr6WLgS9Zyf5ZOf4L7Lu4VtV91a2x4ux/view?usp=sharing

@LZ1SSA 3 жыл бұрын

@@TechMindsOfficial , Благодаря. Не видях детаилно в обхват 144/ 430 .

@jordivlctube 2 күн бұрын

Hello! Is it good for TX? THANK YOU

@TechMindsOfficial Күн бұрын

Nope, unfortunately not. Some discones you get do actually work on 2/70, but not this one. Thanks for watching.

@Vikingza 3 жыл бұрын

Hi, a quick slightly off topic question, for ADS-B, is it better to monitor 1090Mhz or 978Mhz for tracking local aircraft? Thank you in advance.

@TechMindsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

1090MHz :)

@Hex-Mas 3 жыл бұрын

I'm as high as possible.

@seventytrees73 3 жыл бұрын

It looks too small to do any good below 100mhz or so.

@harrison8578 Жыл бұрын

Dobra jest ta antena?

@sevarabonuyunusaliyeva2814 3 жыл бұрын

hello friend i watched your videos posted on your channel with great interest. It seems that you have a lot of knowledge on this program. If you could dedicate your precious time to us, you would be very happy. How can we contact you?

@Kees12538 3 жыл бұрын

don't expect much from this antenna, have had it myself, nice for local traffic, but not really as good antennas for SDR or scanner receiver, and not for high freq, example 1090, it really won't work

@chrisscott1547 2 жыл бұрын

Evaluating a supposedly broadband antenna without SWR checks? C'mon.

@paulmark63 3 жыл бұрын

Hi it’s Paul the software you used for 1090 on the left can you tell me what is it could. Thank you. Paul

@TechMindsOfficial 3 жыл бұрын

Software available from www.rtl1090.com :-)

@therealwolfspidertoo 2 жыл бұрын

Can you transmit on this antenna?

@TechMindsOfficial 2 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately it’s not resonant in any particular useful band. There are other discone antennas which are resonant on 2/70 for example.

@miscalanoius1842 3 жыл бұрын

Third comment!! I want to win this antenna

@chrissewell1608 3 жыл бұрын

Looks like an all around winner. Is it just a scanner antenna? Can't you transmit with it as well? I heard today that the U.K. was locked down, but I didn't know there was no air travel, right now! Hows that lock down working for everyone? Has the China-virus disappeared yet?

@MI7DJT 3 жыл бұрын

There is lots of air travel in the UK. Check ADSB Exchange.

@sammiller6631 3 жыл бұрын

China virus? That sounds like some conspiracy theorist.

@darrenshiels2820 3 жыл бұрын

I found this antenna to be very poor for the price and noticed I could receive signals without all the radials and whips attached and when attached the same signal was received with all the bits added there was no change in signal strength. No antenna in the world is capable of covering 25 to 2000mhz as it's totally impossible. I thought it was very poor for the price and found a slim jim cut for around 200mhz and a 3rd of the price massively out performed this discone.

@florentleider222 3 жыл бұрын

Discone antennas are famous for....their lack of gain....

@marca90210 3 жыл бұрын

Discone = zero gain.

@markmanning5683 7 ай бұрын

No Aircraft above the UK at the moment? Ha, Ha, Ha.... Pffft. There are always Aircraft above the UK. Jog On....

@TechMindsOfficial 7 ай бұрын

Covid times you 🛎️ end!

@MoneyMitrovic333 5 ай бұрын

😂😂 get wrecked

@charlesboston1 3 жыл бұрын

4th comment :D

@francismcclaughry3794 2 жыл бұрын

can't find u s a

@TechMindsOfficial 2 жыл бұрын

Moonraker may post the US, drop them an email to find out.

@allancopland1768 3 жыл бұрын

I can't see any advantage at all in combining a very poor discone , 4 rubber duckies rather than a top disk of the usual 8 (or more) rods, with a few vertical elements. It's a complete shambles of a thing. Not sure where they plucked 25Mhz from, but it's a marketing ploy. Advertising gurus making silk purses from sows ears. Try a wire coat-hanger, straightened out, cut in the centre and connected to the same length of co-ax. Not joking.