Sharmans Wide Band Multi-Scan Base Scanner Antenna

I don't have this as high as it should be, it is still shadowed by some roof behind and at right angles to it, but it still gives me fantastic results for DAB which is what I use it for and occasional scanning of VHF. The DAB transmitter for me is some distance and blocked by my roof as far as line of sight is concerned. If you have this as high as the law will permit then you should have a great experience! It is extremely light weight and does not get buffeted around in the wind. I have it on a 6 foot pole from my gutter line and use 50ohm 'cable tv' coax at a run of about 8 meters long.

I got this to replace a wizened mag mount that had been out in the sun too long. Its bigger, more expensive and according to specs should massively out perform the magmount. i use it almost exclusivly for marine band VHF with a bearcat scanner and im not sure its a vast improvement on the cheapie magmount. I cant do a comparitive test as the maggie fell to bits when i put this one in - but i dont appear to be hearing that much new traffic. Still a decent twig though, and ideal for a more robust permanent install. Quite thick but very light.

I used to have a similar sized Dressler ARA500 antenna for VHF/ UHF, and it worked wonderfully. The Sharmans antenna is very poor in comparison to the Dressler. I tried it in the loft with a short cable run, about 5m of RG58 co-ax, and I also tried it here in my "shack" with an even shorter co-ax. Birmingham airport is barely audible on the Sharmans. This used to romp in on the Dressler. Next I tried the FM broadcast band, 88.0MHz, Heart from Wrexham, which was weak on my Sony FM tuner. (My portable FM radio picks this up very clearly) My cheap Altai indoor "V" antenna outperformed the Sharmans on all frequencies below 300MHz, although not by a huge amount. The Altai was also better on the amatuer 144MHz band. The Sharmans was better up around 442 MHz though.Signal strength varies when you move the feeder in relation to the antenna. I think much of the signals are actually being received by the co-ax rather than by the antenna. Maybe I have a faulty unit because I disagree with other reviewers about the performance of this antenna. I have to say it looks well made. It feels sturdy and everything is sealed and it should wear well if placed outdoors.To be fair, my Dressler had a matching amplifier built into it and this eliminated cable loss, something the Sharmans must surely suffer from, especially with a long cable run. For me though, the Sharmans just does not perform adequately and I plan to return it to supplier.

Not great around the lower bands but works well around 446

Bought this to replace a mag-mount I had in the loft, and to supplement the external antenna.God I wish I could put this one outside too. It works brilliantly in the loft, but would be even better outside.

Fantastic on military airband

quick service excellent product.

Pro : good reception on aircraft bands and does it’s jub very well. I live in midland and can get Blackpool. Humberside, London, Scottish and even Coningsby. I have it mounted on the side of the eves of my house.Con: U bolts are very tight to get into the pre drilled holes on the mount. I ended up damaging the thread but was able to re tap it.