Diamond D3000N Super Discone Ultra-Wideband Antenna: Great for SDR and Scanners!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Note: the Antenna had roughly the same SWR when it was installed on the roof as it did when tested in the shack. So that was good news as VHF/UHF was frankly very good!

[@Peter-W1]

Put a preamp also then you can get rid of attenuation in tha coax and get even better RX , nice job 👍

[@christianknight2905]

​@@Peter-W1would you need for uhf and vhf or just the uhf?

[@Silvertarian]

Safety glasses: $3 Lifetime of vision: Priceless. There's some things money can't buy, for everything else, there's discone antennas.

[@PaulGriffith]

Good idea to wear safety glasses when building and handling the antenna

[@aerofart]

Or if you're old and blind like me, you'll already be wearing your reading glasses . . .

[@allanmccullough8550]

Complaining about not having caps on the pieces was a little bit much while exposing his unprotected eyeballs to to the hazard right in front of him. There is a popular ham radio you tuber that is missing one of his eyes due to getting poked.

[@the_second_amendment388]

Just a hint for you, if the set screws on the capacitance hat ( horizontal elements) and the threads on the angled elements do not have thread locker on them already, I would recommend Loctite blue thread locking compound. Do NOT use red ! Blue will hold the elements in place, wind over time will vibrate the elements loose and one day you will look up and notice missing elements. Red Loctite requires high heat to break the bond, high enough that you will ruin the antenna to take it apart. Blue will hold the elements in place while still allowing you disassemble the antenna if necessary. W1VJL

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Good call!

[@jdock32778]

Would the blue Logitech act as an insulator, or does Logitech conduct?

[@the_second_amendment388]

@@jdock32778 it acts as an insulator but enough of the element should still be metal to metal contact that it should not be a concern, you only need a very small amount don't completely cover all the threads and most also have a locknut on the element to tighten against the hub don't use it on the locknut if one is provided, the locknut will also provide a path to the element from the hub. If it is the type where an unthreaded hole is in the hub and you just slide the element into the hub instead of screwing it in and there is a set screw to hold the element in place, Loctite on the setscrew will not affect capacitance

[@jdock32778]

@@the_second_amendment388 Very good. Thanks.. ...Loctite not the spell corrector Logitech. Wow.

[@oldrango883]

Just TAC WELD IT!

[@benjaminpauza159]

A tool I've been appreciating a ton recently are safety glasses. Get a good pair and you won't have to worry about getting poked in the eyes.

[@WFTL14]

Appreciate the real life "trials" in the video when doing the assembly. A lot like what I go through. I think we can all relate to dropping screws! Informative and fun!!!

[@MisterTwister55]

I can vouch for that guy in South Central PA. We got 4 inches of rain on Friday and Saturday. I did nothing but radios.

[@tomsteuverkb8dxn132]

I have the Radio Shack version of this same antenna. I installed it on the mast first, then installed the spikes which made it much easier. I use it as my VHF/UHF antenna and does a very good job.

[@gertvogelaar]

I use a Diamond D3000 antenna for FM, DAB, 132MHz aviation band (I live near an airport) and 144 MHz amateur band. For the Broadcast signals I am using a UK designed Majority Fritzwilliam 2 receiver and for the rest the also in the UK designed SDRPlay radio on my PC. The whip antenna peaks around 49MHz measured with my NanoVNA-H analyser. The cable is a Messi & Paoloni Hyperflex 5 low loss 50 Ω cable that is 28m long. I used an N connector on the antenna side. The FM signal is around -57 dBm at 102 MHz and the DAB reception is excellent! I receive the weakest but still useful channels over a distance of 65 km (10kW transmission power) and even over 90km distance at a C/N between 9 and 11 dB. That is really the lower limit! The nearby DAB stations I receive with a C/N of between 19 and 24 dB.

[@mstrawn69]

I have 2 of these on 30' masts and they are awesome. I've had them for about 10 years. The rubber tips, lasted about a week out in the sun.

[@otrdriver6767]

I did the same thing with my SDS100 and the Tram discone. I am in South Portland Maine and it works very well. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@stonewallace]

That signal that spikes up and is centered just above 445M looks almost exactly like mine did at my home QTH. It turned out to be one of my monitors on my PC. Turning off the monitor did not solve it. It was the monitor that was connected from the PC using HDMI and then ran into an HDMI to DVI adapter on the back of the monitor. Only way it went away was to either power down the PC, or disconnect that particular monitor cable from the back of the PC itself. Disconnecting it from only the monitor did not change the signal. Once I did, the signal as well as all the spurious emotions went away. My other 4 monitors on the PC did not cause any issue. I noticed some noise on the radio when tuning into signals near those frequencies that could be heard on some repeaters etc, but never figured out the source till I connected my SDR and was able to visualize it like you just did in this video.

[@martindx1120]

same happens to my hdmi to vga adapter, and the noise is fairly powerful aswell surprisingly

[@vincei4252]

I have the SDRPlay and RSPDuo. Both excellent radios. I wish they had a low power QRP transmitter in them.

[@phildurall7466]

Josh ... love real life "lessons learned" presentations. I originally had one of these Diamond D3000N discones. I just replaced it with a new Comet DS-150S Discone Base Antennas. I also have an RSPdx that I have dedicated it to. This antenna does not use set screws, but, all of the shafts are threaded with a lock nut. All of them including the capacitive type hat have black plastic covers on the ends to protect your eyes. I routinely use this antenna for all of my HF listening as well. I find that the S/N ratio is much better than my full length wire antenna that I have in a horizontal plane. Keep up the good work! 73 - KF6IF

[@sbo3784]

May I ask what the reason for switching to the Comet was? Currently torn between the two here (for UHF/VHF SDR scanning)

[@phildurall7466]

@@sbo3784 Age of the antenna primarily. I live close to the ocean. They both have provided similar results.

[@sbo3784]

@@phildurall7466 thanks 😊

[@seasparrow7427]

How do you like the RSPdx?

[@phildurall7466]

@@seasparrow7427 Love it! I am surprised all the time with this little box.

[@buzzsah]

The Discone was always a good recv. antenna. Back in thelate 80's early 90's I sold hundreds. The Tx, wasn't the best throughout the so-called Tx bands, but again a good recv. antenna

[@GB-rb1up]

That self-sticking tape at 10 minutes into the video is the stuff that we used to call F-4 tape in the Air Force. Because it literally held the F-4's wire harnesses together in a pinch.

[@DonzLockz]

Type N are supposed to be way more water resistant compared to SO239 & PL259. I want a discone and didn't know about that SDR, cool! LMR is serious cable! 👍

[@DaveW6OOD]

All I could think was SAFETY GLASSES!!! LOL😂

[@b3j8]

Used to have Hustler's version of a Discone antenna. It seemed to routinely do a better job of picking up Police mobiles on their VHF Repeater talk around freq than my much larger Ringo Ranger did.

[@R50_J0]

A roof-mounted antenna receives much better than an internal antenna. Amazing. 😉

[@sleeve8651]

There was a time when a, " True " Discone was without a vertical piece ! That innovation became popular, as a ploy to sell more antennas, and to appease those customers wanting to change the design parameters of the Discone design !

[@Gunslinger2121]

Now I know what the wife can get me for my birthday next month! Thanks Josh!

[@Spike-sk7ql]

Dude! I NEED one of those pitch thingies your mom got you! My roof is a steep pitch roof, and let me tell you how NOT fun it is when you're sliding down your roof while trying to put up Christmas lights. It's also not fun having to bail off the roof before you end up falling on your head from about 12'. Honestly, I need 2.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Sounds like you also need a safety harness.

[@DellFargus]

I started out with a Tram discone, and a raspberry pi running cubic sdr on debian. That's what sent me down the ham radio rabbit hole. The Tram is a lot easier to put together and has an 11 m whip and two longer tunable base whiskers that do 10m , so I also successfully used it as a cb antenna (for local stuff) before I got my ham ticket. The transmit range is very limited though - I never made any CB or HF contacts with it outside of maybe 10 miles away. Discones have BIG EARS - I can hear VHF/UHF/GMRS repeaters 80 miles away in other states with it, mounted about 30' up in the air... and I live in hill country. You're going to love it for SDR and scanning. The downside is that discones have zero gain/directionality. So you won't get out with it past 5-10 miles on transmit.

[@aandpman]

I've been using the Tram 1411, and like you, started out using it for SDR listening before I got my ticket. On top of 20' fence top rail, that thing is my go-to for 2m, 440, 6m, and 10 & 12. I've done dx to NZ & Aus, all over North & South America and Europe on 10. I haven't been able to beat it with anything I've tried so far on 10m including dipoles.

[@DellFargus]

​@@aandpman You must have caught some magic sky to DX with a discone! The best I could do with the tram on 10m was a guy in the next state. Maybe is has something to do with 10m being a "daytime" band and time zones - I'm an east-coaster with a 3 in my call, so most of my DX window on 10m is closed to the east across the Atlantic, by the time the band is warming up for me. I did hear a lot of Caribbean CQ's, but I never could hit them. I normally can't hear west of The Rockies, unless the caller is pumping some serious wattage. I have mine on top of a 10' stick of 1" galvanized conduit, that I hose-clamped to the top section of a 25' telescoping flagpole that I bought at Harbor Freight. When I'm not using it, I just collapse the flagpole, and it's hidden behind my garage. I got the idea for the flagpole setup from a power antenna I had seen on an old Buick.

[@sleeve8651]

Caveat Emptor : It has been my experience, that over time, if you don't tighten the elements properly, that exposing these antennas to various wind speeds, they will respond to the vibrations, and lose elements ! I have learned to combat those vibrations, by incorporating a UV resistant monofilament fishing line, tied to each long element around the skirt of the antenna, in daisy chain fashion ! Knoting the line around each element as you go ! This, if done properly, acts as a damper of sorts, helping keep those pesky antenna disassembly vibrations to a minimum ! 🤔.....? Just a thought ! Addendum : I would also suggest if the model antenna you purchase doesn't have nuts for each element, it would be a wise investment to purchase the appropriate size nuts, as when tightened appropriately, they aid in helping keep the elements from backing out !

[@B.Murphy]

Love my Tram 1411 discone with the "CB" vertical. SWR under 1.5 on 70, 1.25, 2, 6 & 10. Haven't tried TX on the Ghz side. Think all my RFI chokes/RFI ferrite core winds work a little matching magic.

[@davidg5308]

Nice - I actually use mine for TX on VHF/UHF here in LA area - much less (none) interference from neighbors cheap landscape lighting transformers than verticals. Get great comments on TX quality. Compare RX between the discone and your vertical? Mine is an old Radio Shack garage sale find - bueno!

[@mikecrockford6500]

I made exactly the same mistake with constructing it and then having to take it apart to put the feed in etc.. but they do work well so it was worth it

[@shawnbergin8479]

Thank you for your work on this review. I finally found one of these in stock today and it will arrive this weekend. I am looking forward to more of your Honest and Informative reviews. It will be a very happy Fourth of July for our family.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Hope you enjoy it! I love mine!

[@AllanLoveJr]

I just ordered this antenna. I can’t wait till it comes in.

[@benmeyer2916]

I have a tram 1411 discone antenna and I just assembled it today, all I need to do now it get a BNC male to PL259 cable and a way to mound the antenna to a pole with the cable coming up through it

[@Hellas-jx6dm]

Nice description, detailed and understandable. Thanks.

[@robertthompson5084]

Hah. This comes at a good time.. I was thinking of getting a discone for my RSP1A... I was thinking 'I wonder if Josh has any videos on discones?'.. and here we are....

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I do have a lot of videos :D

[@l.a.2646]

When building or assembling these types of antennas, ( other than having eye protection) if you can't loop or blunt the ends , use Conical Plastic Anchors - that are used for masonry screws or an all plastic type of wire nuts( that doesn't have the metal spring inside) not to protect your eyes but also it can prevent skin scratches or puncture wounds. Remember Murphys laws. 🙂

[@gabrielsierra6890]

Safety Glasses! Would had loved that you ran the rigexpert once in the final position, specially on 6 meters.

[@justinthibeault7212]

[@cathrynm]

All the Comet and Diamond antennas I've bought are pretty decent so far. I think I have that exact antenna on my SDS200.

[@cathrynm]

I've never tried transmitting into one of these though.

[@nerdinium]

dielectric grease to keep out moisture over and above the tape.

[@JAMES-dv1yg]

Where Are Your Eye Eye Eye Eyeee Protection? Look What To Eric, Sadly Enough... Stay Safe And Love Your Content, Learned So Much From You. Thank-You...

[@TexasHobbyist]

Just getting into Ham and scanners. Have a used SDS 200 Scanner with DMR coming in a few days. Have a Anytone DMR base and HT unit also. Setting up the D3000N (HOA trying to hide it in the backyard lol). Question is love these little SDR's also. Doing some research and is it possible to hook up the SDS 200 to a panadpater and have a waterfall display on a computer screen ? Not sure if the scanner also scans talk groups on DMR yet. I like see whats active on the bands with the waterfall. Not sure if it would be better to hook up to scanner or Anytone 578UVIII Pro.

[@ChrisMillerOPMG]

Thanks as always Josh.. FYI it sounds like you're receiving PL tones on your SDRUno... There is a button in the EX Control panel "PDBPF" that mutes them... I am currently running a Diamond X50a for my SDR.... My question is this: The Db gain spec on my X50a is 4.5Dbi on 2 meters, but the discone only reports a gain of 2Db... So for VHF/UHF scanning, would I actually see an improvement with the discone on weaker/distant signals, even though the DB gain is reportedly less? TIA KX7D 73

[@user-ro3mn5eb9d]

Great Vid. I painted mine after installation ''ranger Green'' kept it a bit low and it disappeared....... after that no locktite needed. I love working it in tx mode on 2m and surprisingly its a quiet listener on the higher HF bands as well........if for some reason you need it to do that.... Aside the hollow filled radials (should of been solid for the price) it is quite robust and I have two..... but if you ever get your hands on a surplus military discone, I'd pay extra over this ant. any time. 73 DE SV0KU

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Good tips!

[@sandybottom6623]

Diamond build hollow and hollow filled radials. That means that they can be broken easily including by trees.

[@JP-tl8rr]

I am so glad you did this review as I was looking at getting that Diamond antenna, thats Josh, 73 de KX4QV

[@RedRoyce]

I'm new to all this and enjoy your videos. I have a metal roof and was thinking about getting one of these but not sure if my metal roof would mess with it to much/ I have a shed in the far back but the elec pole lines right above it. I have one other place I can out it but it still will be say 20 to 25 ft from the metal roof do you think it would still work for me very well. Using it with a SDR and software.

[@winterburan]

I have a discone of the Sirio model SD 1300 N, I use it with SDRplay DX that with IC-R9000, even in rx HF it's not bad!

[@ALSNewsNow]

Couch cushion foam is what pro roofers use BTW.

[@DreadedOne509]

Those "shenanigan's" you mentioned, were they an example of spurious emissions? (new guy here)

[@thetruthserum2816]

Did I miss the grounding, lightning and static protection sections?

[@ManuelPinner]

I have a Sdr Play RSP Duo, I have Two HT Antennas and a Wire on the Hi Z Wire Connector,

[@jeremywhitver38]

Now try assembling this antenna in an attic while balancing on rafters....wasn't fun. Great antenna though

[@jonajonker1675]

does the antenna come with the coax on the table? and if not a link to that cable would be appreciated.

[@thelostiowan]

Greetings from Minnesota, I am wondering if you would show us how or what connectors you used to connect up your dual SDR unit. I been wanting to do something similar here in rural Minnesota. Thanks, de KC0QNA

[@jduke008]

Hey Josh, does your sds 200 have a remote head? It looks like it in the pic. THX

[@DandyDon1]

The horizontal radiators don't have notches for the use of a small wrench to tighten them?

[@Lymansradio]

I used that antenna and it works very good, BUTT the parts will not stay together in weather. Better weld them in place. I got trired of screwing it back together every 2 months.

[@Screamingtut]

Josh we all want to know is how was the SWR ck once it was up?

[@arupian666]

There's a note, if you didn't see it: "Note: the Antenna had roughly the same SWR when it was installed on the roof as it did when tested in the shack"

[@samtheman83]

I am thinking about adding this for my SDR/Scanning/Listening needs. Tired of burning up MFJ SDR switches.. Have you noticed any sensitivity degradation on the UNO from being blasted at close range from your VHF/UHF primary transmission antenna? Also, how did you end up diplexing to both the Uniden and the SDR? Selectable Switch or what. Thanks dude KD9RDN

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Primary vhf/uhf is 30 feet away. No issues so far. I have this connected to an MFJ sw antenna splitter. Only receivers are connect to this antenna.

[@Robert-cd5zr]

Moonraker makes the "SCANKING HF DISCONE 0.05 TO 2000 MHZ ANTENNA" which I am interested in because I have an SDR with only one antenna input and it basically covers everything, but I am suspicious because I haven't been able to find any other discone with that sort of coverage range and there doesn't seem to be any reviews of it online. I would imagine if it performed as well as this one and still covered more, that the demand would be high. Am I right to question it or is Moonraker usually pretty reputable?

[@hughvines4585]

Would leaving the center high top vertical off be better if you were only connecting to a SDs 200 scanner. Scanning only P25 frequencies

[@88KeysOnFire]

I have one of the other Discone's, crap. To follow trunked systems in 700-800 Mhz, you need the RemTronix rubber duck, it beats every other antenna I've ever tried, base or mobile, it's perfectly resonant, I've tested it against pieces of copper cut to the same 6 inches, with those specifically cut pieces I can hear and see the difference on the band/frequency edges.

[@robmcculley6835]

I own a Uniden SDS200 and am in 850Mhz simulcast hell where I live near UCLA. I can hear LAPD ok'ish and other services quite well but LAFD is almost inaudible. I know this is a loaded question as there are many variables that factor into this issue but do you think the performance of the D3000N could help me with the 850Mhz band? It seems that your reception improved with the unit. Thanks!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

If you get it up on the air. Absolutely!

[@chrisgardner2548]

I also have that particular antenna, it is great

[@Blake-jl8lh]

do not use channel locks on any rf connectors, finger tight is usually about the right torque but they have torque standards and you can ruin them but cranking down on them

[@pauliedweasel]

What model of vhf uhf antenna do you have on your roof? It looks like a Comet.

[@mfbpumper1a782]

Hello, thanks for the great video. Just wondering would it be ok if the antenna is installed but not turned it? Would it still work ok for a scanner antenna? Thanks 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Please re-read question. There is a typo. “Turned it”?

[@victoryfirst2878]

Would this cone antenna work for free to the air TV signal fella ?? Can you make something work ??

[@rafa-nc3go]

a lot of money for eight rods you are paying the mark for an easy-to-build antenna and the beauty of radio is to experiment with self-built antennas greetings 73

[@davidbrimson469]

Have you used this antenna to receive the NOAA weather sat's. ??? If so how were the captures??

[@Porco_Utah]

I have something similar mine is Diamond D-130 with UHF connector. been using for 20 years. since I am afraid of height, mine is mounted with heavy duty fence post driven into ground and 20 ft pole attach to it . AG6JU

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

Moments like these are when you need to be wearing the tacticool vest for you tools.

[@MaryBrownForFreedom]

Adhesive lined heat shrink tubing for coax connectors!

[@128MrRon]

Hey 👋!!!where did you get you LMR 400 UF ? Im struggling to find quality coax at affordable prices…

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Ham Radio Outlet

[@warrenphillips69]

What's the MikroTik dish for? The average MikroTik & Ubiquiti distributor will stock N(m) & N(f) connectors.

[@Desertwalker45]

Uline sells safety glasses in a dispenser box. Saved me eyes many times.

[@dongamer1983]

what sdr software are you using?

[@mctscott123]

How's it perform on 33cm? Been debating this discone for awhile now.

[@MarkRobinson7000]

What was the brand of the coax tape that you used to help keep water out of the coax?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Coax Seal

[@503Nick]

Josh getting ripped

[@ethanpitzer2156]

Is the discone antenna a good transmitting antenna or just good for receiving signals?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

They are fine at transmitting, however, anything lower than VHF, they have reduced power on the antenna I reviewed here.

[@larrysullivan2884]

Is this ideal for DMR , thanks

[@raymondmartin6737]

Very nice demo and review. The Diamond is a great discovery, I have had it in the past. I now have a Whistler dicone, which is smaller, due to my location, but quite useful. I use it with my SDS-100, which is the Hand Held version, that I obtained when it came out in 2018. I like your SDS-200 too. They are great scanners. Unfortunately the local PD here is encrypted and not listenable. 73 de W2CH Ray New Hampshire.

[@daklakdigital3691]

No rubber tips? Just put a small ball of silicone on the end. Whilst the the tube is open, put dabs of silicone at the base of the radials to protect them. I work with antennae atop 8,000 mountains in Laos and l find silicone sealant a saviour.

[@titoaugusto2940]

Please. What is the packaging length of the Disconne D3000N?

[@icis4]

Five lightnings likes this also!

[@upstating]

19:37 - at first glance, I thought the text next to SDS200 was Large Farva

[@68camaroblue]

Could you use dielectric grease on pl 259 connectors and then the sealing tape?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yes. Absolutely.

[@Sugarsail1]

Disc + Cone = Discone. I have one of those but it has extensions on two of the lower diagonals to supposedly receive down to 11m band. I think it only receives up to 1.2Ghz too but it's been a good antenna for scanning with the SDR, but I wish the SDR would actually scan like a scanner scans (Fast).

[@godsongamergr]

What connector does this antenna use? I've read that it uses the type n connector but I can't find if it comes with type n male or female. Can anyone tell me which one it is?

[@edwilliams968]

Josh, You said several times about being poked in the eye. You really need to pay attention to the little voice on you shoulder and put on your safety glasses!

[@cartoonmc]

what would be a good antenna for listening to the scanner and also transmit on for ham and gmrs? (still new to all this)

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Basically the one in the video.

[@vinnieromano1336]

What coax did you use?

[@jameski5oeb668]

I didn’t realize there is a tx discone.

[@compsmith007]

Oh, yes! There is one at the Titan missile museum at Green Valley, AZ. Someone made a contact to Malaysia the week before I was there.

[@alanwheelock1460]

17: 30 what a pitch lol

[@chrisscott1547]

Uh, can we please see the swr/impedance plot? Much better than "it mostly works good."

[@desbelfastireland9982]

THANK YOU,, DES CREAN,, BELFAST ,, IRELAND

[@ypsifrog]

now what would you recommend for a mobile scanner antenna ?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

SDS200

[@ypsifrog]

yes thats looks like an amazing scanner. but I'm just looking for an antenna recommendation for my car @@HamRadioCrashCourse

[@eliqb]

Have you ever tried this on 11 meters?

[@ki5exydanny104]

Safety Glasses ?

[@HelpforDominique]

safety first. where are the eye protection?