You are dealing with AM VHF line of site. Height of antenna is the best
option. If you try some gain use a loaded whip for about another 3db. Amps
just boost noise. Hire a tree service to mount you a coiled whip in a tree
with a good ground. You can hear for 50 miles.


"Rich Hare" wrote in message
...
I'd like to improve my air band listening at home. I'd like to be able
to capture ATC ground transmissions from an airport 15 miles away (DTW)
and ATIS from DTW and YIP (also about 15 miles). I'm in a two story
house in a typical suburban setting on ground about 200' higher than the
airports in question.

I'm going to install a base station antenna in my attic (outside is not
doable) and run coax down to the basement. Sometime later I may run it
into my den. I'd like to put a TV coax amplifier in the system to help.
Receiver will be my handheld, but later I might use an illegal
(transmitter) 360 navcom (Com 11?) if I can find one that works at a
giveaway price.

Questions:
- Anybody got a rig like this? Suggestions?
- Should I put RF amp up in the attic, near the antenna, or in the
basement, near the receiver?
- Any watchouts?

Rich