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Argh I got the 2 meter spectrum wrong. I forgot with my first scanner I picked up HAM from Imaging at about 20 MHZ higher. The kid that managed to summon help trasmitmed from the base of about a 3500-4000ft mountain across it to the repeater on the next mountain from that one.

I have two outdoor antennas that can I drive four scanners with. I took a TV Antenna and made a bracket to put the elements vertical the other antenna is a discone. I ran a lead from each antenna through a TV signal Amp 50 MHZ-900 MHZ then through a signal splitter going to the scanners. That's how I pick up several states away. I had maybe two birdies on frequencies that didn't matter but it worked great. Living on the side of a high ridge helps also LOL.

I'm lucky that all the agencies I want to hear are in the clear & either in the 150's 450's or 460 MHZ bands. I do have a trunk tracker though if needed. I also have the local HAM repeaters. Most of the time you'll know about a tornado a couple minutes before NOAA hits the alert.

The SkyWarn trained hams do a great job. They are the tornado spotters. There is an amateur station at our local NOAA location so they can get the reports straight in.

Sounds like you have the scanner situation well in hand.

Repeaters sitting near the top of 4000 ft high mountain peaks are great communications enhancers! Higher is usually better for VHF and UHF radio signals.

Why not get your amateur ticket?