Mototrbo + mobile antenans

[Git-R-Done]

Question, Tomorrow I'll be purchasing my first XPR 5550, RMN5127A 4-way microphone, and programming cable. My question is this for the people who run their XPR mobile radios in their vehicle what type of antenna are you using? Can I use a regular ham antenna or does it have to be a Motorola antenna? Also what type of coax plug in is the XPR 5550? Mini u?

[dksac2]

What frequencies are most important?

[n3obl]

There is nothing special with the antenna. I primarly use NMO style mounted antennas on my vehicle for VHF/UHF stuff and one for lowband whip.

Frank

[Git-R-Done]

Originally Posted by dksac2

What frequencies are most important?

The 440 band.

[Git-R-Done]

Originally Posted by n3obl

There is nothing special with the antenna. I primarly use NMO style mounted antennas on my vehicle for VHF/UHF stuff and one for lowband whip.

Frank

Frank,

Would I need the antenna adapter piece in my above question?

[mmckenna]

All the Motorola mobile radios that have been produced in the last few decades have had the mini-UHF connector on them. I'd strongly suggest using the correct plug on the end of your coaxial cable rather than an adapter. Adapters tend to put strain on the connector and something will eventually give, often it's the antenna connector on the back of the radio. If you must use an adapter, use the ones that are a short length of coax, with the mini-UHF on one end, and the connector of your choice on the other.
Proper strain relieve will work, but if you are spending this much on a radio and going to install a new antenna, you might as well get one with the correct connector.

Any UHF antenna that is resonate at the frequencies you are operating on will work. There is nothing magical about MotoTrbo that requires a special antenna.

Of course the permanent mount NMO will be your best option. As for 1/4 wave or gain, that's up to you. If you have a 70CM antenna already, that will work fine if your intention is to only transmit on the 70cm ham band.

[mmckenna]

Here is a suitable antenna mount:
https://www.tessco.com/products/disp...=4&eventPage=2

This has the mini-UHF pre-installed at the end of 17 feet of cable. You could also purchase the mount and connector separate and pay a few bucks for a shop to install it for you.

[Git-R-Done]

Originally Posted by mmckenna

Here is a suitable antenna mount:
https://www.tessco.com/products/disp...=4&eventPage=2

This has the mini-UHF pre-installed at the end of 17 feet of cable. You could also purchase the mount and connector separate and pay a few bucks for a shop to install it for you.

I appreciate the help..Can you recommend a good magnetic mount antenna? I'm not fond on drilling holes.

[LtDoc]

The antenna has nothing to do with the mode of transmission, only the frequency(s) of transmission. Sounds a lot like the 'special' antennas used for digital-TV, doesn't it?
- 'Doc

[mmckenna]

Originally Posted by Git-R-Done

I appreciate the help..Can you recommend a good magnetic mount antenna? I'm not fond on drilling holes.

Black:
PCTEL Maxrad RBGPLI 0-1000 MHz, Mag Mount, RG58/U, Mini UHF | TESSCO

Chrome:
PCTEL Maxrad RGPLI 0-1000 MHz, Mag Mount, Mini UHF Installed Conn. | TESSCO

Smaller version, useful for 1/4 wave UHF:
Laird Technologies GM8MI Mini-Mag Mount, Mini-UHF Installed | TESSCO

Many other places to get these, Tessco just is handy and has a better selection than most.

[Git-R-Done]

Originally Posted by mmckenna

Black:
PCTEL Maxrad RBGPLI 0-1000 MHz, Mag Mount, RG58/U, Mini UHF | TESSCO

Chrome:
PCTEL Maxrad RGPLI 0-1000 MHz, Mag Mount, Mini UHF Installed Conn. | TESSCO

Smaller version, useful for 1/4 wave UHF:
Laird Technologies GM8MI Mini-Mag Mount, Mini-UHF Installed | TESSCO

Many other places to get these, Tessco just is handy and has a better selection than most.

I've been told Tessco is the place to buy from especially when it comes to Motorola radios and etc. Now for antenna wise decisions decisions.

[dksac2]

Mag mount antennas have done more damage to my paint then drilling a 3/8" hole and putting a small plug in it when the antenna is removed.

You antenna will also work far better put on an NMO mount that goes through the small hole. It makes a major difference.

If you do decide to go with a mag mount, be sure to clean the paint and mount often.

Good Luck, John

[Git-R-Done]

Originally Posted by dksac2

Mag mount antennas have done more damage to my paint then drilling a 3/8" hole and putting a small plug in it when the antenna is removed.

You antenna will also work far better put on an NMO mount that goes through the small hole. It makes a major difference.

If you do decide to go with a mag mount, be sure to clean the paint and mount often.

Good Luck, John

John,

I'm also deciding on a NMO mount and go with a Comet or Diamond antenna.

[Git-R-Done]

Diamond K400S NMO mount with a Diamond SG-7900A - NMO 2/440 antenna with this work with XPR 5550 radio?

[kayn1n32008]

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Originally Posted by Git-R-Done

Question, Tomorrow I'll be purchasing my first XPR 5550, RMN5127A 4-way microphone, and programming cable. My question is this for the people who run their XPR mobile radios in their vehicle what type of antenna are you using? Can I use a regular ham antenna or does it have to be a Motorola antenna? Also what type of coax plug in is the XPR 5550? Mini u?

The radio does not care what antenna is attached to it as long as it is properly tuned to the frequency(ies) in use. It could be a Tram, Sinclair, Larsen, Comet, PCtel, Antennex, MFJ, Diamond or any other brand. It only matters that it is tuned properly. RF is RF no matter the emission type. Now if you want to talk about gain that is a whole nother thread. Simple antennas in a mobile enviroment work. Something as simple as a 1/4wave, 5/8wave or even a 5/8 over 5/8wave should be sufficient. I stay away from Diamond and Commet because they look 'hammy' and I really do not believe some of the gain [DBi(Decibles Imagined) DBd(Decibles Doubtful) DB(Don't Believe)] that companies like Commet and Diamond claim.

Using a hole mounted, open coil Larsen NMO2/70, I have worked analog Uhf repeaters from 80-100Km away. Simple antenna, gives decent gain (5/8 over 5/8) and it works.

I have only used Larsen antennas for my ham mobiles because they do not scream ham radios and have decent performance.

[Git-R-Done]

I fully understand that. I like the NMO & Lip mounts myself their easier to deal with instead of taking out a drill and drilling a hole in the truck which I do not like doing.

I like the higher gain antennas due to the fact I will be able to talk/reach analog/mototrbo system a lot better I would think than having a small antenna and having no luck with it I would think but what do I know.

Originally Posted by kayn1n32008

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The radio does not care what antenna is attached to it as long as it is properly tuned to the frequency(ies) in use. It could be a Tram, Sinclair, Larsen, Comet, PCtel, Antennex, MFJ, Diamond or any other brand. It only matters that it is tuned properly. RF is RF no matter the emission type. Now if you want to talk about gain that is a whole nother thread. Simple antennas in a mobile enviroment work. Something as simple as a 1/4wave, 5/8wave or even a 5/8 over 5/8wave should be sufficient. I stay away from Diamond and Commet because they look 'hammy' and I really do not believe some of the gain [DBi(Decibles Imagined) DBd(Decibles Doubtful) DB(Don't Believe)] that companies like Commet and Diamond claim.

Using a hole mounted, open coil Larsen NMO2/70, I have worked analog Uhf repeaters from 80-100Km away. Simple antenna, gives decent gain (5/8 over 5/8) and it works.

I have only used Larsen antennas for my ham mobiles because they do not scream ham radios and have decent performance.

[mmckenna]

Originally Posted by Git-R-Done

I fully understand that. I like the NMO & Lip mounts myself their easier to deal with instead of taking out a drill and drilling a hole in the truck which I do not like doing.

I like the higher gain antennas due to the fact I will be able to talk/reach analog/mototrbo system a lot better I would think than having a small antenna and having no luck with it I would think but what do I know.

I wouldn't get too hung up on the antenna gain. It really doesn't make that much of a difference in a real world environment. A good repeater will have the correct antennas to cover the designed area based off of "normal" antenna gain numbers.
I have an 800MHz trunked system at work and I have one of my mobile radios set up to spit out signal strength levels (in -xxxdB) on the LCD screen. I've sat there in several locations and swapped out a high gain 800MHz antenna for a 1/4 wave 800MHz antenna and it would either show zero change, or maybe 1dB or so.

Sometimes lower profile can be better, draw less attention, and be a lot more durable. It's kind of hard to beat a 1/4 wave antenna for simplicity and durability. Also, a 1/4 wave antenna will have more bandwidth than a higher gain antenna, so if you plan on using this radio outside the Ham bands, maybe on GMRS or a commercial system, you'd do better with the lower gain models.

And, I'll second the comment about steering clear of the "hammy" looking antennas. The gain figures are dubious at best, and the designs are often not as durable as the commercial branded antennas. Nothing against hams, I'm one myself, it's just after years of experience, I've learned that more often than not, simple is better, and "ham radio" grade stuff isn't the best equipment out there.

[kayn1n32008]

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Unless you have 6DB or more gain over a comparable antenna you will see absolutly no difference in talk difference. 6DB is only 1 s-unit. Also remember a 9DBi gain antenna is the same as a 6DBd gain antenna. When comparing gain figures make sure you compare in the same units. If it only lists DB of gain, it is most likely DBi not DBd. Although lip mounts are easier to install there is a trade off in performance.

[W2NJS]

Your basic question has been covered many, many times in past threads on this board. Briefly stated, the transmission mode does not mean anything regarding the type of antenna used. It matters not whether you're using NBFM, TRBO, WBFM, P25, AM, D-Star, Nexedge, or whatever. Only the frequency involved is important as regards your antenna installation. If you were to consult an antenna information book you would probably not find any references to transmission mode vs. type of antenna used.

[MOONBOOTS]

If you can wait a month, you can go to the Orlando Hamfest where you can see in person thousands of antennas, & mounts, rather than having to buy something sight unseen over the internet. I use the 6" wire adapter mini UHF/PL259. NO strain on the connecter. Motorola pt # HKN9557A. Over the years I have accumulated several dual band antennas by Diamond, Larson, & Comet. They are all about 40" long, & seem to work equally as well. When I went from a Mag mount antenna on the roof of the car, to a NMO mount on the trunk, I saw no difference. I was not going to drill a hole in the roof. Just wait for Orlando. GARY