"All-band" rubber duck?

dracer777 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 09:42 PM

Hello peoples, I have a 396xt and frequently switch between 150mhz, 450mhz ranges(only deviating a few mhzs off those freqs) and 700/800mhz trunking. Mostly the 150mhz and 700/800 though.

Does anyone know of a decent handheld SMA antenna for this purpose?

I do understand that there are antennas designed for specific ranges, but am looking for one that is not much bigger than the stock antenna(preferably same size or smaller).

Has anyone used the SMA "super-gainer" from scannermaster?

I'm only looking for something better than the 800mhz RS antenna and the standard duck, not a miracle antenna.

Thanks guys!

FLRAILMAN · #2 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 11:58 PM

Scannermaster has 4 sma mount rubber ducks:

Scanner Master - Police Scanners by Uniden Bearcat, AOR and Radio Shack.

All band ant. part #10-541225

WSMA801 Regular gainer part#28-541178

WSMA889 Tele gainer part#28-54118

WSMA881 Super gainer part#28-541179

Workman Electronic Products - HOME

Browse: By category
Click on: Portable antennas in the drop down menu

Antenna model: WEP12 Part#SMA144440

Your other option could be a BNC to SMA adapter:

BNC Adapters

FLRAILMAN

911scanner · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 01:04 AM

Not a duck, but the Watson W-889 covers many bases and is a great antenna.

A bit large, but the Diamond CH-77 (something like that) is awesome as well.

MM

kc2rgw · #4 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911scanner

Not a duck, but the Watson W-889 covers many bases and is a great antenna.

A bit large, but the Diamond CH-77 (something like that) is awesome as well.

MM

I have both of those and prefer the Watson if sitting with the scanner on a table. It just edges out my RH77. For a short steel whip, that Watson is a lot better performer than some of my longer whips surprisingly.

I did find a really great shorty rubber duck that works amazingly well for VHF/UHF that is what I generally use if out and about with the scanner.

Maldol MH-209 Amateur HT Antenna Maldol MH-209

I use the 396 with the included sma to BNC adapter and run BNC antennas....simply so that the wear and tear goes on the adapter from removing antennas often vs the SMA.