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APX vs helical antenna

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chip448

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Hello all! I'm considering the purchase of an APX series dual band (vhf/7-800) antenna to replace the 6" helical antenna on my vhf XTS5000. I like the performance of the helical antenna, but it seems the APX antennas are becoming very popular with XTS users. Has anyone tried these two antennas side by side comparing performance?

I've also seen there are APX stubby antennas, but I've never had good luck with stubby antennas. Anyone tried one of those?

Adam
 

MTS2000des

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I use an APX VHF/7/8 antenna on my VHF XTS5000. It does seem to perform better than the stock wideband VHF helical whip. I like it because it is more rigid.

As far as the stubbys, I have a stubby 7/8/GPS and have used it on my 7/8 XTS5K and it performs quite good though not nearly as good in fringe areas as the 5/8 wave whip. the best performing 800 antenna is the old NAF4000B elevated feed halfwave dipole.
 

zz0468

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I have an APX7000 VHF/700-800, and compared to an XTS5000, it doesn't hear as good unless I put an XTS antenna on the APX.
 

RodStrong

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I have a fair amount of experience with the XTS series, but I must admit it is minimal with VHF models.

But in my experience, the stock VHF MX antennas (HT1250/1550) seem to do a bit better than the dual band APX on VHF (at least in my opinion). Results and opinions will vary of course. Good luck.
 
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