Antenna for Uniden Bear Tracker 885

[tmcclain73]

I have a Uniden Bear Tracker 885 CB/scanner hybrid. I’m thinking of upgrading the scanner antenna from an interior adhesive window mount to an exterior magnet mount. Can someone recommend a good exterior antenna? I need one with at least 15” coax preferably longer. Maybe around $20 but I can pay more for a good antenna.

Thanks,

Tom

 

[mmckenna]

Is this mounted in your car, or in your home?

 

[tmcclain73]

Is this mounted in your car, or in your home?

Car

 

[mmckenna]

Car

OK, thanks, that helps.

Maybe around $20 but I can pay more for a good antenna.

$20 isn't going to get you a good antenna + mount. It's going to get you a crappy mount with poor coax and a cheap antenna.

If you only have one or two bands you want to listen to, you might save some money, but if you want the full capability of the scanner portion of your radio, you'll end up paying more.

 

[tmcclain73]

Yea, I paid under $10 for my interior window mount. I get a lot of broken traffic. Occasionally, I’ll get crystal clear reception.

 

[mmckenna]

A good multiband scanner antenna and a magnetic mount is going to run you $60 - $70.

There are absolutely some cheap Chinese antennas that will do what you want, but I won't recommend that stuff.

$40.95 for a good antenna. I'm running one of these on my work truck:

EM Wave EM-M43002 Tri-Band 150-162/450-490/763-870 MHz Mobile Antenna - 17.7 in - NMO - Spring Base

EM Wave EM-M43002 Tri-Band 150-162/450-490/763-870 MHz Mobile Antenna - 17.7 in - NMO - Spring Base

theantennafarm.com

Getting 15 feet of cable with a BNC connector to match your CB/Scanner is going to take some work. There are some cheap Chinese mounts that come with what you need, but my own experience is that those brands use cheap connectors that are poorly installed. I hate recommending things like that to people.

This will do what you want, but will cost more:

PCTEL Maxrad RBGC30 Magnetic Mount - NMO - 3 1/4 inch - Rubber Boot Base - 30 ft RG-58/U Coax Cable - PL-259 Connector Installed

PCTEL Maxrad RBGC30 Magnetic Mount - NMO - 3 1/4 inch - Rubber Boot Base - 30 ft RG-58/U Coax Cable - PL-259 Connector Installed

theantennafarm.com

You could probably save some money by going with a different kind of mount, but that's a complex choice.

It's gets expensive, but the antenna is the most important part of your setup. Spending money on a good antenna/mount will pay off in the long run. It's up to you to decide how much it's worth to you.

 

[mmckenna]

Just be aware. You'll find people that will claim they have a $20 Cheap Chinese Antenna "and it works great!".

Ask them what they are comparing it to.
A lot of times you'll find it's the only antenna they have ever used and are not comparing it to a quality antenna. Might work just fine in their particular application. May not work well for you.

Like I said above, the antenna is the most important part of your radio setup. It will directly impact what you can hear. A good antenna properly mounted will make a good radio really perform well. A cheap Chinese antenna may pick up local traffic just fine, but might miss weaker signals.

 

[tmcclain73]

Thanks for the info. I just ordered the mount and antenna. I let you know how it works out.

 

[mmckenna]

Thanks for the info. I just ordered the mount and antenna. I let you know how it works out.

You should notice a difference over your current setup. Getting the antenna away from noise sources inside the vehicle, as well as getting it up on top where it can have an unobstructed view, should really make a difference.

 

[tmcclain73]

The antenna and mount just arrived and looks good. I have one question. There’s a black band (found near the antenna base) that I have no idea what it’s for. Picture attached. Any ideas?

 

[KevinC]

The antenna and mount just arrived and looks good. I have one question. There’s a black band (found near the antenna base) that I have no idea what it’s for. Picture attached. Any ideas?View attachment 132376

It looks like an o-ring for the antenna base to me.

 

[tmcclain73]

Yea that’s what it is. Thanks again.

 

[KevinC]

Yea that’s what it is. Thanks again.

You’re very welcome.

 

[mmckenna]

On that mag mount, the O-ring probably isn't necessary. On a permanent NMO mount, that would go on the underside of the antenna. There's a little groove that it sits in on the brass part. It would be an additional seal between the antenna base and the vehicle body.
Truth is, with the antenna base design, I'm not sure it is necessary. But the manufacturer includes it, so if you ever do a permanent mount, install it.

 

[K5MPH]

Watch out for the Mag mount the mount will over time leave a ring on your car paint.......