460.60Mhz Band Antenna?

[Dlight97]

Im looking for a "mobile" 460.60Mhz antenna for use on my scanner.

I just picked up scanning just a little while ago and have come to find most of what I listen to is on 460Mhz. (460.0-463.0 Max)

While I do want a "mobile" antenna as sometimes i travel with it, however I will be using it at home the vast majority of time. I also live in a condo so some consideration to size must be made.

I have looked at the ArrowAntennas website (via the wiki) and simply couldn't decide.

My issue is that I can currently hear dispatch PERFECTLY, and most car to car talk, however sometimes the car to car communications drop out. There are a good amount of ridges, and hills in my area, however based on their broadcast location I think Im not getting the best I can all things considered. I'm currently using the RadioShack Mag Mount model, unmodified.

I would like to increase my "range" or sensitivity in this band as much as possible, without going over the deep end in price. I would like to keep the purchase under $100, but if the difference is night and day for another $40-50 then so be it.

Anyhow, after reading quite a few posts I have decided I will save my antenna fabrication skills for the next band I want to target. At the same time I haven't seen anyone ask this question as it relates to keeping with the mobile/portable theme.

I should also note, that no matter what config I go with, I will have some roof/house in the general direction of the signal origin getting in the way. (home owners assoc.---hate 'em)

Anyhow, thanks for taking the time to help a newcomer to the hobby.

 

[RevGary]

One economical way to do that would be with the Larsen NMO-450. Not only will it do a good job on 460.60, but will respond quite well on VHF hi-band and 800 if you wish to monitor those at some point as well. OR you can go with the Larsen NMO-150/450/800 tri-band antenna to start with if your plans are to monitor anything other than 460.60 UHF at any time. These are well made, and positive evaluations have been posted elsewhere in this section of the forum over the years concerning both. Our Chaplain Responder team has used both and nothing we have ever tested works better.

Remember, most "MOBILE" antennas are designed to be mounted to a flat panel of metal such as a car trunk or roof for maximum 'ground plane' effect. As long as you are not TRANSMITTING, this is not quite as big of an issue. Larsen has many mount options and take a look at those before you buy. Use the menu in blue, left side, for product categories...

http://www.radialllarsen.com/

and

http://www.epcom.net/Products/larsen_mobile.htm

 

[Tom-H]

Remember, most "MOBILE" antennas are designed to be mounted to a flat panel of metal such as a car trunk or roof for maximum 'ground plane' effect. As long as you are not TRANSMITTING, this is not quite as big of an issue. Larsen has many mount options and take a look at those before you buy. Use the menu in blue, left side, for product categories...

The lack of a ground plane becomes less of an issue if you use a 1/2 wave antenna like the Larsen NMO450CHW instead. http://shop.electro-comm.com/ac/Product.aspx?Id=15206&view=8

The standard Larsen NMO450B is a fine choice, however, for best results, you will want to use a ground plane with that model.

 

[RISC777]

A mag-mount is currently being used...and the majority of monitoring is done from home, a condo...

I'm confused - are you looking for a vehicle mounted mobile antenna, or a mobile/whip for the scanner itself, or both? ... The Larsen 'tri-band' is a great setup for a vehicle...for $50-55 maybe $60 for the antenna, base, cable/fitting made to order, tested and certified (that's what I got mine for, custom ordered)...does what you're looking for and also give you the ability for 150 and 860. It could be magnet mount based to move from a vehicle to a residence, if that's the goal.

 

[Dlight97]

A mag-mount is currently being used...and the majority of monitoring is done from home, a condo...

I'm confused - are you looking for a vehicle mounted mobile antenna, or a mobile/whip for the scanner itself, or both? ... The Larsen 'tri-band' is a great setup for a vehicle...for $50-55 maybe $60 for the antenna, base, cable/fitting made to order, tested and certified (that's what I got mine for, custom ordered)...does what you're looking for and also give you the ability for 150 and 860. It could be magnet mount based to move from a vehicle to a residence, if that's the goal.

I'm looking to get the best darn 460Mhz antenna I possibly can on my budget. (<$200) My only restriction is that the antenna will be inside most of the time. I sometimes use the Mag mount on a piece of sheet metal and put that out the window. (With mixed results)

Im looking to be able to say to myself after this is done---I can not get better unless I mount on top of the roof. (Which is not an option for me unfortunately).

Im not really looking for a tri-band antenna as suggested in previous posts--unless that triband happens to be the best at 460Mhz. As I mentioned the RadioShack tri-band mag-mount I have work quite well, im just trying to get more "ooomf" in the 460-462 Range.

Ill look in to the antennas listed about, however if there are others, or based on my new post you think I would be better served with something else---please let me know!


Thanks for all the help guys!


Dave

 

[Tom-H]

Ill look in to the antennas listed about, however if there are others, or based on my new post you think I would be better served with something else---please let me know!

Larsen makes everything that you need to build you the "best darn 460 mhz" antenna out there. Seeing as you need portability, this will be a mag-mount assembly. The following part numbers are Larsen numbers.

1 qty - NMO450CHW (EC price $35.70)
1 qty - NMOMMBNC (EC price $19.81)

You can get both pieces from the same place that I listed in my last post: http://www.electro-comm.com They seem to have the best selection and price on the Larsen stuff, which, IMHO, is one of the best antenna makers out there currently.

Oh, and since this is a 1/2 wave setup, you can ditch that piece of sheet metal you were using!

 

[Dlight97]

1 qty - NMO450CHW (EC price $35.70)
1 qty - NMOMMBNC (EC price $19.81)

Oh, and since this is a 1/2 wave setup, you can ditch that piece of sheet metal you were using!

When i visit the site you mentioned it looks to be ~$72, not $35. This isn't a problem, but I wanted to know if there is a discount for being a RR memeber or something that i should take advantage of.



As far as it being a 1/2 wave setup..What does the sheet metal do, or don't do for me?

I was using the sheetmetal as a temporary mag-mount spot that "hung" out my window. I wasn't using it for better reception--which seems to be what you thought. Where can I read up more on this, and what I believe is called "needing ground plane". More than slightly confused on that part of this...I know it doesn't play in on my request here, but I figure I should find out when I may need to pay attention to that.

And thanks VERY much for the info/help!

You guys are great!

Dave

 

[kb2vxa]

Hi D. Light and all,

Flip on the switch and you have d light boss, d light, d light! (;->) (My apology to Herve Vilachez.)

"Im looking for a "mobile" 460.60Mhz antenna for use on my scanner."
Getting right to the point and not diverting FROM the point, check out your local commercial radio shop/installer. High gain (6dB typically) frequency specific antennas work much better than ANY scanner antenna and have reasonable gain across the band while it's peak is on the frequency you tune it to. BTW, they cost approximately the same as the better scanner antennas and are extremely rugged too. I went that route with the VXA Mobile and was very pleased with the results!