700-800Mhz vehicle antenna

[ScottE22]

Any suggestions for a 700-800Mhz mobile antenna, want a magnetic mount.

 

[lu81fitter]

If you have to go with a mag mount, get an NMO mag mount. If you are strictly looking for 7/800, a short 3" whip will work just fine. Or you can get a multi-band from Laird or Larsen. They work quite well also. Check these out.

Magnetic Mobile Antenna Mounts | Antenna Farm (theantennafarm.com)

Laird Technologies QW760 - $9.95 : The Antenna Farm, Your two way radio source

Larsen NMO150/450/758 - $49.95 : The Antenna Farm, Your two way radio source

Laird Technologies ABSCANC - $29.95 : The Antenna Farm, Your two way radio source

A permanent NMO mount works and looks much better.

 

[trentbob]

Good answer. If you absolutely must have a magnetic mount then that is your choices. A quarter wave 3 inch whip or the Larsen tri-band. The one shown in the above post is the new one with the spring in the heavy-duty amount.

In the event you ever want to listen to a VHF high or UHF frequency you've got coverage. With the quarter wave whip you only have 7 - 800 megahertz.

 

[ScottE22]

Thanks for the suggestions, sounds good....

 

[oilmillcharlie]

I bought the Larsen above with mag mount. Works well on the Rhode Island RISCON 800mhz system.

 

[lu81fitter]

I have both the Laird and the Larsen. The Larsen is a bit better on 7/800. Otherwise, UHF and VHF-Hi are almost the same.

 

[baybum]

I bought the Larsen above with mag mount. Works well on the Rhode Island RISCON 800mhz system.

Which mag mount did you buy with the Larsen triband?
Will this one work?
Tram 1233-BNC

 

[hill]

I have same quarter wave, as linked, but just purchased the black version of it. It works so well on a trunk mount on 700/800 that I purchased a second one to use at home on small mag mount.

 

[hill]

If you really must use mag mount would go with a Larsen or Laird model. The Tram is low quality ham/hobby brand the two others are much better and are used in commercial and public safety.

 

[baybum]

I bought the Larsen above with mag mount. Works well on the Rhode Island RISCON 800mhz system.

Which mag mount did you buy with the Larsen triband?
Will this one work? I'm just a hobbyist, not commercial.
Tram 1233-BNC

 

[lu81fitter]

Professional/commercial applications don't use mag mounts. There may be a few commercial exceptions.... I don't expect many though.

 

[mmckenna]

Which mag mount did you buy with the Larsen triband?
Will this one work? I'm just a hobbyist, not commercial.
Tram 1233-BNC

The Tram mount is probably just fine, but I've personally found that their skill in crimping coaxial connectors is extremely lacking.
If you know how to install coax connectors, you could chop off the Tram one and install your own and have a decent setup.
Or, better yet, go with a quality mount made by a company that knows how to install connectors:

https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=264_265_276&products_id=7520

For the few extra bucks, it's really worth getting the Laird.

 

[oilmillcharlie]

Which mag mount did you buy with the Larsen triband?
Will this one work? I'm just a hobbyist, not commercial.
Tram 1233-BNC

That is the one I bought with the antenna. Works fine so far.

 

[CanesFan95]

For just 700/800, you might consider a more band-specific antenna. I got this one that has some actual gain and it's excellent:

https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/pctel-maxrad-bmax7633s-6515

I also got one of their mag-mounts where you can customize the coax length and connector, but they are bit pricey:

https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=264_265_1510

Instead of RG-58, you can put a note in the checkuot comment to ask them to use LMR-240 for lower loss.