800 MHz mobile antenna...

[APX8000]

I currently own a Uniden BCT-15 base/mobile scanner which I have been using as a base with the RS-800. I decided to mount it in my vehicle instead. I mostly monitor 800 MHz trunked systems with it and currently have a VHF and UHF mobile in my vehicle, so it would be solely used for 800.

Can anyone recommend a good 800 MHz mobile antenna and NMO trunk lip mount. Also, most mounts I see come standard with RG-58U. I know there is alot of loss on 800...what should I upgrade the feedline to ? I'll have to be able to snake that feedline from the trunk.

 

[LEH]

Larsen makes a really nice NMO VHF/UHF/800 antenna. I have had a couple for the past four or five years. Love them.

Check out Ham Radio Outlet's on line catalog. That's where I got mine.

 

[Skypilot007]

I use the larson NMO 150/450/800 antenna also. It works just as good in the 860 MHz band as the Motorola 850Mhz specific antenna I used to use and I can hear again on the lower bands quite well now.

 

[APX8000]

Do you recommend upgrading the coax at all? I'm using the standard RG58U on a Maxrad trunk-lip mount.

How many inches tall is the Larsen ? I'm looking for something a bit low profile for the 800.

 

[Grog]

Upgrading the coax is always a good idea if you want to special order the mount (unless you are lucky to find someone who has them in stock) and as far as low profile, you have a few options. I'm partial to antenex brand, so that's what I will list.


#1 QWB800 Unity gain 3.3" tall Retail of $10

A simple 1/4 wave is able to blend in on some vehicles, especially if you have a black car and order a black whip. This is also your cheapest option.


#2 TRAB8063 3 dB-MEG gain 2.3" tall Retail around $38

http://www.antenex.com/index051206.htm
http://www.antenex.com/images/catalog/SubFamilyPic/phantom_09.jpg


#3 DISC806M Unity gain Discadoo™ Low Profile Retail around $80

http://www.antenex.com/index051206.htm
http://www.antenex.com/images/catalog/SubFamilyPic/discadoo_06.jpg

 

[KT4HX]

I also put my vote in for the Larsen 150/450/800 NMO mount antenna. I bought mine at the area HRO, but I know that Scanners Unlimited has them as well. They are black in color and 17 inches tall. They present a nice small profile and do a real great job on 800. The performance is pretty decent on VHF and UHF as well. You can find them here:

http://www.scannersunlimited.com/antenna1.html

and

http://www.hamradio.com/

search NMO150/450/800 using the "Model" search field

As for cable loss, I have never changed out the cable on a mount. Never found I had to given the shortness of the cables. Since I am only trying to monitor the local 800 systems of the jurisdiction I happen to be in at the time, I have found that the stock RG-58 that comes with the mount does well enough for my needs.

 

[jonny290]

LMR195 (RG-58 size) or LMR240 (RG-8X size) is a nice upgrade if you want to cut loss in the system. Make sure you can completely desolder the old coax and attach the new stuff cleanly, though - you don't want to splice, as it'll likely have more loss than the old untouched cable by itself.