Antenna Questions Spectra or Valor Pmm3b

[johnnybravo]

Hello Guys,

A few weeks ago I bought a Spectra moble antenna off a recomondation from the local Communion store.. I mounted it on my car and seems to be good http://www.rfwiz.com/AustinAntenna/AustinAntennaSpectra.htm
like 80 bucks

Then off a recomondation from this site I bought a cheap mag mount like 16 bucks shipped
Valor Pmm3b
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/1190.html



And I have to say, I really dont see anything Dramaticly different, Wondering if I wasted money on the 80 dollar antenna. Or is it cause I dont live in the sticks. I dont notice it


What is a good test to do to see which antenna is giving me the best over all performance,

The only thing I thought was to have two of the same scanners and on on one attenna and one on the other and see which one gets the most. But I cant see right now dropping money on another 369t

is there a way to really test which gets more signal, comparing the Valor Pmm3b, the spectra, or the rubber duck.


I was really expecting to see a huge difference.
I already Have a anttenna for the house, and wonder if its worth even putting it up. Will i see a difference.


My scanner is programmed with basicaly just Police/Fire/EMS and a few other odd ball freq in my town,



??????????

Any thought

 

[johnnybravo]

well I took the new mag off the truck, Placed it on the seat next to me and it seemed to be working as well as it did on the roof, and matter of fact as good as my spectra... Maybe this scanners is just so hot it doesnt even need a external antanna............. ANy input???

 

[SIMON11]

I don't think manufacturers quote any gain figures for mag mount! So I suppose they could be the same. If you give them both a good test you will know.


Simon

 

[johnnybravo]

I don't think manufacturers quote any gain figures for mag mount! So I suppose they could be the same. If you give them both a good test you will know.


Simon

So good poss I wasted Some cash on getting the spectra

 

[Skypilot007]

I wasn't all that happy with the spectra mobile performance. I had it on my car and mounted on the roof of my house with the optional nmo mounting poll with beldon 9913 cable. I listen to UHF and 800mhz most of the time.

 

[LarrySC]

One test is to check all NOAA Wx Ch's. Base/Mobile or whatever. See if there are any at a distance you can hear. From my location I can hear 3 others in addition to a local one that I can see. I test rubber ducks/mobiles/and base first on these freqs.

 

[K5MAR]

I personally love the Spectra's performance, but I routinely monitor agencies in all four bands at a considerable distance from me, some of which are simplex. If all of your interests are local, and they use repeaters, then you probably bought more antenna than you needed.

You can see if the seller takes returns, or put it in the For Sale forum.

Mark S.

 

[KC4ZEX]

The Spectra is a lot better quality antenna and was designed for transceiver use. professional long term rugged service at up to 100 watts transmit power. The Pmm is very cheap made probably last 2 or 3 years if your careful with it. It was only designed for a scanner or a handheld Ht at less than 10 watts with the 9 ft of mini 174 coax. If you are in a fairly high signal area you probably wouldn't notice much difference in receive on the scanner. But drive out of town 25 miles or listen to a simplex system not a repeater and you will see the difference.

 

[johnnybravo]

ok so bottom line is the spectra is really the best one, And onday Ill see the difference.... Good enough for me..... I keep the cheappy if im in the girls car or one of my freinds