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Laird WPD136M6C-001 Performance Woes

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KK6ZTE

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Try the PCTWSLMR

My first run-in was an LPF Law Enforcement cruiser that got an APX 8500.

I ordered one for my own truck, it doesn't look too out of place.

Performance is fantastic, looks great on antenna analyzer, and no performance loss (even on 42MHz monitoring) compared to the much longer ham-crap Diamond it replaced.
 

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alcahuete

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Try the PCTWSLMR

My first run-in was an LPF Law Enforcement cruiser that got an APX 8500.

I ordered one for my own truck, it doesn't look too out of place.

Performance is fantastic, looks great on antenna analyzer, and no performance loss (even on 42MHz monitoring) compared to the much longer ham-crap Diamond it replaced.

Doesn't look bad at all!

I might have to give it a try. I've been doing some pretty extensive testing with the Laird lately, and I'm still undecided. I go back and forth between it and a simple 1/4 wave, and the 1/4 does so well in comparison.
 

ResQguy

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Try the PCTWSLMR

My first run-in was an LPF Law Enforcement cruiser that got an APX 8500.

I didn't see it mentioned, but that is the PCTel part number for the antenna that ships with the 8500 (AN000131A01).
 

jfr

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Jan 10, 2004
Messages
74
Location
Walpole, Ma
My AN000131A01 (PCTel) performs equal and many times better than the BMAXSCAN1000 all-band it replaced. It is a rather bulbous antenna though. :)

-JR
 

alcahuete

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After 6 or so months of extensive testing, I think it's time to put it on eBay and go for the PCTEL.

At almost exactly 20 miles to a base unit with flat terrain, with matching XPR5550e's, here are the consistent results:

4.5 dBi PCTEL - 3 bars
1/4 wave 6" unity gain - 2 bars
WPD136M6C-001 - 1 bar

That's both on the RX and TX. I'm not sure how it could be performing so badly, but I've tried a few, and all perform identically on UHF. VHF isn't much different.
 

rescue161

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We have hundreds of the PCTWSLMR in use here and they do work very well. They have a large base that is not forgiving if you forget that it's on top of your vehicle. I've seen many trucks come in with the roofs peeled back after they drove under a low-lying branch or through a parking garage. They are used with the XG100M here and also have a Harris part number, but I don't have it handy right now. I do know that Harris charges $160 for this antenna, which I think is a rip-off, considering that any number of other sources has it available for under $100.
 
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