MRK Antenna

[Muxlow]

Do any of you know if someone has a better 800mhz antenna for a mrk out? I have the stock one for it and it works good, But just a wondering if any company or what not has a better one for them

 

[ElroyJetson]

I think that Larsen makes them ALL. The ones you get from the local M/A-Com dealer usually ARE in a Larsen bag.

What I would recommend, if you can get it, is to get a 5/8 wave antenna. They make
a considerable performance increase. They're common for Motorola radios, but really
pretty rare for GE radios.

Incidentally, an M-RK antenna is the same as an M-PD, M-PA, Jaguar 700P, LPE, 7100IP,
and possibly other antennas. Same thing, different part number...possibly. They are
interchangeable so long as the're in the right band.

Elroy

 

[SCPD]

You might also take a look at Tessco web site. They have several selections of antennas for an MRK radio.

www.tessco.com

 

[flecom]

I think that Larsen makes them ALL. The ones you get from the local M/A-Com dealer usually ARE in a Larsen bag.

What I would recommend, if you can get it, is to get a 5/8 wave antenna. They make
a considerable performance increase. They're common for Motorola radios, but really
pretty rare for GE radios.

Incidentally, an M-RK antenna is the same as an M-PD, M-PA, Jaguar 700P, LPE, 7100IP,
and possibly other antennas. Same thing, different part number...possibly. They are
interchangeable so long as the're in the right band.

Elroy

I think you mean the 1/2 wave antenna?

like

http://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=474035&eventPage=1

 

[rmiles]

I think that Larsen makes them ALL.

Actually, most, if not all of the "OEM" M/A-Com branded antennas are made by Centurion, which is now Antenex/Laird Technolgies. Centurion also made most of their "OEM" batteries as well, and still does today. I've been buying directly from them for years, cutting out the Ericsson / M/A-Com middle man. Until last year, Antenex was their largest non-OEM distributor.

 

[Muxlow]

About how much more distance could i get with one of them antennas over the stock one?
If i drive about 40km i can pick up another edacs system now with the stock. Would i be able to get it from here with the aftermarket one?or would it bring the drive down to about 20km or so?

 

[flecom]

well the 1/2 wave antenna dosent look for a ground plane, sooo in theory it should work pretty well on the handheld... i havent done any A/B testing so i couldent tell you for sure, but i would think it should definately perform better... i dont think literally 2x as good but definately better...

are you using it mobile or just handheld? if your mobile i would pick up an EVC from eBay (they are cheap) and then you can pop a mag-mount on the roof or something which would definately give you better recieve...

 

[Muxlow]

It's for both. I have a bunch of orions but none in the 800mhz edacs range. Cant seem to find just the trunk mount radio for a good price anyplace.
I do have the enhanced car charger that i could hoot a mobile antenna to. What would be a good mobile antenna to hook up to it?

 

[flecom]

well if you want a mag-mount you can pick up a larson MS3E800TNC its on page 6 here http://www.larsen-antennas.com/docfiles/ASB8/Mobile/CellularSMRData.pdf

or a similar antenna in whatever mount you want (NMO etc)

 

[Muxlow]

Do you have a link to a EVC?

 

[flecom]

well i used to see them all the time on ebay, i searched around and i guess whoever was selling them dosent have any there at the moment...

if you want PM me and i can sell you one...

 

[rmiles]

The best all around antenna I've used on any M/A-Com 800MHz trunking portable has been the EXP806MD from Centurion, which is the exact same antenna as the OEM M/A-com ***C5K. It's an injection molded, end feed 1/2 wave 2.5db gain antenna. When Laird acquired Centurion, they changed the appearance, but this is still the current data sheet. It's better than the 1/4 wave, but don't expect it to work wonders. I am able to receive EDACS systems from as far away as 35miles with it.

http://www.lairdtech.com/downloads/exp_specs.pdf

Tessco does carry it. http://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=467379&eventPage=1

Don't be fooled by thier stock photo of the EXE dipole, if you order this one, you'll get the EXP.