whats the pros and cons for a VHF stubby over a full lenght antenna?
pros cons
- Thread starter BryanTheRed
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Hi all,
To put it simply, the only "pro" is a "stubby" better known as a rubber duck is it's short and flexible as to avoid physical injury to the user in portable operation. All the rest are "cons" so you can take it from there.
To put it simply, the only "pro" is a "stubby" better known as a rubber duck is it's short and flexible as to avoid physical injury to the user in portable operation. All the rest are "cons" so you can take it from there.
Also, it makes the scanner more compact, and easier to carry. But if your trying to listen to anything more than a few miles away, your pretty much screwed. 
I am refering to antennas on a VHF radio. We use them for EMS and rescue and seeing as how my department is in the city about 2 miles from the repeater and dispatch I didnt think a stubby would be a big draw back. Is this asumption right?
djeplett
Member
It's very hard to accurately predict if it will be a drawback as there are too many factors to consider.
But normally if you are that close (within 2 miles) you should be OK with a rubber duck antenna. I only have the stock rubber duck on my VX-7R ham HT and with 5 watts I can hit my local 2 meter repeater consistently which is 10 miles away. Then I can be inside a house in the basement only 2 miles away and not hit it. Line of sight and what kind of structure you're in all must be taken into account.
It's just so hard to say for certain if you will be OK. Best thing to do is to get the rubber duck and bring along the old full length and run with the duck for a while to see how it performs. If you have problems you can always quickly switch back to the full length.
But normally if you are that close (within 2 miles) you should be OK with a rubber duck antenna. I only have the stock rubber duck on my VX-7R ham HT and with 5 watts I can hit my local 2 meter repeater consistently which is 10 miles away. Then I can be inside a house in the basement only 2 miles away and not hit it. Line of sight and what kind of structure you're in all must be taken into account.
It's just so hard to say for certain if you will be OK. Best thing to do is to get the rubber duck and bring along the old full length and run with the duck for a while to see how it performs. If you have problems you can always quickly switch back to the full length.
Al42
Member
Stubby - 1"? 6"?jvrs311 said:
If you're bent over a patient and the 1" stubby is pressed against your body - or against the metal part of a stretcher - your radio might be useless.
A 6" VHF rubber duck doesn't hinder you much, and you have a better chance of the radio working when you need it.
it has a stock 6 inch from motorola and I bought a 3.5 inch.
Hi again,
"...my department is in the city about 2 miles from the repeater..."
Great, that's exactly what can be expected under average conditions. Remember that a repeater is located in the best place possible, on a high building, broadcast tower, mountain, etc. and often has several satellite receivers around the area connected through a voter which selects the receiver having the best signal. With a powerful (up to 250W) transmitter and high gain antenna at high elevation and a receiver nearby the portable the system overall works great. The same can't be said for you since "your milage may vary".
A rubber duck is great for a "walking portable" but hams have another definition of "portable". One may be simply a hand held or anything up to and including a "big rig" connected to a battery, generator or other power source and any kind of antenna system that can be set up and taken down easily. That should give you some ideas about portable operation, the equipment fits the need.
"...my department is in the city about 2 miles from the repeater..."
Great, that's exactly what can be expected under average conditions. Remember that a repeater is located in the best place possible, on a high building, broadcast tower, mountain, etc. and often has several satellite receivers around the area connected through a voter which selects the receiver having the best signal. With a powerful (up to 250W) transmitter and high gain antenna at high elevation and a receiver nearby the portable the system overall works great. The same can't be said for you since "your milage may vary".
A rubber duck is great for a "walking portable" but hams have another definition of "portable". One may be simply a hand held or anything up to and including a "big rig" connected to a battery, generator or other power source and any kind of antenna system that can be set up and taken down easily. That should give you some ideas about portable operation, the equipment fits the need.
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