RS 20-012 Mobile antenna

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KW4SL

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Is it possible to use the RS mobile antenna as a base antenna? Does it need to be on something metal to act as a ground plain?

Thanks
 
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bandaid said:
Is it possible to use the RS mobile antenna as a base antenna? Does it need to be on something metal to act as a ground plain?

Thanks

It most certainly can be used at a base antenna, and is a great option if putting up an outdoor antenna is out of the question.

It is a good idea to stick it to something metal so it will have a ground plane. A cookie sheet or filing cabinet work well.

EDIT: 20-012 isn't a valid RS SKU, do you mean the 20-032 mobile antenna?
 

NYRHKY94

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I use that exact model as a base antenna for the BC370CRS I have up in the bedroom. It sits on a metal surface on the window sill. Works very well for me.
 

loumaag

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The 20-012 was the original antenna and the coax terminated in a banana plug. I own one and it is worse than no antenna at all (seriously) on VHF and 800 MHz. That is probably why it had to be modified to work, I never bothered with the mod. The 20-032 is supposed to be the same antenna with the coax terminating in a BNC connector, but it really can't be exactly the same since most people claim it works to some extent.
 

MOTORHEAD3902

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I have had examples of both the BNC terminated antenna and the M_torola-terminated antenna. They have all been satisfactory performers. Sorry to hear some folks have had crappy luck with them...
 

ScanDaBands

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I know this has probably been posted before but just to help you out , this helps too. :)



techtennanv4.jpg
 

SAR923

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I'm also using it in the bedroom, mounted on a cookie sheet on top of one of the towers that are part of our bedroom set. I did the mods pictured above and, while they seemed to help on VHF-Hi, I really couldn't tell the difference on any of the other bands. I'm not sure I'd want to use this as a mobile antenna just because of the construction quality but it does a good job with my 2096 without causing the desense that's so common with outdoor antennas.
 

photovision

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(seriously)..................

loumaag said:
The 20-012 was the original antenna and the coax terminated in a banana plug. I own one and it is worse than no antenna at all (seriously) on VHF and 800 MHz. That is probably why it had to be modified to work, I never bothered with the mod. The 20-032 is supposed to be the same antenna with the coax terminating in a BNC connector, but it really can't be exactly the same since most people claim it works to some extent.


I also have had both and were equal in performance. Quite good actually. Did you run yours with no coax? :>
 

loumaag

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photovision said:
I also have had both and were equal in performance. Quite good actually. Did you run yours with no coax? :>
No, actually (according to the antenna analyser) the 20-012 is okay.

I used to live about 4 blocks from the county SO and listening on the input side of the repeaters (So. Dakota TRS), I could hear the SO dispatch with no antenna, if I hooked up the 20-012, that would go away. I could hear absolutely nothing with it hooked up, not even the WX radio. I could hear the mobile extender of the state trooper who lived 2 houses down when he was parked at home for lunch or something, but that was UHF. Hence my conclusion that the 20-012 was worse then no antenna at all. :wink:
 
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