RS 800MHz antenna on BCD396T for 700MHz trunked systems?

[somery]

The topic pretty much says it all. I already have a spare RS 800MHz antenna and I'm wondering if I should use it in place of the one that came with the 396. If I was mostly scanning the 800MHz band I would go ahead and do it, but the LATIE system here in Louisiana operates mostly on the 700MHz band... so my question is: Does anyone know how the RS 800MHz antenna fares with the 700MHz band? Should I switch antennas?

Thanks!

 

[trentbob]

RS 800 ant

..... I monitor Philly (800mhz digital) and Bucks Co., Pa. (500mhz digital)... the RS 800mhz ant. is not only the best for 800mhz but works better than any other ant. for the 501mhz band also... so I bet it will do fine with 700mhz...Bob.

 

[iMONITOR]

The topic pretty much says it all. I already have a spare RS 800MHz antenna and I'm wondering if I should use it in place of the one that came with the 396. If I was mostly scanning the 800MHz band I would go ahead and do it, but the LATIE system here in Louisiana operates mostly on the 700MHz band... so my question is: Does anyone know how the RS 800MHz antenna fares with the 700MHz band? Should I switch antennas?

Thanks!

Why not just try it and compare the two?

 

[bassmkenk2508]

I went to New Orleans with my Mom a couple of weeks back and the LATIE sites (N.O. Downtown & Slidell) it did very well on the RS 800 MHz antenna. I was glad to have it with me when I went

But I must add that I did not have any other antennas at the time to use and compare when I traveled there with it.

In any case I would take a good guess that the two bands are close enough in frequency I think the antenna would do a satisfactory job on the 700 MHz band as well. ...A guess though...

 

[somery]

I always intended to just try the two antennas out and see what happened, but I wanted to know what other people's experiences were too. Anyway, it seems like the RS 800MHz antenna picks up more stuff in the 700MHz band than the antenna that came with the 396, so that's what I'm using now.

Thanks for all your suggestions and comments, guys. Very much appreciated.

 

[iMONITOR]

I always intended to just try the two antennas out and see what happened, but I wanted to know what other people's experiences were too. Anyway, it seems like the RS 800MHz antenna picks up more stuff in the 700MHz band than the antenna that came with the 396, so that's what I'm using now.

Thanks for all your suggestions and comments, guys. Very much appreciated.

The stock antennas on the BCD396T are sad. I would think the RS800 would work well for you, unless you're really on the fringe of the systems coverage. Then possibly an antenna that is designed, and tuned for the 700MHz band might help...a little.

 

[Don9330]

I have the RS 800 mhz antenna for my BC 246T and I thought that it worked pretty good. I wanted a stubby antenna so I bought an Antenex 4" stubby from Antenex online. I must say it is the best antenna I have ever had on my scanner. It has no metal connector at the base, and fit's so perfect that it doesn't look like a scanner but more like a radio. I find that my VHF freqs. are not as clear but my 800-900 mhz are sharp without as much crackle that I used to have.

 

[Universaldecoder]

I have the RS 800 mhz antenna for my BC 246T and I thought that it worked pretty good. I wanted a stubby antenna so I bought an Antenex 4" stubby from Antenex online. I must say it is the best antenna I have ever had on my scanner. It has no metal connector at the base, and fit's so perfect that it doesn't look like a scanner but more like a radio. I find that my VHF freqs. are not as clear but my 800-900 mhz are sharp without as much crackle that I used to have.

What is the model number of this Antenex?

 

[W5TWX]

It would be one of these depending on what type connector you need. This is directly from the Antenex website. Hope this helps...

Portable Antennas
TRUNKING AND SMR APPLICATIONS

Model Frequency Center Freq Gain Overall Length Whip Style Connector Type

DEXC806BN 806 - 866 MHz 836 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave BN $21.07
DEXC821BN 821 - 902 MHz 861.5 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave BN $21.07
DEXC902BN 902 - 970 MHz 936 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave BN $21.07
DEXC806BNX 806 - 866 MHz 836 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave BNX $21.07
DEXC902BNX 902 - 970 MHz 936 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave BNX $21.07
DEXC806MD 806 - 866 MHz 836 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave MD $16.91
DEXC821MD 821 - 902 MHz 861.5 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave MD $16.91
DEXC806MX 806 - 866 MHz 836 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave MX $16.91
DEXC902MX 902 - 970 MHz 936 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave MX $16.91
DEXC806SF 806 - 866 MHz 836 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave SF $21.07
DEXC902SF 902 - 970 MHz 936 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave SF $21.07
DEXC806SFJ 806 - 866 MHz 836 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave SFJ $21.07
DEXC821SFJ 821 - 902 MHz 861.5 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave SFJ $21.07
DEXC806SFU 806 - 866 MHz 836 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave SFU $21.07
DEXC821SFU 821 - 902 MHz 861.5 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave SFU $21.07
DEXC902SFU 902 - 970 MHz 936 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave SFU $21.07
DEXC806SM 806 - 866 MHz 836 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave SM $21.07
DEXC821SM 821 - 902 MHz 861.5 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave SM $21.07
DEXC902SM 902 - 970 MHz 936 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave SM $21.07
DEXC2400SM 2400 - 2500 MHz 2450 MHz Unity 6" 1/4 Wave SM $20.66
DEXC806TN 806 - 866 MHz 836 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave TN $21.07
DEXC902TN 902 - 970 MHz 936 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave TN $21.07
DEXC806TNX 806 - 866 MHz 836 MHz Unity 4 1/4 Wave TNX $21.07

Threaded Connector Guide

MX: 1/4-32 x 7/32. For Motorola® MX, P100, P110, P200, GP300, MT1000, HT10, HT50, HT600, Radius®, Saber®; Spirit®; Expo®; Kenwood® TK230, TK250, TK340, TK350; Maxon® SP120, SP2550, SL70; Midland®; Wilson® MH200.

MD: (Molded antennas only) M7 x 1.0. For GE®, MPA, MPD, MTL, TPX.

KR: 5/16-32x 3/8. For King Radio®; Ritron® Jobcom™.

HT: 5/16-32 x 1/2 For Motorola® HT200, HT210, MH, MT, MT500, MX600; older Ritron®; older niden®. Insulated base very common thread.
Coaxial Connector Guide

BN: BNC Male. For all equipment requiring BNC, including GE® MPI, PLS, PCS; Kenwood® TK-100, TK-210, TK-300; Motorola® HT440, HT90;old Maxon®; E.F. Johnson ® 577, 578

BNX: Covered BNC Male. Same as above. (molded antennas only).
For Bearcat® Trunktracker™, and the Maxon® CP series.

MR: 12-28 Female. For GE,MPR,MPX, MPS.

SF: (Molded antennas only). Special SMA Connector Female.
For Motorola® 800 MHz, MX360, STX, MTX800, HT1000, MT1000,
MT2000, MTX8000, MTX9000, VISAR; Kenwood TK430, SEA700

SFJ: (Molded antennas only). For E.F. Johnson® 8790;
Kenwood® TK480, TK481. (No skirt).

SFU: (Molded antennas only). King Radio® 800 MHz, Uniden® 800 MHz,
newer VHF/UHF, SPU416K, SPU48K.

SM: (Molded antennas only). SMA Connector Male.
For GE® Marc V™ 800 MHz, STS®, Technophone®; Standard ® HX585.

TN: TNC Male. For all equipment requiring TNC,
Speaker/mic. Icom® ICU18, Standard® HX-340.

TNX: Covered TNC Male (Molded antennas only).

 

[Don9330]

What is the model number of this Antenex?

The Antenex 800 mhz stubby antenna that I got for my BC246T was Antenex model # DEX806BNX.

I asked them about the BNX connector verses the standard scanner BNC connection that I have, and they said "that the only difference is that the base is covered with rubber just like the antenna's, and that there is NO metal showing", there is no need for an adapter either it just screwed right on.

It's a tighter fit than the standard antenna's. I must say it performs GREAT. . . I'm actually going to return my RS 800 mhz antenna today. I'm SAR and a couple of my FD buddies wanted to know how the H . . L I got a radio with our counties trunked system programed in it privately. They thought that it was a radio, and not a scanner. I had to pull it out of the holster to prove to them that it was really a scanner. . . it was pretty funny I most say. I find that it will still even pick up my FD VHF simulcast freqs. as good as the RS antenna. I'm in the LA area so most signals are reasonably strong anyways.

Hope this helps.

 

[Universaldecoder]

Is that a fairly flexible antenna or is it rigid (like a comet CH-32)?

I too have ordered from Antenex, and their antennas are top notch. My latest is the mobile Phantom Elite spec'd for 821-906 mhz. Works like magic, and it also pulls in 420 mhz pretty well.

 

[Don9330]

Is that a fairly flexible antenna or is it rigid (like a comet CH-32)?

I too have ordered from Antenex, and their antennas are top notch. My latest is the mobile Phantom Elite spec'd for 821-906 mhz. Works like magic, and it also pulls in 420 mhz pretty well.

It's flexible ! The RS 800 mhz antenna has a rigid base. The Antenex antenna has a short (say 2") flexible shaft that mold's right into the base (w/the same rubber material). Smooth lines with a crimped top. Looks like a motorolla PD or FD antenna. I wouldn't be supprised if motorolla gets their antenna's from antenex. Like you said their stuff is top notch. When you look at how the antenna meets up against the scanner you'd think that it came with it and wasn't removable.

 

[Universaldecoder]

For the OP...

The topic pretty much says it all. I already have a spare RS 800MHz antenna and I'm wondering if I should use it in place of the one that came with the 396. If I was mostly scanning the 800MHz band I would go ahead and do it, but the LATIE system here in Louisiana operates mostly on the 700MHz band... so my question is: Does anyone know how the RS 800MHz antenna fares with the 700MHz band? Should I switch antennas?

Thanks!

Hello OP,

I don't know of any readily available portable antenna out their that is tuned to the 700 mhz band.

You have in my view three options...
1. telescoping Antenna - Get one that is less then 7 inches when fully retracted. This will allow you to manually tune the antenna for a specific freq.

2. Wideband One Piece Flexible type- You're somewhat taking a chance on this one. Although manufacturers may advertise as such...they are usually good for only two ranges based on two center freqs. Like 144/440 mhz...etc...

3. Custom Made- Antenex, Larsen, and Maxrad...plus a few others offer this service. Price is very reasonable, and usually it's the wait time that gets ya. 3-4 wks. They may have 700 mhz antennas already cut and made. Email them for info. I'd start with antenex. They are very responsive to us little guys.

Or...you can take a chance on a 800 mhz antenna. If you arer fairly closeby to a strong signal, it probably will work fine (5 bars etc....), but at distance an antenna tuned to a center frequency that is close to what your listening to would be best.

Good Luck....