So to begin with I apologize for my ignorance, I'm not good with antennas and such. So I heard that using no antenna/the wrong antenna could seriously damage the Tx board in my XTS5000, but I wanted to get a more compact antenna like the one here Awesome Antenna VHF Motorola Stubby Radio XTS3000 XTS5000 APX7000 XTS2500 2X | eBay but wanted to ask to make sure using a smaller antenna on my XTS5000 VHF on high power would not damage my unit. I'd appreciate the help.
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That looks like a mislabeled 800mhz stubby antenna. It doesn't work that well on 800mhz, definitely wouldn't work well on VHF.
Antennas on a portable radio are, IMHO, a sacrifice. I consider them no more than a rubber duck 50ohm dummy load. The standard Motorola VHF antenna, cut for your frequency split, should be okay.
Antennas on a portable radio are, IMHO, a sacrifice. I consider them no more than a rubber duck 50ohm dummy load. The standard Motorola VHF antenna, cut for your frequency split, should be okay.
I mean as long as I could find a stubby antenna that wouldn't damage the Tx board in my radio i'd be ok with acceptable range loses. I mainly use the radios close range and I have had issues hiding a tall antenna under a suite.
Motorola probably makes frequency specific stubby antennas for what you need. The antenna, you linked to, appeared to be a 800mhz stubby. I base that opinion on the pic and the description of the antenna posted by the seller. It ships from China so there may be a language/spelling issue there. If you've ever read any of their Chinese to English translated radio manuals you would understand
If you're not concerned with antenna performance then a stubby antenna would be okay. Be sure the antenna you purchase has the frequency coverage you need. The radio can suffer from high SWR if the antenna isn't tuned for your frequencies.
If you're not concerned with antenna performance then a stubby antenna would be okay. Be sure the antenna you purchase has the frequency coverage you need. The radio can suffer from high SWR if the antenna isn't tuned for your frequencies.
I'm using a shorter stock Motorola VHF antenna that was intended for a MotoTRBO portable and it works great. Keep in mind however that I'm still within the antennas frequency range and well within the coverage area of my system. I'm sure at the fringe performance would start to suffer.
Motorola probably makes frequency specific stubby antennas for what you need. The antenna, you linked to, appeared to be a 800mhz stubby. I base that opinion on the pic and the description of the antenna posted by the seller. It ships from China so there may be a language/spelling issue there. If you've ever read any of their Chinese to English translated radio manuals you would understand
If you're not concerned with antenna performance then a stubby antenna would be okay. Be sure the antenna you purchase has the frequency coverage you need. The radio can suffer from high SWR if the antenna isn't tuned for your frequencies.
How would I be able to tell if an antenna is tuned for VHF? Do I have to buy an SWR meter?
That antenna will not work for ........ I personally use a Motorola visar antenna it is not a stubby but much shorter and flexable. It works just as well as a 7" standard antenna. Part #8505834W02 8505834W02: Antenna 150.8-162mhz Helical 5"
W8RMH
Feed Provider Since 2012
There are a variety of Motorola VHF antennas available from The Antenna Farm
Take a look at PMAD4049 (Mototrbo VHF) in google. Probably what you're looking for. As another poster recommended; the Visar antenna is great for a smaller antenna. More "whip" like in nature but smaller than the standard. Be aware the Trbo antenna is very stiff with no flexibility, unlike the Visar antenna.
N4KVE
Member
When I wanted a shorter VHF HT antenna, I originally went looking for the Visar antenna. But then 2 Trbo antennas came up for sale on a radio forum. Yes, they are not as flexible as the Visar antenna, but they are slightly shorter. They work perfectly, & I have not noticed any signal loss vs the long armpit scratcher I used to use.
PMAD4094 - Motorola Solutions
PMAD4094 - Motorola Solutions
Stubby antennas simply don't work as well as standard antennas. You may elect to use one but expect performance to suffer a little bit.
My rule of thumb is a 40% loss of reception when dealing with stubby antennas.
The exception to that rule is if you have it on a speaker mic on your shoulder. Then it can be almost as good as a normal antenna on your radio at waist level.
If your monitoring a channel / system that has saturated coverage or your close to a tower and you dont travel outside its normal coverage area then a stubby will work for you.
If you drive around a lot, or often get a little bit of static or weak signal then a stubby wont be a good idea.
The exception to that rule is if you have it on a speaker mic on your shoulder. Then it can be almost as good as a normal antenna on your radio at waist level.
If your monitoring a channel / system that has saturated coverage or your close to a tower and you dont travel outside its normal coverage area then a stubby will work for you.
If you drive around a lot, or often get a little bit of static or weak signal then a stubby wont be a good idea.
Yup totally get that, I will only be dealing with short range (Less then a quarter mile) MURS while using this antenna.
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