What NMO antenna is best for mobile VHF 150MHz-170MHz

[2ofeverything]

I am new to HAM and am putting a MSC2000 Motorola with Emergency/marine VHF frequencies in my work truck (logger) I live in a commercial fishing community in Alaska and that's how we all keep in touch. Basically someone's real world experience with NMO antennas that work the best for land to sea/sea to land comms. I am aware of the laws, so please just some friendly advice needed, thank you. Again this an Emergency setup, not for "rag chewing"

 

[ladn]

Since you're covering a rather broad frequency range (144-148 MHz for ham and about 156 MHz for marine) you'll need an antenna with wide bandwidth. A 1/4 VHF whip (about 18"-19" long) is broadband. It's basically a length of thin stainless steel rod in an NMO mount. Available in chrome or black finish with a cost under about $25. Stick with a name brand like PC-Tel or Pulse-Larsen.

Some users here, like @mmckenna, are using the EMWave products with good results. These are more flexible with a built in spring at the base but at a slightly higher cost.

 

[buddrousa]

Using a 5/8 wave larson would give you the most gain but would also stick up the highest and run the risk od damage from trees.
A 1/4 wave would be wider band width lower in height but less gain.
Then you have the new LOW PROFILE Stealth Tuned Low Profile Antenna for VHF

 

[2ofeverything]

Since you're covering a rather broad frequency range (144-148 MHz for ham and about 156 MHz for marine) you'll need an antenna with wide bandwidth. A 1/4 VHF whip (about 18"-19" long) is broadband. It's basically a length of thin stainless steel rod in an NMO mount. Available in chrome or black finish with a cost under about $25. Stick with a name brand like PC-Tel or Pulse-Larsen.

Some users here, like @mmckenna, are using the EMWave products with good results. These are more flexible with a built in spring at the base but at a slightly higher cost.

Much appreciated, since it seems like these are not too bad on price, I may just get a "stubby", 18"-19" and the biggest one that I can feasibly put up there with the truck parked. I guess brand(s) would be the next question

 

[2ofeverything]

Using a 5/8 wave larson would give you the most gain but would also stick up the highest and run the risk od damage from trees.
A 1/4 wave would be wider band width lower in height but less gain.
Then you have the new LOW PROFILE Stealth Tuned Low Profile Antenna for VHF

I like that Stealth one for her Durango, with a Motorola MSC200 would that transmit about 10 miles from a winding road to a base station? We live in an Alaskan coastal town.

 

[mmckenna]

The wider useable bandwidth of a quarter wave antenna would serve you better.
A 5/8th's wave would have more gain, but that's probably not going to be beneficial along the coastline, and the extra length will find all your low tree branches. Probably won't hurt the antenna, but it's usually not necessary for that sort of application.

I've almost always run 1/4 wave antennas on my radios. Those radios are usually loaded with not only amateur radio stuff, but work radio systems. Nice low SWR across the band, and the radiation pattern of the antenna works well.

My choice for antenna would be:

NMOWBQB Pulse-Larsen 1/4 Wave whip with spring 150 - 170 MHz Omni antenna NMO Base

The Pulse-Larsen NMOWBQB is a 1/4 Wave whip with spring Omnidirectional Antenna operating at 150 - 170 MHz with NMO Mount Base This Antenna Requires a NMO Mount. Please click here to find all Thru-Hole NMO mounts or Magnetic NMO Mounts we carry.

www.arcantenna.com

I've run the Larsen antennas for 30+ years, both on my personal vehicles and at work. Never had any issues with them.

EMFLX-M10001: MOBILE, 1/4 Wave - VHF/UHF 108-512 MHz - Poly Spring & Std. Base

MOBILE, 1/4 Wave - VHF/UHF 108-512 MHz - Poly Spring & Std. Base

www.arcantenna.com

Recently, I've been using EM Wave brand antennas and am pretty well impressed. The base sealing design is a bit better than Larsen, but either one will work just fine. I've started using the EM Wave antennas at work, and so far I'm happy.

 

[mmckenna]

Much appreciated, since it seems like these are not too bad on price, I may just get a "stubby", 18"-19" and the biggest one that I can feasibly put up there with the truck parked. I guess brand(s) would be the next question

The longer antennas won't do you much up there. I've spent a lot of time in Alaska along the coast. The longer/higher gain antennas won't get you through the mountains. The design focuses more power at the horizon, which can work against you in the tall mountains.

Certainly something you could experiment with, but after decades of doing this, I only run 1/4 waves now. Just never saw an improvement with higher gain antennas.

 

[mmckenna]

I like that Stealth one for her Durango, with a Motorola MSC200 would that transmit about 10 miles from a winding road to a base station? We live in an Alaskan coastal town.

I would STRONGLY discourage use of those stealth antennas on VHF. They will not work well. It is impossible to fit an efficient VHF antenna into something the size of a salt shaker and expect it to work well.
They are also very narrow banded, and won't work well over your listed range.
Also, known to not handle power very well. If these are mid power MCS-2000's, they might be OK. Don't try them with a high power MCS.

I wouldn't expect 10 miles out of that antenna unless it was on top of a mountain. 10 miles of twisty mountain roads and you'll have issues.

Save yourself the disappointment, go with the 1/4 wave.

 

[2ofeverything]

Roger that, very much appreciated. By the way, I have been researching Ham stuff now for awhile, just now getting ready to take the Tech exam, but wanted to let you know that I have written down your advice from your other forum inputs so much that I probably could fill a file folder! I just have notes everywhere! I will order these now1 have an awesome day!

 

[prcguy]

If amateur and marine frequencies are needed then a 5/8 wave will not handle the band width. I've used broad band 1/2 wave antennas from Laird and other mfrs that worked very well and provide a little more gain than a 1/4 wave whip. Here is one example from Laird.

Laird External Antennas/TE - 136-174 Wideband No Tune Antenna - B1360W - Tessco

The Laird B1360W wide-band mobile load coil antenna operates within the frequency range 136 – 174 MHz. This VHF mobile antenna features unity gain and requires no tuning. Maximum power input is 100 W. The high performance 1/2 wave antenna is designed with a special UV treated radome to resist...

www.tessco.com

 

[mmckenna]

I've used broad band 1/2 wave antennas from Laird and other mfrs that worked very well and provide a little more gain than a 1/4 wave whip. Here is one example from Laird.

I've run one of those (with a spring) on the roll cage of a UTV with good results.

 

[2ofeverything]

Thank you, I am going to go ahead and order the ones that Mr. mmckenna is using, after 3 tours over seas in the military I have learned to use whatever the guys that put their lives on the line use. Lucky to have a wife that does not complain if I spend money on whatever is the best,(within budgetary reason)

​

 

[2ofeverything]

If amateur and marine frequencies are needed then a 5/8 wave will not handle the band width. I've used broad band 1/2 wave antennas from Laird and other mfrs that worked very well and provide a little more gain than a 1/4 wave whip. Here is one example from Laird.

Laird External Antennas/TE - 136-174 Wideband No Tune Antenna - B1360W - Tessco

The Laird B1360W wide-band mobile load coil antenna operates within the frequency range 136 – 174 MHz. This VHF mobile antenna features unity gain and requires no tuning. Maximum power input is 100 W. The high performance 1/2 wave antenna is designed with a special UV treated radome to resist...

www.tessco.com

This one does have the

If amateur and marine frequencies are needed then a 5/8 wave will not handle the band width. I've used broad band 1/2 wave antennas from Laird and other mfrs that worked very well and provide a little more gain than a 1/4 wave whip. Here is one example from Laird.

https://www.tessco.com/product/136-174-wideband-no-tune-antenna-3153

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If amateur and marine frequencies are needed then a 5/8 wave will not handle the band width. I've used broad band 1/2 wave antennas from Laird and other mfrs that worked very well and provide a little more gain than a 1/4 wave whip. Here is one example from Laird.

Laird External Antennas/TE - 136-174 Wideband No Tune Antenna - B1360W - Tessco

The Laird B1360W wide-band mobile load coil antenna operates within the frequency range 136 – 174 MHz. This VHF mobile antenna features unity gain and requires no tuning. Maximum power input is 100 W. The high performance 1/2 wave antenna is designed with a special UV treated radome to resist...

www.tessco.com

I think the one you suggested that Mr. mmckenna uses on his utv would be nice, but trying to find a seller?

 

[mmckenna]

I think the one you suggested that Mr. mmckenna uses on his utv would be nice, but trying to find a seller?

B1442NS: 144-174 MHz Mobile Base Coil NMO Mount Antenna With Spring-No Metalic Ground Plane Required

The Laird / Antenex B1442NS is a 55 inch long, Chrome base coil, omnidirectional whip antenna for operation in the 144-174 MHz VHF band, with NMO base and spring. No metal ground plane required. *This Antenna Requires a NMO Mount. Please click here to find all Thru-Hole NMO mounts or Magnetic...

www.arcantenna.com

The whip comes long and will need to be trimmed before using it. It will include a cut chart to tune is fairly close. Somewhere around 35-36 inch whip length (not including the spring) will put you in the middle between the 2 meter amateur band and the top of the VHF marine band.

 

[mmckenna]

If your wife wants a lower profile antenna, then get one of the 1/4 wave antennas for her vehicle. That'll let you do a comparison.

 

[2ofeverything]

She is fine with what you recommended, just was intimidated with my novice choice of a 54" whip up on her Durango. I think for now and budget, the first one you suggested, the Pulse-Larsen 1/4 wave would be a good one. Researching how to install this without messing things up!

 

[kayn1n32008]

Using a 5/8 wave larson would give you the most gain but would also stick up the highest and run the risk od damage from trees.
A 1/4 wave would be wider band width lower in height but less gain.
Then you have the new LOW PROFILE Stealth Tuned Low Profile Antenna for VHF

A NMO-150 is the WRONG antenna to be using. 150-174 coverage is going to need either a 1/4 wave or 1/2 wave antenna to cover 24Mhz with an acceptable match

My choices would be:
1. EM Wave wide band 1/4 wave.
2. Larsen NMO-WB

 

[2ofeverything]

B1442NS: 144-174 MHz Mobile Base Coil NMO Mount Antenna With Spring-No Metalic Ground Plane Required

The Laird / Antenex B1442NS is a 55 inch long, Chrome base coil, omnidirectional whip antenna for operation in the 144-174 MHz VHF band, with NMO base and spring. No metal ground plane required. *This Antenna Requires a NMO Mount. Please click here to find all Thru-Hole NMO mounts or Magnetic...

www.arcantenna.com

The whip comes long and will need to be trimmed before using it. It will include a cut chart to tune is fairly close. Somewhere around 35-36 inch whip length (not including the spring) will put you in the middle between the 2 meter amateur band and the top of the VHF marine band.

Those are out of stock, what about this one B1443S: 144-174 MHz Mobile Base Coil NMO Mount Antenna With Spring- Metalic Ground Plane Required

 

[2ofeverything]

Those are out of stock, what about this one B1443S: 144-174 MHz Mobile Base Coil NMO Mount Antenna With Spring- Metalic Ground Plane Required

I got it sorted with the Technician at the company that you had recommended, he advised the same ones and I just got all three vehicles lined out for $200! I truly am grateful for everyone's input and help, knowledge is power! Stay safe, stay warm!

 

[mmckenna]

I got it sorted with the Technician at the company that you had recommended, he advised the same ones and I just got all three vehicles lined out for $200! I truly am grateful for everyone's input and help, knowledge is power! Stay safe, stay warm!

Great, let us know how it turns out.

You really want to install a permanent NMO mount to make the best use of what you have. It's not too difficult, just takes some time. Durangos have been used a police cars, so lots of info on installing in those. American full size pickups are some of the easier vehicles to install in. I've done a lot of GM and Ford trucks.