What would be the best mobile antenna for a pro-528?

[Gonzowerke]

Hey All,

I am not happy with the little rubber chewtoy RS calls an antenna on my handheld pro-528.

I was wondering what antenna I can mount on my 2000 Jeep Wrangler that will pull in the signals best. Even though it is a handheld, 99% of my scanning happens on the road or
when I'm parked at a jobsite monitoring construction activities. I have a lightbar on top
with my Whelen beacon, FUBA FM antenna and Firestick II for the CB. Since I have XM, I can easily ditch the FUBA as I really don't listen to the wasteland that is commercial radio these days. That leaves me a 2"X2" tab with a 7/8" mounting hole free for a scanner antenna.

Thanks in advance!

Gonzo out.

 

[kc8zdf]

What are the freq's you mostly listen too? Vhf Uhf 800mhz stuff like that let me know and I will shoot you some links to what are good antennas for scanner. Just to get started for now till I find out what you listen too I use a comtelco 5db gain 825mhz to 896mhz for Apco 25 digital stuff and for vhf uhf I use a mfj 2m 440cm antenna that is made my mfj works great.

Here is link to comtelco antenna.http://www.rfwiz.com/Comtelco/ComtelcoMobile6.htm
Its the antenna all the way to right in picture.
Here is link to mfj antenna. This antenna from hro or aes actully comes with a pl-259 connector and a bnc adapter for scanning so just let me know what freqs your listing to but theres a start.

kc8zdf Brian

 

[Gonzowerke]

Sorry it has been so long.....I have been really busy lately and have not been able to get online.

I am trying to pickup basically anything I can. I have an analog unit, and seem to be getting be
getting coms between 33mhz and 550mhz. So I guess a good all arounder for now. I have been wondering if all the "good stuff" around me has gone digital,even though the database says otherwise, but I suspect a crappy antenna instead.

Thanks!

Gonzo out.

 

[mjthomas59]

You might try a 5/8 wave VHF antenna if you are looking for something all around but not concerned with 800mhz. The lowband performance is good, and UHF isn't bad.

I personally run a Larsen nmo150c, and i also have a tram with the same specs which can be had for a little less than the larsen. I buy from theantennafarm.com, but larsen and tram are available many places so you may just want to do a google search.

If you are interested in 800mhz though i recommend something like a maxrad 1000. It is a good all band antenna which might suit your needs. I've seen them go for about 30 bucks, not sure if that is the best price or not though.

 

[N4JNW]

RadioShack has a magnetic mount scanner antenna that is rumored to work really good. It's sorta tall, and has 2 coils in the middle.

Steer clear from the glass mount RadioShack scanner antenna... Word on the street is, they blow..

 

[Gonzowerke]

How about this one?
http://www.rfwiz.com/FireStikScannerAntennas.htm

I have one of their CB antennas and am happy with it.......

 

[N4JNW]

I don't have any experience with FireStik scanner antennae. I've had many of their CB antennae however, and I must admit, I wasn't overly impressed with mine.

RadioShack's magnetic mount I mentioned is a real good antenna. It looks funky, but funky works well. I think there's another smaller magnet mount antenna, that closely resembles a cellular style phone antenna. Universal Radio has them. It has a couple coils on the middle, and is 14 or 16" tall, I can't remember. It's only like $20.00. Might be worth a try, check it out for yourself.

ScannerMaster also has a selection of mobile antennae that might interest you.

 

[Gonzowerke]

I will give the RS one a try then! I can always convert it from Magnet mount I'm guessing.....

Is this the beast?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...Type/Scanner/HAM&fbc=1&parentPage=family

Gonzo out.

 

[N4JNW]

Yes. That's it. Hey - Try it, and if you don't like it, return it. Just be sure to hold on to your recipt..

 

[Gonzowerke]

Yes. That's it. Hey - Try it, and if you don't like it, return it. Just be sure to hold on to your recipt..

Oh, I like it! I am hearing way more comms now! Only complaint is the magnet mount is hella weak! I need to convert it to a permanent mount so it will not pop off when I am offroading in the Jeep. As I am a inspector, I am always offroading everyday on construction sites.
This will be easy to do, the magnet mount unscrews easily.....


Thanks for all the help everyone!


Gonzo out

 

[N4JNW]

Glad we could help. Enjoy, and remember to check out the database.. It's updated with new frequencies all the time. Probably some there you don't even have programmed in yet! Go check it out, and get the most out of your scanner setup!

 

[toddwess]

Whip Antenna

I have a PRO-97 and I use this antenna . . .

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...Type/Scanner/HAM&fbc=1&parentPage=family


It's almost the same size as the one you got with the magnet mount, but it goes anywhere. Works great!

Todd

Oh, I like it! I am hearing way more comms now! Only complaint is the magnet mount is hella weak! I need to convert it to a permanent mount so it will not pop off when I am offroading in the Jeep. As I am a inspector, I am always offroading everyday on construction sites.
This will be easy to do, the magnet mount unscrews easily.....


Thanks for all the help everyone!


Gonzo out

 

[miserytom]

RadioShack has a magnetic mount scanner antenna that is rumored to work really good. It's sorta tall, and has 2 coils in the middle.

i had that ant. yrs ago too, good reception, but the magnet was crap as mentioned, i try to stay away from mag's myself, i wish wilson made a little wil NMO lol, NMO all the way lol

 

[N4JNW]

I have a PRO-97 and I use this antenna . . .

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...Type/Scanner/HAM&fbc=1&parentPage=family


It's almost the same size as the one you got with the magnet mount, but it goes anywhere. Works great!

Todd

He want's a mobile antenna Todd. Agreed, that antenna you listed is a good antenna. I have owned a few of them. But, if Gonzo's like me, I dont like driving around with a big whip extended in the truck. Plus, an outside antenna will sill recieve better always.

 

[publicsafetyvehicles]

Hey All,

I am not happy with the little rubber chewtoy RS calls an antenna on my handheld pro-528.

I was wondering what antenna I can mount on my 2000 Jeep Wrangler that will pull in the signals best. Even though it is a handheld, 99% of my scanning happens on the road or
when I'm parked at a jobsite monitoring construction activities. I have a lightbar on top
with my Whelen beacon, FUBA FM antenna and Firestick II for the CB. Since I have XM, I can easily ditch the FUBA as I really don't listen to the wasteland that is commercial radio these days. That leaves me a 2"X2" tab with a 7/8" mounting hole free for a scanner antenna.

Thanks in advance!

Gonzo out.

Just curious, but as an idiot, I'm about to check this out myself. Antenex makes a trunk-lip mount antenna under their website's category of 'GPSx' with both a trunk-lip mount bracket with NMO base mount (for whatever NMO whip you'd want to attach) along with a fixed GPS antenna on the rear of the trunk-mount bracket. Would the GPS antenna be able to receive either XM or Sirius satellite radio with the right connector?

http://www.antenex.com/index051206.htm