Whip vs. Phantom Antenna

[billyfromhill]

Does the type of antenna affect reception even if the gain is the same? I currently have a Laird TRAB7603 phantom on my vehicle connected to a BCD996P2 rated at 3 dB of gain. Would going to a 3 dB whip antenna like the PCTEL BMAX7633S necessarily increase reception because it is a whip? I installed NMO mounts in the roof of my vehicle so I have a good ground plane. The TRAB7603 doesn't receive poorly, I'm just wondering if it would be even better with a whip.

 

[popnokick]

What frequencies (bands / range)?

 

[billyfromhill]

Trunked frequencies are 769-774 (two sites) and 851-852 (one site)

 

[popnokick]

There are members here who have the Phantom and other "soup can" or "sharkfin" antennas. They have posted their findings here on RR.... search will find them. Maybe one or more of them will be moved to re-write what they've already written. In a nutshell, what I've read is that in the freq ranges you specified (700 / 800 mHz) you're not going to see much difference. At lower freqs, a BIG difference.

 

[mmckenna]

Probably won't see much of a difference.
Since a 1/4 wave whip on those frequencies is pretty much the same height, these low profile antennas are not as poor performers as they are on VHF.

If you stepped up to a higher gain antenna, you may see a very slight improvement.