I have a nearly 20 year old personally owned WHS150. I've melted the antenna off several times over the years and have been able to order identical replacements. Today I melted another one and need another replacement. My OEM source is long gone, so I'm looking at aftermarket antennas. My city dept issues our UHF radios, but my county volunteer dept only provides mobiles for apparatus and we are on our own if we want handhelds. Since our county VFD is on VHS, I can't program my city radio for double duty. I've read that the WHS150 hasn't been reliable for some depts., but mine has been absolutely abused and I want to keep using it until either it or I bite the dust.
I know this forum is for amateur radio and my radio is not in the amateur frequency, but I do know that some people have converted them and might have the knowledge I'm looking for. I'm transmitting to the repeater at 154.010 and receiving at 154.370. Fireground is 154.370 both Tx and Rx. I have found a source for two antenna rated for 150-162, but they are different lengths. One is 6", which is about what the original was. The other is 3.5" long. I'm assuming there is a tighter coil of wire inside and the loading on the Tx will not be affected. However, I'm wondering how much I would lose in range both Tx and Rx with the shorter antenna. I wouldn't bother thinking about the short one, but the last 3" is what I always burn off because it sticks out of the radio pocket on my gear.
Also, does Laird Technologies make a good antenna, and is Tessco a good vendor for small purchases?
3.5" Laird Technologies EXS-150-TNX 150-162 Portable Antenna TNC, 3.5" | TESSCO
6.0" Laird Technologies EXB-150-TNX 150-162 Portable Antenna TNC, 6" | TESSCO
I know this forum is for amateur radio and my radio is not in the amateur frequency, but I do know that some people have converted them and might have the knowledge I'm looking for. I'm transmitting to the repeater at 154.010 and receiving at 154.370. Fireground is 154.370 both Tx and Rx. I have found a source for two antenna rated for 150-162, but they are different lengths. One is 6", which is about what the original was. The other is 3.5" long. I'm assuming there is a tighter coil of wire inside and the loading on the Tx will not be affected. However, I'm wondering how much I would lose in range both Tx and Rx with the shorter antenna. I wouldn't bother thinking about the short one, but the last 3" is what I always burn off because it sticks out of the radio pocket on my gear.
Also, does Laird Technologies make a good antenna, and is Tessco a good vendor for small purchases?
3.5" Laird Technologies EXS-150-TNX 150-162 Portable Antenna TNC, 3.5" | TESSCO
6.0" Laird Technologies EXB-150-TNX 150-162 Portable Antenna TNC, 6" | TESSCO