Max Systems 800 Mhz Portable Antenna

[alien55]

Is there anybody out there that has used the ' Max Systems 800 MHZ protable attenna? its by Grove enterprise's. They are for handheld scanners in the 800 MHZ RANGE, The antenna, is about 6 inchs tall, and has a round plastic piece, and three metal rods that stick out from it, it looks strange, but has anyone out there ever tried one of these? I think the company wants $ 29..9 for them. I have a Radio Shack Pro-96 scanner, and I was thinking about trying one of these. Thanks let me know.

 

[Raven95150]

From what I've heard, they are great for 800 but not for anything else. With that design, I wouldn't want to carry it around. If your Pro-96 just sits on a desk and scans nothing but 800, It's probably a good antenna for you.

 

[Hooligan]

I bought one a decade or so ago at the Dayton Hamvention. While it's nicely made, it's really just some steel rod fastened on to an SO-239 bulkhead connector and a PVC cap over it to hold the elements in place & perhaps make people think there's more to it than there really is.

You didn't bother to explain what your application would be for, but I think in most cases, you'd be better off finding a 3 or 5dB gain cellular antenna & using it, or order a custom-made antenna from a place like: http://www.lairdtech.com

 

[RodStrong]

I have heard they are excellent within their range. Also, can be used as a lawn dart or grappling hook.

 

[iMONITOR]

I found it worked slightly better than the Radio Shack RS800 rubber duck on the 800MHz band. However it's too bulky and cumbersome on a hand-held, unless you just leave it in one spot all the time. You certainly don't want to be carrying it around.