HF-VHF mobile antennas

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AronDouglas

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Life was so much simpler when I didn't know too much about antennas. I have my scanner picked out (BCT15X) and I thought I had an antenna to match. But then I used Google search :) Turns out I didn't know anything about antennas.

I'm looking for a HF-VHF antenna (multi/wideband), one that can match the range of my scanner. I've brought this question up a few times (and if anyone is getting tired of me asking, I apologize), but I'm still learning about this cool hobby and I still haven't found the 'perfect' antenna.

While most of my listening will be in the normal ranges (CB FRS and police/fire), I'd like the option to listen to anything the scanner can tune to. Am I asking the next to impossible or am I just being to picky?

I keep coming back to the Spectra Austin Antenna, but I'd rather not have to spend $130 on it. I've read that the antenna itself is only like $80ish, if someone could direct me to a site that has that I'd be very happy. I'm also happy with a few Diamond and Larsen antennas. I just cant find what I'm looking for though.

I apologize if I'm being a pain.
 

Rt169Radio

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You could take a look at the Larsen NMO27B which covers 27-30MHz and the Larsen NMOQ52C which covers 52-88MHz.
 

AronDouglas

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So basically I need 2 or more antennas, I'm not to oppose to that. I'd rather keep it 3 or below though.

When they say the antenna is for 150/450/800, does that mean they are tuned to those bands specifically? Where as something like the Maxrad BMAXSCAN1000, it says 150-840.

Aren't the Larsens you mentioned technically triple band? Because if that where the case could I just go with something like the Diamond NR2000NA or the Hustler MOR?
 
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LtDoc

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Keep looking if you want a single really good multiband antenna. There are no miracle antennas that do everything well. But then, that depends on how 'well' actually is, right?
Antennas are optimized for particular bands. When you combine that 'optimizing' of two or more bands into one antenna there are all kinds of affects between them.
Another aspect of it is that if the band is a very 'wide' one, then there will be only one smaller portion of that band that's been truly 'optimized'. The further you get away from that place the less it's 'optimized'. So, it's a matter of just how 'well' you expect the thing to work. It's a compromise.
Having said all that. Select an antenna that's not loaded a lot, if you can. That usually means a longer/taller antenna. Performance and 'convenience' are not all that compatible.
So what particular antenna would I recommend? I won't recommend any of them, I haven't had experience with them. Sort of a useless post, huh?
- 'Doc
 

AronDouglas

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When I started looking at antennas, I wanted to get multiple single band antennas. This is the best option of course, but not to practical for a mobile unit. Then when I started looking at quad and wide band, I realized that compromises will have to be been made. As this will be a mobile scanner, perfect reception over 50 miles is not required. If an important signal is too weak, I can always move around until I receive it stronger.
And I dont mind going up to 36" antennas, I'm trying it to stay below 40" though.
 

russellmaher

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Hi AronDouglas: I'd like to add my input to your search. I am a big fan of the Austin Spectra since I have been using one since 2006 and I love the way it works. I don't monitor low band, but it can be trimmed to cover that band. Anyway, since you're not wanting to spend that kind of bucks, I'll move on to the Larsen 150/450/800 which I think would be a good choice for you. It's listed at $29.95 on The Antenna Farm site and the whip length is only 16.5" so it falls into your size range. It covers the freqs of 150-165, 450-470, and 806-940 MHz which means you'll need another antenna to hit the low bands. But remember that the length of the whip on a lowband such as the Maxrad will be in the area of 40" and up, so you'll have to exceed your desired antenna height with one of those.

So, you'll have to determine which way to go: cost vs length vs freq. coverage vs # of antennas needed to cover what you want to monitor.

In closing, I just want to add that the Spectra is only 33" and if you trim the top for low band coverage, will reduce the overall height even more.

Good Luck with your choices.

Russell
 

AronDouglas

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So, you'll have to determine which way to go: cost vs length vs freq. coverage vs # of antennas needed to cover what you want to monitor.

In closing, I just want to add that the Spectra is only 33" and if you trim the top for low band coverage, will reduce the overall height even more.

Good Luck with your choices.

Russell

I've spent the past week looking at several dozen of antennas...so many good options out there. Ideally I'd like to get the Spectra. I read somewhere that the antenna itself (and no the mount) was like $80. I dont mind spending up to $80 ish (anyone know of a sues Spectra?). How is the flexibility of the Spectra? I shied away from some of the higher end/better antennas because I read reports of them not being flexible (and getting broke off). The Larsen line is nice, I'm trying to find one that does not have the mag mount (I'll build my own mount).

Thanks for the input everyone, it has really helped.
 

prcguy

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The BMAXSCAN1000 is just like the Larsen tri-band, its tuned for the specific 150/450/800 bands and outside its tuned sweet spots the performance drops off and drastically in some places.

I prefer the BMAXSCAN1000 over the Larsen because it works a little better in the amateur bands where the Larsen favors the commercial bands.

Designing and producing a wide band antenna is not a trivial task and if a company actually pulls it off its never cheap due to the engineering effort and in some cases materials used. Beware as most scanner type or low cost antennas come with wild claims of frequency range or gain, most of which are complete lies.
prcguy


So basically I need 2 or more antennas, I'm not to oppose to that. I'd rather keep it 3 or below though.

When they say the antenna is for 150/450/800, does that mean they are tuned to those bands specifically? Where as something like the Maxrad BMAXSCAN1000, it says 150-840.

Aren't the Larsens you mentioned technically triple band? Because if that where the case could I just go with something like the Diamond NR2000NA or the Hustler MOR?
 

popnokick

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So let me open another can of worms in this thread: if you get an Austin Spectra or some other multi band scanner antenna and then add a dedicated VHF-Low whip.... how are you going to connect both antennas to a single scanner? There are a.couple of sticky threads here on RR regarding using multiple antennas with one receiver. And this thread might get moved to the Splitters, Multicouplers, and Filters subforum should we pursue this question further.
Bottom line is that multiple antennas on a single mobile scanner may not work the way you might think or want them to. I say get a good multi band mobile antenna and be happy. Or buy a dedicated mobile low band antenna and live with the compromised reception on VHF-Hi and UHF (which is the choice facing dmg1969 in another thread discussing mobile low band antennas).
 

russellmaher

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Austin Spectra flexibility?

38476d1348267395-uniden-home-patrol-hp-1-garmin-nuvi-350-radio-shack-amplified-speaker-antennas-car-trunk.jpg
004.JPGLet me attest to the toughness/flexibility of this antenna - I don't want to sound like the official spokesman of Austin - but as I said, I have owned one since 2006 and feel quite qualified to address this issue.

The first vehicle it was used on was a Chevy Trailblazer and I mounted it to the right side of the hood using a trunk-lip mount, which was the mount I chose when purchasing it.

Second vehicle was a Hyundai Sonata and that was mounted center of the trunk lid just beneath the rear window.

That brings us to this day and current vehicle is a Chevy Malibu and the Spectra is mounted in the same position: trunk center at bottom of rear window.

All of my vehicles and the Spectra have been subjected to the harsh New England weather and an awfully large number of trips through the car wash process; in addition to that, I do a fair amount of driving on Interstate highways at speeds slightly (?) above the limit. That antenna is only starting to show some signs of aging, like its black finish is fading just a bit, but it's still giving me what I want to hear. So, I'm confident in saying this is one tough piece of gear. Just look at the size of the spring at the base of the Spectra and you'll see how sturdy it is.

I'm going to attach a photo of how the antenna looks on the Malibu.

Russell
 

T04KLH9PW7AN

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Comet UVH4 About $130.00 or the Opek knock off about $80.00.

Diamond CR8900 About $110.00

Opek HVU 200 About $90

All are 4 band for 28/50/150/450 mhz
 

AronDouglas

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The BMAXSCAN1000 is just like the Larsen tri-band, its tuned for the specific 150/450/800 bands and outside its tuned sweet spots the performance drops off and drastically in some places.

I figured that would be the case withe the BMAX/Larsen, but I thought I'd ask. And I completely understand that widebands are hard to make and that there are no 'perfect' wideband antenna. Typically, something that does everything is not good at anything. I personally have a price figure in mind that I'd like to stay under, but that is not a fixed number. If a good antenna is $100+, then I need to raise my price range. At first I wanted to stay below a 20" antenna, but thats changed to 40".

I entertained the idea of multiple antennas because I didn't think (at the time) that a good wideband antenna existed. And I figured that the only way to cover the whole spectrum was to get 2 or 3 dual or triple band antennas. At this point I dont think that I'll go with 2 or more antennas but who knows, I'm keeping that option on the table though.

@Russellmaher, I still want to do the Spectra, but maybe not on this time around. I'm sort of on a budget build and I also am planning on having a CB custom built by Snake Radio Customs. I hate to cut corners on one of the most important parts of a radio system, but I can always upgrade later. This is my first real mobile scanner, and its been a while since I've fooled around with monitoring frequencies in many years. I would LOVE to go all out with the ideal setup, but not this year (the scanner and CB are a Christmas present :). This is not a one time thing either, we have a few trucks on the road and I'd like to equip them all by next year. So if I like the setup that I'm planning now, I'll get 1 or 2 more like it, and then I'll spend the money on all the really good hardware.

One more thing, the Hustler MOR Hustler MOR Scanner antenna roof mount sounds too good to be true. Does anyone have experience with it?

Thanks again for all the help, and I plan on ordering everything in the next few days.
 

popnokick

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If you search "Hustler MOR" here on RR you will get this thread (and it's even in this Forum!):
http://m.radioreference.com/forums/GetThread.php?t=272879&f=80
 

AronDouglas

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I just got reminded about the discontinued Antenna Specialists MONR Series (specifically the MONR32 and 51). YAY for more reading and looking :)
 

dmg1969

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AronDouglas, I have the Hustler MOR. See my thread here. http://forums.radioreference.com/sc...s/270931-hustler-mor-nmo-scanner-antenna.html

I am fairly happy with it. The exception is with VHF low band. I can hear dispatch just fine and units within a few miles are clear or at least audible. Past a few miles, they drop off to either static or nothing at all. I think my issues all stem from terrain. If I lived where it was flat, I'm sure that the Hustler MOR would be more than adequate. As popnokick said earlier, I am entertaining the idea of a VHF low specific antenna. If I do get it, it might help my low band reception and it might now. One of the trade offs is that coverage of a neighboring county's UHF may suffer. I'm not going to go crazy spending money because my county is on a 5 year plan for a new radio system and has already hired a consultant.

I would at least give the MOR a shot. Its not a true NMO antenna, but at least it's not a mag mount. And fairly inexpensive to try since it includes the cable. I will PM you with my email address in case you have any questions.

Dave


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AronDouglas

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I've narrowed it down to either a Austin Or Antenna Specialist MON-R33. After much reading I've come to the conclusion that I cant cut corners on an antenna, so might as well go all out :)

Since both of these antennas are fairly tall and will be mounted on top of a truck, can I put them on a spring (maybe a CB medium weight spring)? Or are both antenna models flexible enough by themselves. And if I do put them on a spring, whats the best mount? I dont remember seeing any mount for scanner antennas that will work with a spring. Its not too big of a deal if thee is no such mount, I can always make one.
 

russellmaher

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Look at this!

AronDouglas:

I just went out and took photos of the Spectra I have trunk mounted on my Malibu to show you just how big the spring on it actually is.

The spring measures 2 1/8 inches high and 1 inch wide and is made of some pretty good size steel.

This should handle most bending issues unless you're going to run into low hanging branches or steel beams. You're not going to, are you??

Russell
 

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AronDouglas

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Ha ha...uumm...maybe? Some of the places we have to go are rather overgrown. I knew the Austin came with a spring, but I was not sure on its flexibility. I'd like to bend the antenna over and tie it down if need be (worst case scenario). A spring is cheap compared to the cost of a new antenna, and even using good judgment, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I was hoping I could thread the antenna directly to a spring, but I dont think that s possible with an Austin, maybe Specialist MON-R33 (still looking for information on that antenna).

http://www.rfwiz.com/images/AustinAntenna/SpectraBase-2_200ph.jpg

How and shere do you connect the coax to this antenna?
 
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