Antenna for URC-200

[pcblah]

Hello, first post here.
I'm looking for an antenna for a newly purchased URC-200. I know General Dynamics suggests the UVU-100 or PRC-113 compatibles like the MPMP100X4, but I can't find either anywhere. Are there alternative donkey/whip antennas that I'm not thinking about?

I know I could just slap on a dual band slim jim, but that ruins the aesthetic (yes, really) and I want to keep it in a portable configuration.

Spec:
115 to 400 MHz.
BNC-F w/ 3/4"-16 threaded sleeve.
10 watt output.

 

[noderaser]

You could also use the Harris 10369-0205 (30-512 MHz) though any of the "tactical" antennas are going to be pricey. Any band-appropriate BNC antenna should also work, depending on your goals.

 

[prcguy]

You can use any of the multiband antennas made for the Magnavox or Harris radios, they are all basically the same with a different P/N on them. Used prices run about $75 to $175 but don't pay too much. There were a bunch of antennas for the Raytheon PSC-5 on fleabay cheap, around $60 I think and they are fully compatible with the URC-200. The PSC-5 antenna is shown below being longer than the Motorola and with a twist key for foldover vs ball and ring. The green one shown on my PRC-113 is very scarce but otherwise mechanically the same as the black one.

I should probably sell that PRC-113, its getting neglected.

 

[prcguy]

Then there is the Motorola Discone made by Hascall-Denke, but most any scanner Discone will work about the same. These are really scarce.

 

[pcblah]

Thanks everyone, I found that LR series was willing to help and pre-sold me one from their next batch. It's a PRC-346 antenna, but the same S/N.
Prcguy, I almost bought a PRC-113, but I wouldn't know what to do with an AM-only radio. Only wished the URC-200 I had was a V2 with the 30-70 MHz option, though. Still, being able to hear my pilot friends and 2 meter FM is nice.

 

[prcguy]

Thanks everyone, I found that LR series was willing to help and pre-sold me one from their next batch. It's a PRC-346 antenna, but the same S/N.
Prcguy, I almost bought a PRC-113, but I wouldn't know what to do with an AM-only radio. Only wished the URC-200 I had was a V2 with the 30-70 MHz option, though. Still, being able to hear my pilot friends and 2 meter FM is nice.

At least you got a newer General Dynamics version. Looking at the specs it appears GD redesigned some of the radio and the receiver specs are much better and the radio will have 5KHz, 12.5KHz and 25KHz steps at the very least. The stock Motorola version was 25KHz steps unless it had a feature upgrade. The lack of PL is a problem.

I'll be using mine during training exercises with the USCG where it will work great on VHF marine and with the helicopters..

 

[spanky15805]

Then there is the Motorola Discone made by Hascall-Denke, but most any scanner Discone will work about the same. These are really scarce.

View attachment 192429

Now you tell me. Sent 16 of them to the recycler last fall. New in the box. Trying to thread an element in could be taxing.

 

[prcguy]

Now you tell me. Sent 16 of them to the recycler last fall. New in the box. Trying to thread an element in could be taxing.

Now you tell me. Sent 16 of them to the recycler last fall. New in the box. Trying to thread an element in could be taxing.

They sell for quite a bit surplus on fleabay. Too bad.

 

[pcblah]

Now you tell me. Sent 16 of them to the recycler last fall. New in the box. Trying to thread an element in could be taxing.

I'd bet that tons of military surplus cables are scrapped even though they have super uncommon and rare connectors that someone would pay an arm and a leg for.

At least you got a newer General Dynamics version. Looking at the specs it appears GD redesigned some of the radio and the receiver specs are much better and the radio will have 5KHz, 12.5KHz and 25KHz steps at the very least. The stock Motorola version was 25KHz steps unless it had a feature upgrade. The lack of PL is a problem.

I'll be using mine during training exercises with the USCG where it will work great on VHF marine and with the helicopters..

With a Diamond RH77CA (correct one is still in the mail), I can't get my URC to receive FM very well. Can't even listen to NOAA stations, but my cheapo baofeng can do it just fine.
Can you run a little experiment for me and see how a 2m/70cm dual band antenna fares compared to the correct one? Just to see if it's the radio or the antenna. It receives AM VHF just fine, been listening to planes all week.

 

[prcguy]

I'd bet that tons of military surplus cables are scrapped even though they have super uncommon and rare connectors that someone would pay an arm and a leg for.


With a Diamond RH77CA (correct one is still in the mail), I can't get my URC to receive FM very well. Can't even listen to NOAA stations, but my cheapo baofeng can do it just fine.
Can you run a little experiment for me and see how a 2m/70cm dual band antenna fares compared to the correct one? Just to see if it's the radio or the antenna. It receives AM VHF just fine, been listening to planes all week.

I just saw this post. I’ve used several BNC antennas on my URC-200 including an RH77 clone and they all work fine. Did you select FM mode for NOAA or amateur? Make sure the display says FM instead of AM.

 

[pcblah]

I just saw this post. I’ve used several BNC antennas on my URC-200 including an RH77 clone and they all work fine. Did you select FM mode for NOAA or amateur? Make sure the display says FM instead of AM.

Used FM mode, even kept the squelch open and nothing. I'm wondering if I need to calibrate this thing somehow, but I don't have any of the cables or tools that the manual suggests.
I can do short range VHF FM, though.

 

[Bowlieweekender]

Finally managed to locate a 'Donkey Dick' antenna for my General Dynamics URC-200.
And on the same theme I just bought a couple of in need of repair URC-200's and one has the rare PL option. Fingers crossed I can get one to fly, having the PL would be huge on VHF.

 

[prcguy]

Finally managed to locate a 'Donkey Dick' antenna for my General Dynamics URC-200.
And on the same theme I just bought a couple of in need of repair URC-200's and one has the rare PL option. Fingers crossed I can get one to fly, having the PL would be huge on VHF.

I wonder if the PL circuit can be transferred to another radio?

 

[Bowlieweekender]

That's my hope, failing that I'd like to fix the broken radio and call that the main one as having PL capability is very useful.

 

[pcblah]

That's my hope, failing that I'd like to fix the broken radio and call that the main one as having PL capability is very useful.

What do you think is wrong with it?
I'm hoping mine just has bad caps or something. I retested the receiver again and again and it's still mostly deaf on upper FM VHF. Hears aircraft AM perfectly.
Also, LR series has been taking their sweet time shipping me anything. They claimed it was due to "holiday delays". It's February, I sent the money last November.
Maybe I got scammed?

 

[Bowlieweekender]

My first URC-200 was bought as not working. I noticed the volume knob just kept rotating with no click stop, so lifted the lid and saw the flexible PCB that goes onto the back of the volume had popped off, so I aligned the shaft and popped it back on, radio fixed and it works 100%. Was working a treat the other morning (video clip link attached). I too asked LR about the Donkey Dick, he said if I signed up to be alerted about that product I'd get notified when he next got them in stock. I've yet to be notified.

Dropbox

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[prcguy]

My first URC-200 was bought as not working. I noticed the volume knob just kept rotating with no click stop, so lifted the lid and saw the flexible PCB that goes onto the back of the volume had popped off, so I aligned the shaft and popped it back on, radio fixed and it works 100%. Was working a treat the other morning (video clip link attached). I too asked LR about the Donkey Dick, he said if I signed up to be alerted about that product I'd get notified when he next got them in stock. I've yet to be notified.

Dropbox

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If you have the lid off a radio can you post a picture of the insides? Mine still has a tamper sticker on the lid I don't want to disturb. Anyone seen the service manual for a URC-200?

 

[Bowlieweekender]

If you have the lid off a radio can you post a picture of the insides? Mine still has a tamper sticker on the lid I don't want to disturb. Anyone seen the service manual for a URC-200?

When the unit with the PL feature arrives next week I'll take the lid off and look for physical differences. Might just be in the PROM. I'll post internals then.

 

[prcguy]

When the unit with the PL feature arrives next week I'll take the lid off and look for physical differences. Might just be in the PROM. I'll post internals then.

When the unit with the PL feature arrives next week I'll take the lid off and look for physical differences. Might just be in the PROM. I'll post internals then.

It would be nice if it were just an EEPROM and it could be copied.....

 

[Bowlieweekender]

Couple of quick snaps of a regular URC-200 innards. That stupid volume knob PCB back popped off again:

Dropbox

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Dropbox

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