Antenna Questions

[SmokeEater1090]

Iam in the process of buying a Uniden Home Patrol, I was wondering if Motorola Antenna's are able to be used on them, I'am looking at getting the Round Black One's you see on Police and Fire Vehicles roofs. I believe the Models Start with the number HFA, Would I be able to use this with the scanner?

 

[Tracker]

Are you referring to the GPS antennas?

 

[bdp278]

You can use any type of antenna that has a SMA connector, either directly on the antenna, or using an adapter or cable. Most of the vehicle mount antennas use a cable w/ a different type of connector, so you'll need to locate an adapter that will convert the connector on the cable end to a SMA connector for the HP-1. Also, whatever frequency your antenna is "tuned" to will affect reception on other frequencies, so if your vehicle antenna is tuned for 800 Mhz, frequencies outside this rangle, such as UHF 460 Mhz or high band VHF will not receive very well, since the antenna is tuned (or setup) to receive mainly frequencies within the 800 MHZ range. Sometimes these vehicles antennas are tuned to very specific range, such as 850-860 MHZ, so double check the antenna frequency range.

 

[bobmich52]

I run The Larsen nmo 150/450/800 mhz antenna(Black) Mounted On the left Front Quarterpanel of My 2012 Tucson For My HP 1 & It Works Well & It's Very Low Profile & Easily removable Too

 

[Dewey]

A lot of people will want/buy antennas that they see on police and fire vehicles because they believe that if the antenna works good enough for police/fire, it will work good for them. However, in MOST situations, the antennas that you see on police/fire vehicles are very narrow banded, normally covering a portion of the VHF, UHF or 800 bands. Once in a while, you might see a dual bander, but almost never see a wide band scanner antenna like the 2 coil Radio Shack magnetic mount or the Larsen already mentioned (unless the police/fire vehicle is also equipped with a scanner). Any antenna will work with any receiving radio (scanner) once you match the connector, but the more important question is "how well"? Using the old "pig tail" cell phone antennas will do wonders for areas that are all 800 MHz, but be pratically deaf below UHF. So with that said unless your entire area is on a single band and you don't plan on traveling, you would do good to look for a good all band scanner antenna, again like the Lasen (and there are others) mentioned above.

Your mileage may vary, and remember how much you paid for this reply.
Dewey

 

[SmokeEater1090]

Are you referring to the GPS antennas?

I was referring to this one, not this particular frequency, But you'll get the idea. RAE4168ARB - 450-470 MHz Black Roof Mount Antenna with Mounting Kit - Motorola Solutions USA


I was actually looking at another antenna where its magnetic, you put the antenna on the outside then you have the black square inside and it forums the magnetic connection etc.

 

[SmokeEater1090]

I've been looking at this antenna as well! https://www.scannermaster.com/Through_The_Glass_Mobile_Antenna_with_BNC_p/15-540721.htm

 

[jkahn]

snip.... (unless the police/fire vehicle is also equipped with a scanner).
Dewey

Kathy has made that a non-existant reality in DC, even in casual clothes cars!



JK

 

[ofd8001]

Generally the Motorola antennas are geared toward a specific frequency range.

For all-purpose scanning you'd be more happy with an antenna designed for scanning a wider band of frequencies, unless you are interested in a limited frequency range.

You have options for permanent mounts, such as drilling a hole through a vehicle roof. There are those that are "on-glass" like the old cell phone antennas. Then you have the removable magnetic mount.

In other words you have a lot of choices.

Because of height limitations, I use a low profile antenna on my fire department Expedition mounted to the roof. That way I can park the vehicle in my garage without the antenna hitting the overhead door frame.

On the other hand, when I'm traveling in my POV, which is also a SUV, I'll use a magnetic mount antenna. That way it can be removed so as to not be an invitation to thieves looking for radio equipment to steal.

 

[Tracker]

I've been looking at this antenna as well! https://www.scannermaster.com/Through_The_Glass_Mobile_Antenna_with_BNC_p/15-540721.htm

Wow, it's 16" tall...!

 

[Dewey]

Kathy has made that a non-existant reality in DC, even in casual clothes cars!



JK

+1... also proof that sometimes, knowledge can be a dangerous thing!

 

[SmokeEater1090]

Thanks for the replies guys!