Any recommendations for an all band antenna with good performance for transmitting in the 150-160mhz range. The antenna is going to be roof mounted on a car. Looking for both whip and low-profile options.
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Antenna Recommendations
- Thread starter b3053
- Start date
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Low profile and VHF are two things that do not go together.
Don't fall for "low profile" VHF antennas, they are extremely poor performers.
1/4 wave VHF is about as small as you can go and get good performance. A thin 1/4 wave whip is pretty stealth.
By "all band", if you mean you want the ability to monitor bands other than VHF, then Larsen and EM Wave make multiband antennas that I've been using quite a bit at work and am very happy with. They are not low profile.
theantennafarm.com
theantennafarm.com
Don't fall for "low profile" VHF antennas, they are extremely poor performers.
1/4 wave VHF is about as small as you can go and get good performance. A thin 1/4 wave whip is pretty stealth.
By "all band", if you mean you want the ability to monitor bands other than VHF, then Larsen and EM Wave make multiband antennas that I've been using quite a bit at work and am very happy with. They are not low profile.
EM Wave EM-M43002 - Triple Band Mobile Antennas
Tri-Band 150-162/450-490/763-870 MHz IP67 Rated Roof Mount Antenna
theantennafarm.com
Mobile Antenna Tri-Band 150-165,450-470,700/800MHz Larsen NMO150/450/758
Tri-band antenna covers 150-174, 430-520 & 750-870, 100 Watts, Whip Length 16.5"
theantennafarm.com
If you want all band as in VHF/UHF/700/800 there are no gain types that will do that. For best performance on VHF look for a multiband with no loading coil in the middle, those improve UHF some at the expense of degrading VHF slightly. Here are some examples:
This Laird and Larsen triband below have a loading coil and are worse on VHF than the ones below with no loading coil.
This new and older PCTEL/Motorola above have no loading coil which makes them a 3/4 wave on UHF with slightly degraded performance but a full 1/4 wave on VHF and better there. There were some eBay sellers with the older version PCTEL/Motorola in the $17 range new in package not long ago, and I bought a few.
Lately I've been recommending the Tram 8079 triband and at around $30 including shipping its one of the best deals around.
This Laird and Larsen triband below have a loading coil and are worse on VHF than the ones below with no loading coil.
This new and older PCTEL/Motorola above have no loading coil which makes them a 3/4 wave on UHF with slightly degraded performance but a full 1/4 wave on VHF and better there. There were some eBay sellers with the older version PCTEL/Motorola in the $17 range new in package not long ago, and I bought a few.
Lately I've been recommending the Tram 8079 triband and at around $30 including shipping its one of the best deals around.
Tram 8079 Tri Band NMO Antenna UHF 440-520, VHF 150-170, 800-960 mobile radio | eBay
Tram Tri-Band High Gain NMO Antenna. Mount Type: NMO Style Required.
www.ebay.com
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