Priority-One
Member
Can anyone suggest where I can get a VHF/UHF stubby antenna with or without GPS? I looked all over eBay but can find one.
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APX7000 uhf/vhf stubby
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Will001
Member
I'm not an expert on this, but you could try the Motorola solutions website. They might have what you're looking for.
Project25_MASTR
Member
Wiscomm
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If you're looking for a genuine Motorola VHF/UHF stubby antenna, you won't find one, because they never made such a model.
The only VHF/UHF antenna that Motorola makes is the PMAT4001, which is the standard 8.5" antenna for the APX series.
You'll either have to try to find something aftermarket, or you'll have to go with a single band antenna and compromise on the other band. Using a stubby antenna is already a compromise, so expect to have degraded performance no matter what.
The only VHF/UHF antenna that Motorola makes is the PMAT4001, which is the standard 8.5" antenna for the APX series.
You'll either have to try to find something aftermarket, or you'll have to go with a single band antenna and compromise on the other band. Using a stubby antenna is already a compromise, so expect to have degraded performance no matter what.
mikegilbert
Member
You're very much incorrect. Motorola does make a shorter VHF/UHF short antenna for the APX series.
The model number is PMAT4005
I use one daily on my APX8000. It's also only 1/2" longer than a single band UHF antenna.
My 8000 with the PMAT4005:
Fair enough, I guess I was "very much incorrect" if you consider a 6" antenna a "stubby" :roll:
VHF (156-174) UHF (440-470) Pretty lousy specs, but as I said, any antenna that is shorter than the recommended antenna is going to be a compromise.
VHF (156-174) UHF (440-470) Pretty lousy specs, but as I said, any antenna that is shorter than the recommended antenna is going to be a compromise.
Priority-One
Member
I used the antenna from my XTS5000 and the reception is 1000 times better than the stock VHF/UHF antenna that came with the APX.
I'm mostly listening to uhf 450-512, so it's not affecting the VHF as I haven't used it yet.
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True, it's not 3" stubby, but it's a smaller dual band. I use the same one on my APX7000XE V/U. Works great!
N4KVE
Member
i used this UHF antenna for years on my Jedi's, Astro Sabers, XTS radios, etc. I was very happy. But now I have a 8000 with the proper multi band antenna. I use my 8000 on UHF 90% of the time. How would you compare performance of the 8000 antenna on UHF vs the whip I have been using for years.
I used the antenna from my XTS5000 and the reception is 1000 times better than the stock VHF/UHF antenna that came with the APX.
I'm mostly listening to uhf 450-512, so it's not affecting the VHF as I haven't used it yet.
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The performance difference between both of the antennas is usually never noticeable (at least from my experience). In certain situations when I check the rssi the all band antenna will outperform the XTS UHF antenna but again I have never actually noticed any difference in the voice quality when transmitting and receiving.
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It would be worthwhile to sweep each antenna on a VNA and measure S11 to see what the return loss looks like for each antenna. The results will show which antenna should perform best at a given frequency.The performance difference between both of the antennas is usually never noticeable (at least from my experience). In certain situations when I check the rssi the all band antenna will outperform the XTS UHF antenna but again I have never actually noticed any difference in the voice quality when transmitting and receiving.
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Good luck.
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probably doesnt matter much but from my personal real world usage the older style skinny UHF 6" antenna performs much better for me when compared to the newer thicker UHF antennas that come with the XPR6550 units. Same with the older vs newer UHF stubby antennas. (making sure the stubbys were in the same band 450-470 typically)
But i know the OP was looking at dual band VHF capable antennas.
But i know the OP was looking at dual band VHF capable antennas.
N4KVE
Member
Are you comparing the older antenna to the newer XPR UHF/GPS antennas, or UHF only antennas? I've had good results with the XPR non GPS antennas.
N4KVE I've also always wanted to test the antennas as I'm constantly swapping antennas and I sometimes wonder if it's even worth it, but, I've never gotten around to it. Once I eventually do it I will post the results here.
As for the OP, there are not a lot of options for VHV/UHF stubby antennas as mikegilbert mentioned, PMAT4005 is the shortest OEM VHF/UHF antenna but the split is pretty bad. Your best bet is to just go with the all band OEM 8000 antenna as it is actually shorter than the OEM whip VHF/UHF antenna.
Edit: OP if you are only using your radio to RX then the PMAT4005 should work fine for V/U
As for the OP, there are not a lot of options for VHV/UHF stubby antennas as mikegilbert mentioned, PMAT4005 is the shortest OEM VHF/UHF antenna but the split is pretty bad. Your best bet is to just go with the all band OEM 8000 antenna as it is actually shorter than the OEM whip VHF/UHF antenna.
Edit: OP if you are only using your radio to RX then the PMAT4005 should work fine for V/U
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