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apx8000 aftermarket antenna

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WX5812

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The stock antenna seems pretty decent. What are some opinions for a vhf/uhf 2m/70cm aftermarket antenna that performs well with this radio?
 

vagrant

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Perhaps test your GPS acquisition while using some aftermarket dual band antenna and then with the stock Motorola. The GPS may not be a factor for some.
 

WX5812

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Perhaps test your GPS acquisition while using some aftermarket dual band antenna and then with the stock Motorola. The GPS may not be a factor for some.
It’s a nice feature but it’s not a deal breaker for me. I really don’t have use for it as of right now.
 

n3obl

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That's a premier radio and want to cheap it out with some crappy ham antenna. Stick to the oem. There is the new antenna thats a little more flexible at the end.
 

WX5812

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That's a premier radio and want to cheap it out with some crappy ham antenna. Stick to the oem. There is the new antenna thats a little more flexible at the end.
I have no issue with the oem. It fits the radio nice. I was just curious to see if any others were out there.
 

vagrant

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I have found the Motorola PMAT4001 VHF/UHF GPS antenna works well whether the radio is being held, or hands free using a BT mic. I have tested it against a Diamond SRJ77CA and the Moto was the winner, especially on VHF. Plus that Diamond is around twice as long. Also, that Motorola antenna may be the PMAT4001A. I am unsure of what the difference is between the two models, or if that is to designate country of origin.

Anyways, it works well enough that I also use that model on my XTS5000 VHF and UHF radios, as it is a definite improvement.
 

n3obl

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This is the part number for the newer flexible antenna. AN000342A01
 

wa8pyr

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All portable antenna suck, just more or less. Use the OEM and move on. there's nothing better from the hammy junk whips.

Compared to mobile or base antennas, portable antennas do suck, but as far as non-OEM portable antennas go, some are better than others. On my VHF XTS5000 I use a Smiley 5/8 Slim Duck for the ham bands or another 5/8 Slim Duck custom-cut for the railroad band, and both made a noticeable improvement over the stock Motorola antenna. That being said, the OEM antenna wasn't bad, I just wanted something a tad better.


For a multi-band APX, I'd stick with the OEM antenna, though. I have a Harris XG-100P which is all tricked out, and there is no multi-band antenna which beats the armpit-stabbing OEM antenna (unfortunately).
 
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