APX8000user133
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- Jan 6, 2025
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Has anyone ever used a Motorola AN000131A02 or similar tri-quad band antennas for a scanner, like if you got a mag-mount NMO to BNC connector, could it work?
Apx8500 V/U/7/8 antenna
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mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
I've got the newer version of that antenna, the one with the bigger spring. It's hooked up to an old scanner in my office. Works fine for what it is. There's nothing magical about them. Only reason I used it was because our county shop gave it to me to try out. Didn't like it on the work truck, so it sat in my office for a while. It'll certainly work fine as a scanner antenna.
If you are looking to buy new, you'll find much cheaper alternatives, like the Larsen NMO150/450/756 or the Larsen NMO150/450/800
If you are looking to buy new, you'll find much cheaper alternatives, like the Larsen NMO150/450/756 or the Larsen NMO150/450/800
There's a seller in Canada selling the Motorola All-Band antenna for only about $40 when it's all said and done after shipping. New Motorola All-Band Antenna AN000131A01 | eBay
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Not surprising. I think our county ordered them with the radios. After the first few were snapped off by tree branches, they got replaced. That's how I got mine for free.
I might have tried a few. They work fine across their advertised frequency range and about equivalent to a resonant 1/4 wave whip on all bands. Some are a little better here and there but not a huge difference between them, maybe +/- 2dB at the most. I find the non center load types to be a little better on VHF and the center load types a little better on UHF. I think the short fat one in the center works about the best, even on VHF where its half the height of the others.
If your planning to use a mag mount I'd go for the larsen myself. The one in the listing is the older antenna. Think there would be alot of wind load for a small mag mount. As reference I ran those on my 8500's for about 3 months. All have been switched to the larsen. Not performance but noise and water under them.
If a mag mount must be used with that antenna I'd only use a 5" mount where the mount is flush with the base.
