Arrow Antenna 162-4S Yagi recieving-only for rail-band

[TrainsOfThought]

I've narrowed down my directional scanner receive-only antenna options to the Arrow Antenna 162-4S (element) Yagi. Covers 160-164 MHz.; rail band is 160-161 MHz.

Arrow Antenna 146 2m 2 meter 4 element Yagi No antenna plot for the 162.

Gain is listed as 7dbd; I'd like to boom-end mount this to the roof-top mast. I don't know if they custom make antennas but ideally I'd like this with a few more, 6-8 total elements, for greater gain (and elevation on my rooftop) here in the sticks but we'll see...I'm assuming 162Mhz is "close enough" stock for my purposes though specifically optimized for the 160-161 rail band would be great for my project. Considering Arrow has hand-held yagi's optimized for "falconry", it seems they delve into some market niches you don't find elsewhere. PLUS, they are a USA company

How is their reputation and doing business, and product quality? I'm looking for a simple, easy to assemble antenna for receive-only...and straightforward instructions.

Thanks for any insights.

 

[MDScanFan]

Have you considered the 6 element Sirio VHF yagi antennas? They have two models that are optimized for different portions of VHF high.

Sirio WY155-6N VHF 155-175 MHz Base Station 6 Element Yagi Antenna

 

[prcguy]

I have an Arrow 2m Yagi and its very light duty and not something I would want to leave outdoors for very long. On the other hand I have several antennas from Sirio including two Yagis and they are of very high quality and very durable.

 

[mmckenna]

Not too hard to build yourself, if you felt you were up to it. I've built Yagi antennas for 6 meters, 2 meters and the UHF band before. There are good tutorials and calculators on line that will give you what you need to build an antenna exactly the way you want.

I built a UHF one and used an old Harbor Freight tape measure for the elements.

Or, there are a lot of really good commercial Yagi's out there that will do what you want. Would just depend on what your budget is.

 

[TrainsOfThought]

I have an Arrow 2m Yagi and its very light duty and not something I would want to leave outdoors for very long. On the other hand I have several antennas from Sirio including two Yagis and they are of very high quality and very durable.

Part of my research was marine yagi/directional antennas since I live on the DelMarVa Peninsula in Maryland...1 mile from the Chesapeake Bay to the west and Atlantic Ocean/Delaware Bay 30-45 miles to the east...DelMarVa is actually a huge flat coastal Plain island and very windy. Coastal storms, 'Noreasters, hurricanes are part of the annual routine. AIS 62 MHZ marine antennas seemed overkill, overpriced or of questionable logistics from foreign amateur radio antennas sources. The 155-175 commercial band was a second choice with 160's mhz smack in the middle with a number of possibilities, and unfamiliar names. I see Sirio doesn't have to be foreign-bought (Italy) but has a number of US importers Walmart, ebay etc. Are these easy or straightforward to assemble? I like the N connector setup in the pictures.

 

[prcguy]

I've dealt with this eBay seller in the past and he is a big Sirio distributor. I don't see the larger 6 element version in stock like I have but here is a 4 element that should work fine. These are easy to assemble, no tuning and with an N connector on the rear of the boom. Even though these are well made out of anodized 6063 aluminum I prime and paint them as with all antennas in my coastal area.

Sirio WY155-4N VHF 155-175 MHz 8.5 dBi 4 Element Yagi Antenna, 200 Watts | eBay

Gain: 6.35 dBd - 8.5 dBi. Frequency range SWR ≤ 1.5: WY 155-4N: 155-175 MHz. Base station antenna, Directional. Stacked and bayed array for more gain. Power (CW) 30°C: 200 Watts. Wind load / resistance: 147 N @ 150 Km/h / 140 Km/h.

www.ebay.com

Part of my research was marine yagi/directional antennas since I live on the DelMarVa Peninsula in Maryland...1 mile from the Chesapeake Bay to the west and Atlantic Ocean/Delaware Bay 30-45 miles to the east...DelMarVa is actually a huge flat coastal Plain island and very windy. Coastal storms, 'Noreasters, hurricanes are part of the annual routine. AIS 62 MHZ marine antennas seemed overkill, overpriced or of questionable logistics from foreign amateur radio antennas sources. The 155-175 commercial band was a second choice with 160's mhz smack in the middle with a number of possibilities, and unfamiliar names. I see Sirio doesn't have to be foreign-bought (Italy) but has a number of US importers Walmart, ebay etc. Are these easy or straightforward to assemble? I like the N connector setup in the pictures.

 

[TrainsOfThought]

I purchased this LAST (ad since updated to 2 remaining) 6-element Sirio single-band antenna today, in fact it almost immediately indicated "shipped" and out the door!

Sirio WY 155-6N VHF 155-175 MHz Base Station 6 Element Yagi Antenna, 10.5 dBi | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Sirio WY 155-6N VHF 155-175 MHz Base Station 6 Element Yagi Antenna, 10.5 dBi at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

A couple possible 9-element different brand models out there for the future OR stack another one of the 6's to gain more "gain" for experimenting.

Thanks everyone!!

 

[prcguy]

I have two of those in the 140-160MHz range. I love it being end mount instead of having the mast go up through the active elements.

I purchased this LAST (ad since updated to 2 remaining) 6-element Sirio single-band antenna today, in fact it almost immediately indicated "shipped" and out the door!

Sirio WY 155-6N VHF 155-175 MHz Base Station 6 Element Yagi Antenna, 10.5 dBi | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Sirio WY 155-6N VHF 155-175 MHz Base Station 6 Element Yagi Antenna, 10.5 dBi at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

A couple possible 9-element different brand models out there for the future OR stack another one of the 6's to gain more "gain" for experimenting.

Thanks everyone!!