Band specific for scanning?

[SirJ]

So when using a mobile scanner with a Nmo mount on the roof, does it matter which antenna you use ? Like let’s say your listening to a VHF frequency, and you got a uhf 440 Nmo antenna would you loose some reception because the antenna is uhf ?

I was thinking of using this

118-970 MHz Field Tunable Mobile Antenna NMO Two Way TE Connectivity QWFTB120 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 118-970 MHz Field Tunable Mobile Antenna NMO Two Way TE Connectivity QWFTB120 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Or go phantom and get this cheap uhf/vhf

Dual Band UHF VHF Antenna NMO Mount for Car Mobile Two-Way Radio 144MHz 430Mhz | eBay

Connector NMO Mount Base. 1 x Antenna. Antenna Height 9cm. Output Gain(dBi) 3dB ±0.5dB. After-sales Service. Date Range Probability Date Range Probability Date Range Probability. Noise ≤2dB.

www.ebay.com

Or I can use this which I have two of and covers everything from 130-800mhz

Pctel/Maxrad Pctwslmr Pctel - Pctwslmr Multi-Band Nmo Style Antenna For 134-174, | eBay

Manufacturer Part#: PCTWSLMR.

www.ebay.com

I am currently using a comet SBB one which works very well but I want to change it up a bit

 

[littona]

Your radio needs an antenna matched to it for best reception. Trying to monitor VHF with a UHF antenna is not a match, so your performance will suffer. Using a VHF antenna cut to the exact frequency you're monitoring is the best match. Using a multi-band antenna is a compromise, so it won't be the best match, but it'll be close. Using a 130-800MHz antenna will have a lot of compromise.

 

[SirJ]

Your radio needs an antenna matched to it for best reception. Trying to monitor VHF with a UHF antenna is not a match, so your performance will suffer. Using a VHF antenna cut to the exact frequency you're monitoring is the best match. Using a multi-band antenna is a compromise, so it won't be the best match, but it'll be close. Using a 130-800MHz antenna will have a lot of compromise.

OK over the years when I was scanning via mobile I always kept band specific antennas in my trunk and if there was an urgency to listen to particular frequency I would swap the antenna so I’ll just continue that setup

 

[a417]

OK over the years when I was scanning via mobile I always kept band specific antennas in my trunk and if there was an urgency to listen to particular frequency I would swap the antenna so I’ll just continue that setup

Ooof, that's a fair bit of work just to pick up a different range. I'd do multiple antennas on the roof if I was doing that more than once a year, TBH. But, to each...their own.

Personally I'd take the Laird you listed, as the lower profile base disappears better. I wouldn't touch that dual band NMO with your money and someone else buying. If you wanted something that looks easier to take on and off easier, that Maxrad looks like it would be unscrewed with just hand torque and no tools.

I had a couple of chiefs insist on Phantoms or stealth antennas for scanners in their vehicles, and they were okay in their range but they were simply terrible outside of it. They'd come back griping that they can't get DC to daylight on their scanner, and now they want it fixed.

 

[chrismol1]

Or go phantom and get this cheap uhf/vhf

Dual Band UHF VHF Antenna NMO Mount for Car Mobile Two-Way Radio 144MHz 430Mhz | eBay

Connector NMO Mount Base. 1 x Antenna. Antenna Height 9cm. Output Gain(dBi) 3dB ±0.5dB. After-sales Service. Date Range Probability Date Range Probability Date Range Probability. Noise ≤2dB.

www.ebay.com

Like the poster above said on those phantom, 3 inch low profile antennas

I'd forget that cheapo panel plastic antenna phantom chinese rip off on VHF you can likely stick your finger on the mount and get the same amount of performance out of that thing. Use a real antenna for VHF/UHF unless your sitting under the transmitting tower for the majority of your receiving

 

[trentbob]

So when using a mobile scanner with a Nmo mount on the roof, does it matter which antenna you use ? Like let’s say your listening to a VHF frequency, and you got a uhf 440 Nmo antenna would you loose some reception because the antenna is uhf ?

I was thinking of using this

118-970 MHz Field Tunable Mobile Antenna NMO Two Way TE Connectivity QWFTB120 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 118-970 MHz Field Tunable Mobile Antenna NMO Two Way TE Connectivity QWFTB120 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Or go phantom and get this cheap uhf/vhf

Dual Band UHF VHF Antenna NMO Mount for Car Mobile Two-Way Radio 144MHz 430Mhz | eBay

Connector NMO Mount Base. 1 x Antenna. Antenna Height 9cm. Output Gain(dBi) 3dB ±0.5dB. After-sales Service. Date Range Probability Date Range Probability Date Range Probability. Noise ≤2dB.

www.ebay.com

Or I can use this which I have two of and covers everything from 130-800mhz

Pctel/Maxrad Pctwslmr Pctel - Pctwslmr Multi-Band Nmo Style Antenna For 134-174, | eBay

Manufacturer Part#: PCTWSLMR.

www.ebay.com

I am currently using a comet SBB one which works very well but I want to change it up a bit

I have always used a Larson tri-band.. for decades. I moved up to the newer one with the heavy duty nmo mount and the spring. They have two variations, one can go well into the 900 MHz but it doesn't matter it's just a good all-around receiving antenna often paired with the Motorola apx 8500. You can't go wrong.

 

[mmckenna]

OK over the years when I was scanning via mobile I always kept band specific antennas in my trunk and if there was an urgency to listen to particular frequency I would swap the antenna so I’ll just continue that setup

Why not just use one of the many excellent multiband antennas?
Larsen has a few.
EMWave has one now.
A few other big name manufacturers also have them
Most are intended for the higher end Motorola APX8000/Harris XL200M radios and actually work quite well.

I'm using a Larsen NMO-150/450/756 on a scanner sitting in my office. Works fine for VHF/UHF and 800, and I don't need to worry about swapping anything out.

 

[trentbob]

Why not just use one of the many excellent multiband antennas?
Larsen has a few.
EMWave has one now.
A few other big name manufacturers also have them
Most are intended for the higher end Motorola APX8000/Harris XL200M radios and actually work quite well.

I'm using a Larsen NMO-150/450/756 on a scanner sitting in my office. Works fine for VHF/UHF and 800, and I don't need to worry about swapping anything out.

A simulcast post.

 

[SirJ]

I’ll have a go with my Pctel multiband antenna today and see how well it works. It worked well when I was running my APX8000as a mobile