Best antenna for portable

[lovescanners]

I have a BR330T what is the best antenna to pick up 800 MHZ frequencies? I heard about the Diamond something but any others? Thanks.

 

[ke5lvt]

it depends on the antenna you are looking for. a base, mobile, or hand held. how ever the best antenna for 800mhz is the antenna that is made for that band.

 

[lovescanners]

Well the 330T is a handheld so it would be for that radio. Just looking for a good all around antenna that will pick up most anything.

 

[Junior08]

Radio Shack 800MHz antenna, model # 20-283 on their website.

 

[hiegtx]

I have a BR330T what is the best antenna to pick up 800 MHZ frequencies? I heard about the Diamond something but any others? Thanks.

The Radio Shack 800Mhz ant (20-283) is a good antenna for the trunked systems on that band, and does well on Uhf. You'd definitely hear the improvement over the stock antenna. However, you'll lose a bit on Vhf-high. To use this antenna, you'd need to use the adapter that came with your 330.

The Diamond antenna, RH77CA, is another good antenna. However, it's better suited for Vhf & Uhf. If your 800mhz systems are fairly close, or have a strong signal, this antenna will improve your reception on mil-air, civil air, as well as Vhf-high & Uhf, but it won't do much, if anything, for you on 800. It's also much longer, in the 15" range. See this link. The SRH77CA, on the same page, has an SMA connector, so you would not need to use an adapter for your 330.

I use a Diamond on my 330, but primarily listen to Vhf, Uhf, & aircraft, with only a few of the closer trunked systems on it. My 396 has the R/S 800Mhz antenna on it, with a large number of trunked systems. No single antenna for a handheld will get optimum reception on all bands. With the differences in frequencies & wavelengths, that's physically impossible. Pick what frequency or system coverage is most importantant to you, then base your antenna choice accordingly.

 

[bwhite]

Do a forum search under antennas, there are numerous threads comparing the RS antenna mentioned here and the Seeker. (RS being the best value for $ spent in my opinion but check the hits you get when you search).

 

[red8]

I too use the Radio Shack 800 Mhz handheld antenna on my BC396D
and it I get pretty good reception on it too. I strongly recomend it
too.
red8