Best commercial grade antenna for 800mhz?

[bigmichaelcool]

I am searching for a commercial grade antenna for my handheld scanner. I think going with a commercial grade 2-way radio antenna would be the best option. Is there anyone who uses a commercial antenna and what do you think is the best one? Thanks for all opinions and info!!!

Michael

 

[W6KRU]

I have a Centurion 800 meg antenna I got from fleabay. It was only ~$5 with a couple bucks for shipping. I got one with an SMA connector and it works quite well. I don't have an RS 800 antenna to compare to but they have the same shape and I suspect it might be the same antenna.

I just took a quick look and don't see one on fleabay but I did find a tx/rx ant. cut for the 800 band that would probably be pretty good. Can't say for sure though but due to its ability to be used for tx I suspect it could be pretty good.

SCANNER ANTENNA HAM ANTENNA PRO TUNED 800-900 MHZ - eBay (item 260387700075 end time May-02-09 20:56:11 PDT)

 

[zz0468]

The "best"? Some would say maybe a custom made Bogner, but you probably don't need up or down tilt and null fill. Personally, I think they're somewhat over rated. Decibel makes some nice antennas in the $1000 to $1500 class. Those are more affordable than the Bogners. What did you say your budget was? That's likely to be the limiting factor.

I use commercial antennas at home. I'm partial to Kreco. A discone is gonna cost you maybe $500-700, depending. I'm not that up on their pricing. The last antenna I bought from them a year ago was a 3 element low band beam, for $1500.

Are you SURE you want a commercial grade antenna?

 

[bigmichaelcool]

Let me re-phrase what Im looking for. I am looking for a rubber antenna like the kind used on police or commercial 2-way radios to use on my handheld scanner for the 800mhz range. I dont think one of these are gonna cost $2000!!

Thanks again!!!

 

[tonsoffun]

You can post a ad here on the wanted ads, or like Dan said you can go to fleabay, there is lots there.

Ron

 

[zz0468]

Let me re-phrase what Im looking for. I am looking for a rubber antenna like the kind used on police or commercial 2-way radios to use on my handheld scanner for the 800mhz range. I dont think one of these are gonna cost $2000!!

Well, in that case, don't expect any miracles. rubber ducks are cruddy antennas, even the commercial grade ones. Good luck.

 

[W6KRU]

Well, in that case, don't expect any miracles. rubber ducks are cruddy antennas, even the commercial grade ones. Good luck.

Yeah, but I have trouble fitting my groundplane antenna on the table when we go out to eat.

 

[zz0468]

Yeah, but I have trouble fitting my groundplane antenna on the table when we go out to eat.

I hear that... I kept poking the waitress in the eye with my super stationmaster when I went out. I decided it's best to just leave the radios in the car.

 

[Metrofire31]

800 Antennas

I would recommend you consider Motorola 800 MHz antennas. I use them (obviously) on my Motorola XTS2500, XTS3000, and XTS5000 and to use them on my scanner, I simply connect a SMA-F/SMA-M adapter. Motorola makes a high-gain model that works well.

They are available from numerous vendors. Just to give you a visual on what I'm referring to, check this out:

Portable Radios - Motorola XTS2500 - XTS2500 Antennas - Amerizon Wireless