Best Mobile Antenna for 130-170mhz

[RadioScannerSA]

Hi

I have a whistler WS1040 connected to a long antenna on the side of the car. It's an antenna that I see many cars with 2 way radios are using, but I'm not sure of the model exactly, as I just bought it off the shelf.

However, when I'm driving around, there is a lot of white noise when the scanner picks up a frequency. I can hear very faint talking in the background, but still, it's overpowered by the noise.

I read that I should have a mhz specific antenna to make the signal and quality better.
Any suggestions on an antenna for that range specifically? Perhaps one for 400mhz range too, but less important.

 

[mmckenna]

A 1/4 wave VHF will give good performance across the 130-170MHz range. It's a fairly wide band design and what I use at work for our radios that need to cover stuff from 151 up to 168.

A 1/4 wave VHF will also work as a 3/4 wave antenna on UHF. I've used that setup with dual band amateur radios successfully for years.

 

[RadioScannerSA]

Thanks!
Would you be able to send me a link to one in specific that you would recommend?

 

[mmckenna]

Sure!

You'll need an NMO mount to put these on.

I've personally and professionally used both of these antennas and would absolutely recommend either one:

EM Wave EMFLX-M10001 - Field Tunable Mobile Antennas

VHF/UHF Broad Band quarter-wave roof mount antenna, e/m-Flex® Poly spring 108-520 MHz (tunable range)

theantennafarm.com

Larsen NMOWBQB140 - VHF Quarter Wave Antennas

140 – 300 MHz 1/4 wave whip with spring omnidirectional antenna NMO Base. NMO mount sold separately.

theantennafarm.com

Both of these antennas are tunable, so they come with a cut chart that tells you how long to cut the whip. For what you are using them for, cut them for the middle of the VHF band, around 156MHz. The'll cover your range just fine, and as I said, work as 3/4 wave antennas on UHF.

 

[engineco94]

Good day. I am looking for a very flexible VHF 1/4 wave antenna for our ems rigs as the new box is taller than previous and hit the overhead door opening. Would the EMFLX-M10001 mentioned on this thread work? If not I would be open to suggestions. Thank you.

 

[mmckenna]

Good day. I am looking for a very flexible VHF 1/4 wave antenna for our ems rigs as the new box is taller than previous and hit the overhead door opening. Would the EMFLX-M10001 mentioned on this thread work? If not I would be open to suggestions. Thank you.

The whip isn't super flexible, but it has a spring on the base.
If it's hitting the top of the bay doors, you might want to look at a Sti-Co 1/4 wave antenna. They are very flexible and are designed for that sort of application.

 

[prcguy]

For the OP, a Laird 1/2 wave wide band antenna will give more gain than a 1/4 wave whip and cover 132-174MHz without tuning. I've used these in the past and they work well. https://www.tessco.com/product/132-174-wideband-1-2-wave-spring-black-306300

 

[k7ng]

+1 for the Sti-Co flexible antennas. If you really need them. Expensive. But you can literally tie the whip in a loose knot. It's still just a 1/4 wave antenna on VHF. None of my customers have ever managed to damage one.

 

[JT-112]

Stico. Will not break.

Well, your wallet but that's another story.

 

[engineco94]

The whip isn't super flexible, but it has a spring on the base.
If it's hitting the top of the bay doors, you might want to look at a Sti-Co 1/4 wave antenna. They are very flexible and are designed for that sort of application.

I looked at the Sti-Co and yes a little pricy, but if that is what is available I will go with them. Thanks all for your replies.

 

[mmckenna]

I looked at the Sti-Co and yes a little pricy, but if that is what is available I will go with them. Thanks all for your replies.

Cheaper than lowering the ambulance or raising the bay roof.

 

[RadioScannerSA]

Hi All,

Just wanted to give an update. This is my antenna that's giving a lot of white noise and not so clear.
Does it make sense to you that this would do that? It looks like a powerful antenna to me.
Someone mentioned to cut the whip, does that help? How long should I cut it, if so?


Also, does Laird External Antennas TE - 132-174 Wideband 1/2 Wave Spring, Black - BB1322WS - Tessco connect to the whistler?

 

[KevinC]

What frequency range are you trying to receive? You also mention 400 mHz. And I’m guessing you are not in the US.

 

[hill]

Your fender mounted antenna looks to be a low band one for 30-50 Mhz and most likely not work well for VHF high band.

One for your frequencies would only be around 18 inches. Plus be able to mounted on roof.

 

[mmckenna]

Hi All,

Just wanted to give an update. This is my antenna that's giving a lot of white noise and not so clear.
Does it make sense to you that this would do that? It looks like a powerful antenna to me.
Someone mentioned to cut the whip, does that help? How long should I cut it, if so?

I'm trying to figure out what I'm looking at. The photo doesn't make it easy to determine what you setup is. It looks to be a whip with an open coil at the base.

And, is that a magnetic mount stuck on the fender?

Without knowing what kind of antenna that is, it would be a guess for anyone to know what is going on.

Looking at it, I'll make a guess:

You have the antenna down below the roof of the vehicle, and that's going to make it perform very poorly. You want the antenna on top of the vehicle if you want it to work well.

You also have the antenna and coax really close to the engine, so it's possible it is picking up a lot of ignition noise, or noise from other vehicle systems. Another good reason to put the antenna up on the roof.

Also, does Laird External Antennas TE - 132-174 Wideband 1/2 Wave Spring, Black - BB1322WS - Tessco connect to the whistler?

I've been running those antennas for a while on some UTV's, like Polaris Rangers and the like.
They work fine for VHF and I've been happy with them. I'm using mine on VHF two way radios, not scanners.

The connection to your Whistler scanner will depend on what kind of mount you use. With the correct mount, it should work fine for VHF reception over a piece of the VHF band. It is not going to work quite as well over the entire 130-170MHz band, as its usable bandwidth is probably about 10-20MHz. If you really need that much useable bandwidth, you would probably do better with a simple 1/4 wave VHF antenna.

 

[mmckenna]

However, when I'm driving around, there is a lot of white noise when the scanner picks up a frequency. I can hear very faint talking in the background, but still, it's overpowered by the noise.

That really sounds like you are picking up interference from the vehicle. Does the noise go away when the engine is shut off.

Also, based on the photo, you've put the antenna in one of the worst places you can install it.

You may also have the scanner set up incorrectly.

 

[RadioScannerSA]

What frequency range are you trying to receive? You also mention 400 mHz. And I’m guessing you are not in the US.

130-170mhz is the most important for me. I'm not in the US.

 

[RadioScannerSA]

Your fender mounted antenna looks to be a low band one for 30-50 Mhz and most likely not work well for VHF high band.

One for your frequencies would only be around 18 inches. Plus be able to mounted on roof.

Ok thanks! This makes sense.
Would cutting the whip to be 18 inches help?

 

[RadioScannerSA]

And, is that a magnetic mount stuck on the fender?

Without knowing what kind of antenna that is, it would be a guess for anyone to know what is going on.

It is a magnetic mount.
I must apologize though, I don't know what specific antenna it is. I bought it off the shelf. I bought this one, because many cars with 2 way radios seem to have this antenna.

Looking at it, I'll make a guess:

You have the antenna down below the roof of the vehicle, and that's going to make it perform very poorly. You want the antenna on top of the vehicle if you want it to work well.

You also have the antenna and coax really close to the engine, so it's possible it is picking up a lot of ignition noise, or noise from other vehicle systems. Another good reason to put the antenna up on the roof.

Interesting, ok, thanks! I'll keep this in mind. I'll probably get another antenna based on these suggestions.

I've been running those antennas for a while on some UTV's, like Polaris Rangers and the like.
They work fine for VHF and I've been happy with them. I'm using mine on VHF two way radios, not scanners.

The connection to your Whistler scanner will depend on what kind of mount you use. With the correct mount, it should work fine for VHF reception over a piece of the VHF band. It is not going to work quite as well over the entire 130-170MHz band, as its usable bandwidth is probably about 10-20MHz. If you really need that much useable bandwidth, you would probably do better with a simple 1/4 wave VHF antenna.

Thanks.
That 1/4 wave antenna would be Larsen NMOWBQB140 - VHF Quarter Wave Antennas | The Antenna Farm that you suggested?

 

[RadioScannerSA]

That really sounds like you are picking up interference from the vehicle. Does the noise go away when the engine is shut off.

Also, based on the photo, you've put the antenna in one of the worst places you can install it.

Before it was installed in the car, I had it at the back of the car, by the trunk. I don't remember it being any better though. So it must be the antenna itself, it's not good for this range.