troymail
Silent Key
Correct
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Better G5 Antenna
- Thread starter b1100mac
- Start date
- Status
Correct
OEM Motorola Full Size Duck
I have a G4 on the way, and already ordered one of the full size Motorola 700 / 800 mhz duck antennas. It's used, but OEM, and I figure for $8, why not give it a shot? Has anyone tried this genuine version of this full size antenna? My guess is that it's likely to do pretty well.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-MO...ANTENNA-for-XTS-1500-2500-5000-/272863961554?
I have a G4 on the way, and already ordered one of the full size Motorola 700 / 800 mhz duck antennas. It's used, but OEM, and I figure for $8, why not give it a shot? Has anyone tried this genuine version of this full size antenna? My guess is that it's likely to do pretty well.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-MO...ANTENNA-for-XTS-1500-2500-5000-/272863961554?
W8RMH
Feed Provider Since 2012
I'd never buy a used antenna the way people use them as a handle. They can be broken inside and it won't show.
goodmore
Member
I have the base/charger and had my attic antenna hooked to it. The antenna was actually too strong for my county trucked system and created distortion similar to what a scanner would do. The G5 sounds better by itself out of the base for the system. Until phase II is up and running on the G5 I will use the supplied wire plug in antenna on the back of the charger. When phase II is working I will want to pull in distant counties so I will check them with the attic antenna.
GTO_04
Member
troymail
Silent Key
This is important....
For a local system, particularly if it is a multi-site system and/or you are mobile, you may not want a "better" antenna. The radio has a tendency to "stick" to a site that isn't always the best choice. When traveling, using a RS 800 antenna instead of the stock antenna, the G5 sometimes holds on a site many miles behind me even after I've passed by the tower(s) for the next site along the trip.
On the other hand, for both non-simulcast and/or non "in building coverage" systems and to pull in more distant systems/sites, a better antenna is a must. I am about 8-10 miles from two sites of NC VIPER and without my RS 800 antenna, I can barely pick up either tower from inside my house.
Last edited:
goodmore
Member
Always a pleasure getting advice from you. Thanks!
Thanks for the advice.
I totally agree on the "antenna as a handle" thing. I bought a handheld scanner from a guy a few years back and when I met him he grabbed the scanner by the antenna to show it to me, irritating...and I see people do it all the time. However I specifically asked the seller if he would pick one out of the lot that was straight and looked nice, and he agreed to do th at. A tell-tale sign of "antenna as a handle" syndrome is a permanently bent antenna lol (usually). And if it doesn't perform better, oh well, an $8 gamble.
Interesting point on the antenna and staying attached to a weak site. I will keep that in mind for mobile use, but I typically either sit stationary at home or in the office when listening, and in both cases there is a system or two that will probably benefit from the extra gain.
I am glad I didn't spend the $40 that a new moto full size antenna runs, I know that.
I totally agree on the "antenna as a handle" thing. I bought a handheld scanner from a guy a few years back and when I met him he grabbed the scanner by the antenna to show it to me, irritating...and I see people do it all the time. However I specifically asked the seller if he would pick one out of the lot that was straight and looked nice, and he agreed to do th at. A tell-tale sign of "antenna as a handle" syndrome is a permanently bent antenna lol (usually). And if it doesn't perform better, oh well, an $8 gamble.
Interesting point on the antenna and staying attached to a weak site. I will keep that in mind for mobile use, but I typically either sit stationary at home or in the office when listening, and in both cases there is a system or two that will probably benefit from the extra gain.
I am glad I didn't spend the $40 that a new moto full size antenna runs, I know that.
I've been using a Motorola 8505241U11 - Motorola OEM Flexible Whip Antenna, Dual Band, 764-870 MHz, 7in on the stationary G5 in my home. $28.75 shipped. Works well…I get usable signal from the Supply, NC NCVIPER site, which is 24 air miles from home in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Geography is flat, but heavily forested coastal plain. Seems to do a bit better than the Remtronix 800 and no adapter needed. The other G5 is usually mobile with the stock antenna and still receives the PEA Landing NCVIPER site from inside car or house, minimum of 6 miles from home.
In my case, yes. I'm in a county with six simulcast sites. The full size whip would probably be a disaster (multi-path and overload) while mobile, although I haven't tried it. The stock stubby does well just about everywhere except for a few spots. Your situation could be entirely different though. The only way to know for sure is experiment at the locations you frequent. Distance, terrain, vegetation, presence of large bodies of water, humidity, precipitation, and wind all can affect ability to receive usable signal.
I have the full size 700 MHz / 800 MHz Moto whip installed and it is working great everywhere, including mobile, on the RWC simulcast system, all simulcasts, as well as multiple other simulcast systems. As someone mentioned you want to trim about 1/16 inch off of the rubber skirt, but do not trim the whole skirt off. The end of the SMA female is not recessed on the Moto whip, as it is with the Unication stubby, so you actually don't have to trim as much off as you think. I used a razor blade and took my time and it turned out perfect. The base sits perfectly snug and flush to the G4 case, creating a good water-tight seal. See picture:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ruagpthjl30di49/G4 With Moto Whip.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ruagpthjl30di49/G4 With Moto Whip.jpg?dl=0
I just wanted to share this very short video I made of my own un-scientific comparison of the stock stubby antenna and the full size Motorola 700/800 MHz whip antenna, both trying to pick up a distant system from my office, within a large steel-framed commercial building.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/axjiwyaygwste8x/Moto Whip vs. Stubby.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/axjiwyaygwste8x/Moto Whip vs. Stubby.mp4?dl=0
Antenna Pad on Bottom ?
I recently purchased a G4, needless to say, I have sold my 536 and 996P2 and am considering ordering a second G4. I think my research/testing is solid, but just trying to get confirmation on something. The antenna "pad" on the bottom of the G4's pins, is solely for V/UHF reception only, is that correct? I ohm'd the ring of the top G4 antenna connector and it zero's out to the pad labeled as ground. However, when I try the center pin to the pad identified as Antenna, I get nothing. Just looking for clarification before I proceed with modifying my standard drop in charger for mobile use.
I recently purchased a G4, needless to say, I have sold my 536 and 996P2 and am considering ordering a second G4. I think my research/testing is solid, but just trying to get confirmation on something. The antenna "pad" on the bottom of the G4's pins, is solely for V/UHF reception only, is that correct? I ohm'd the ring of the top G4 antenna connector and it zero's out to the pad labeled as ground. However, when I try the center pin to the pad identified as Antenna, I get nothing. Just looking for clarification before I proceed with modifying my standard drop in charger for mobile use.
Thank you for this post. Two years later, I am finding it useful now that I am migrating to Unication.
USScanner
Member
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2005
- Messages
- 46
EBay Link - Motorola VHF UHF 700 800 Antenna
Stock great inside metro area or as pocket radio. When want hear far away sites the quad band makes a difference on VHF & 700!
Absolutely fabulous radio.
Stock great inside metro area or as pocket radio. When want hear far away sites the quad band makes a difference on VHF & 700!
Absolutely fabulous radio.
Thank you.
I don't think the problems encountered when returning to the use of the stock antenna were actually determined to be the result of using the Motorola antenna. Anyway, in the interim, Unication has started selling an increased-gain antenna with a blue band that several of us have tried with varying degrees of success.
N6ML
Member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2008
- Messages
- 1,286
If you compare the connectors between Unication and Motorola (at least some Motorola's), you'll see that there's a recess in the end that's missing. If you screw the Motorola antenna on too far, it'll squish the pin, and prevent it from making a good connection to the stock antenna.
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