BNC Portable Antenna Suggestions

[sefrischling]

Anyone have a BNC non-telescoping flexible antenna they really like for the SDS100?

I have been using a dual band HYS antenna on my 396xt for years, and its OK, and an 7/800 specific antenna on the SDS100, but I figure there has to be a better antenna option than this.

In the truck, I have a BNC connection in the SDS 100 that leads to an NMO antenna that works great, the same one that the SDS200 is on. But for the times I take the scanner out of the truck, I'd like to find a better solution ... preferably a non-telescoping solution.

 

[laidback]

Give this a look :

Amazon.com

 

[sefrischling]

That looks like an interesting solution.

Thanks.

 

[hazrat8990]

When I broke the antenna on my 436HP, I replaced it with one from here: https://www.smileyantenna.com/default.asp

I went with the marine version that was tuned with 155MHz as the center frequency, since it was the best match for my state's P25 system. It runs circles around the stock antenna on VHF, and although it's not tuned for 800MHz, it works just as good as the stock one did.

Since you're shopping around, I suggest finding one that's tuned for what you need.

 

[serial14]

I really enjoy the antennas from Signal Sticks Archives — Signal Stuff I've used both the dual band and 440 single band versions. Both as a whip on the radio and on my ground plane hub. I don't do much 7/800 work to comment on their performance in that band. But in VHF/UHF they easily perform better than OEM.

 

[wtp]

have an antenna that matches what is in the radio.
if you have other bands to receive, get more radios !
you can never have too many radios.

 

[PCTEK]

My request is very similar to the OP. I plan to mount my Uniden 996P2 in my car. Being that the car is pretty new, I don't want to drill any holes for an antenna. Is there a flexible (non-telescoping) antenna that I can use that will still provide decent reception? I mostly scan VHF-HI, UHF analog and P25. Thank you for your advice

 

[Sierra-117]

REM-842B REMTRONIX Portable Triband Antenna

BNC VHF/UHF/800 MHz REM-842B REMTRONIX Triband antenna | Scanner Master

BNC VHF/UHF/800 MHz REM-842B REMTRONIX Triband antenna

www.scannermaster.com

 

[trentbob]

Error

 

[PCTEK]

Thank you all for the quick reply. I know having an antenna connected to the back of my 996P2 that's mounted inside my car will degrade the ability to receive, but we'll see how it goes.

 

[trentbob]

I apologize that I got your thread mixed up with another recent thread. I have a suggestion. I'm surprised no one's chimed in yet with this.

It's been marketed several different ways but, you can mount it with Magnetic or lip mount but of course drilling a hole on the roof of your car or at least your trunk is always your advantage LOL.

Don't know what else is it available with the supply shortage but this antenna came for half the price without the heavy duty mount and spring, but it is NMO.

 

[trentbob]

Okay taking a closer look you are looking for your SDS 100, I use the Watson 801, pretty much impossible to find in SMA which may or may not work with the 100, but I would recommend using the adapter and using the BNC. Good luck.

 

[palmerjrusa]

I really enjoy the antennas from Signal Sticks Archives — Signal Stuff I've used both the dual band and 440 single band versions. Both as a whip on the radio and on my ground plane hub. I don't do much 7/800 work to comment on their performance in that band. But in VHF/UHF they easily perform better than OEM.

I love the Signal Sticks, probably use them more than my Diamonds, Comets etc..

 

[rf_patriot200]

I apologize that I got your thread mixed up with another recent thread. I have a suggestion. I'm surprised no one's chimed in yet with this.

It's been marketed several different ways but, you can mount it with Magnetic or lip mount but of course drilling a hole on the roof of your car or at least your trunk is always your advantage LOL.

Don't know what else is it available with the supply shortage but this antenna came for half the price without the heavy duty mount and spring, but it is NMO.View attachment 159966

You beat me too it !! I've got a couple of these. Arcadian seems to have the best price so far.

 

[Bob1955]

Give this a look :

Amazon.com

laidback- This antenna is "GARBAGE".
Look at Diamond as it is a much better product. Even Comet is better but very "pricey" on Scanner Master too.
Antenna Farm is a very good outfit but since it is 4:12AM, I'm too tired to look it up now.
Been real busy selling used vintage scanners/programming/software updates as that's my business now since I'm a retired volunteer firefighter and work for Breaking News Network. I can ONLY use quality stuff for this high-pressure job.
Mainly have police officers and firefighter's customer base.

 

[sefrischling]

When I broke the antenna on my 436HP, I replaced it with one from here: https://www.smileyantenna.com/default.asp

I went with the marine version that was tuned with 155MHz as the center frequency, since it was the best match for my state's P25 system. It runs circles around the stock antenna on VHF, and although it's not tuned for 800MHz, it works just as good as the stock one did.

Since you're shopping around, I suggest finding one that's tuned for what you need.

I use a VHF NMO for the SDS200, it is does very well with the VHF , UHF R1, UHF R2 and 7/800. So I have considered a VHF, as I monitor those four bands all day for work.

 

[sefrischling]

Okay taking a closer look you are looking for your SDS 100, I use the Watson 801, pretty much impossible to find in SMA which may or may not work with the 100, but I would recommend using the adapter and using the BNC. Good luck.

I previously had the Watson, in BNC, but have not seen them in a while. Not even Scanner Master has them.

 

[sefrischling]

have an antenna that matches what is in the radio.
if you have other bands to receive, get more radios !
you can never have too many radios.

Well, when I get in my truck in the morning for work ... I have a Harris XG-100P, XL-200, Motorola XTS3000, XTL2500, Kenwood VP5000, TK790, TK890, along with a personal Ailince HD1 and Anytone 878 (just because they have batteries that last forever and allow me to monitor and answer two channels at once when I am out of the truck).

Having too many radios has yet to be an issue for me. Outside of serving as a Fire Service Public Information Officer, I am also on a State Incident Management Team, a regional Tech Rescue Task Force, and am contracted to an Emergency Management service's command staff ... so I like to listen to everything. It makes my job easier. When things go sideways, hearing every agency or municipality impacted allows me do my job faster and more effectively.

 

[n1chu]

A couple of things crossed my mind when considering a good replacement antenna for the stock BNC rubber duck on the SDS100. First, I am working under the thought you are NOT asking about a mobile antenna with coax.

Given the fact the best gain antennas are very long, they become cumbersome. They just get in the way. I’ve got one and never use it because of its long length. Another downside of these longer antennas is the added stress they may put on the antenna connection at the radio. While the antennas length/weight have probably been taken into consideration, and deemed as acceptable, there’s no need to push the envelope… especially if you learn the added gain over something like the BNC VHF/UHF/800 MHz REM-842B REMTRONIX Portable Triband Antenna doesn’t do all that much for you.

 

[ecps92]

Anyone have a BNC non-telescoping flexible antenna they really like for the SDS100?

I have been using a dual band HYS antenna on my 396xt for years, and its OK, and an 7/800 specific antenna on the SDS100, but I figure there has to be a better antenna option than this.

In the truck, I have a BNC connection in the SDS 100 that leads to an NMO antenna that works great, the same one that the SDS200 is on. But for the times I take the scanner out of the truck, I'd like to find a better solution ... preferably a non-telescoping solution.

What works for me, may not work for you
Pryme Radio Products RD-8H PRYME RD-8H VHF/UHF HT Antennas | DX Engineering Altho VHF/UHF works quite well for me on 800/900 and supreme on VHF/UHF from the Home Office using the ole Radio Shack version of this
WCLIP-1 - Window Clip Mount With BNC sitting on the Metal shelve/Racks