BCD325P2/BCD996P2: BNC splitter

[Matt9638]

So I was thinking about using a splitter on my BCD996P2 to give a dedicated vhf antenna and uhf antenna. Will this work, increase reception. I currently use a a window base interior antenna that is not that bad. My other choices are

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/laird-technologies-abscancs-5587.html

Or

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/laird-technologies-ab150-450c-7023.html

If I did the splitter I would be using low profile antennas

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Thoughts please share

Mostly listen to several vhf channels and a uhf and a uhf type 2 Motorola trunk system.

 

[Matt9638]

Antennas

 

[mmckenna]

Joining two antennas together using a splitter likely won't have the desired effect.
Also, those antennas you linked to are often poor performers, especially on VHF.

A single dedicated antenna will outperform those:
http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-nmo150-450-800-1050.html

Combining multiple antennas without proper matching, filtering, etc. can actually cancel out any benefits. It can be done, but it isn't as simple as just connecting the two with a BNC "T" adapter.

A better solution would be to put the money into a quality NMO mount outside the vehicle, preferably permanent mount, with a single antenna designed for the frequencies you want to listen to. While the low profile antennas are aesthetically more attractive, on the lower frequencies they are known poor performers. They'll often work just "okay" on UHF and better on 800, but performance will be awful on VHF.

 

[Matt9638]

Thanks mmckenna

 

[mmckenna]

I know a fellow radio tech that bought one of those "football" shaped VHF antennas. He had it on top of his truck for about a week and then got rid of it. He was totally disappointed with the performance. He replaced it with a simple 1/4 wave antenna.
On RX, the performance is terrible. You can't take an antenna and smash it down into a container that small and expect it to work.
On TX, they will only handle a very limited amount of RF power before turning into a smoldering mass on your vehicle. They are also -very- narrow bandwidth. Useable range is often less than 1MHz wide.

They do look good though, and in some situations where you are running low power on a single frequency, or a very narrow band of channels, and only need short range, they do work. But a $10 1/4 wave VHF whip will outperform it any day and probably be even lower profile.

 

[cmdrwill]

But a $10 1/4 wave VHF whip will outperform it any day and probably be even lower profile.

Exactly...