Broad band hand held antennas on Ebay

[prcguy]

Here is a chance to get the $260 something dollar 30-512MHz rubber duckie used on the current military PRC-148/MBITR radio for $7.99! These will provide a very good VSWR over the entire range but the performance in the 30-90MHz band is marginal as can be expected, although I tested one with a mag mount on 6m and I can key up most of the 6m repeaters within about 50mi from my vehicle using 5w. They do work great in the VHF/UHF and both aircraft bands and you can transmit up to about 10w. They terminate in a male TNC connector. The Ebay item # is 110313962304.
prcguy

 

[blueangel-eric]

Here is a chance to get the $260 something dollar 30-512MHz rubber duckie used on the current military PRC-148/MBITR radio for $7.99! These will provide a very good VSWR over the entire range but the performance in the 30-90MHz band is marginal as can be expected, although I tested one with a mag mount on 6m and I can key up most of the 6m repeaters within about 50mi from my vehicle using 5w. They do work great in the VHF/UHF and both aircraft bands and you can transmit up to about 10w. They terminate in a male TNC connector. The Ebay item # is 110313962304.
prcguy

a rubber duck for $260 omg that's a lot of money for a portable antenna!!!!

 

[prcguy]

There is a lot of engineering involved to make it work efficiently. The radio that uses it cost around $7k.
prcguy

a rubber duck for $260 omg that's a lot of money for a portable antenna!!!!

 

[digitalanalog]

I just bought 2 of these.

With just the RR members alone, these should go Very FAST.

There are still 6 of these available.

Thanks prcguy for the heads up

 

[prcguy]

I probably have 6 or more around here somewhere, but I also have something they can plug into.
prcguy

I just bought 2 of these.

With just the RR members alone, these should go Very FAST.

There are still 6 of these available.

Thanks prcguy for the heads up

 

[digitalanalog]

I see others on ebay as well.

Must not be that big of a deal if they are that readily available.

Can you provide a link to the facts of this antenna as per your OP.

 

[prcguy]

https://secure.thalescomminc.com/cart2/catalog_details2.asp?ID=97

Plus I've done extensive testing with these and similar antennas over the last few years.
prcguy

I see others on ebay as well.

Must not be that big of a deal if they are that readily available.

Can you provide a link to the facts of this antenna as per your OP.

 

[digitalanalog]

Same antenna here for $9.99 + $8.00 shipping (more then 10 available)
http://cgi.ebay.com/THALES-ANTENNA-...-NEW-LOOK_W0QQitemZ350122164778QQcmdZViewItem

 

[prcguy]

They used to go for $50 on up used on Ebay until a large amount of surplus antennas showed up recently.
prcguy

Same antenna here for $9.99 + $8.00 shipping (more then 10 available)
http://cgi.ebay.com/THALES-ANTENNA-...-NEW-LOOK_W0QQitemZ350122164778QQcmdZViewItem

 

[digitalanalog]

Thanks for the link
guess you have to be a member to get pricing.

Well i guess i will just have to waite till it arrives and see how well it works (receive only of course)
and i will pass the 2nd one off to be tried for TX.

Thanks again prc

 

[prcguy]

Plug one into an antenna analyzer and you will be pleasently surprised.
prcguy

Thanks for the link
guess you have to be a member to get pricing.

Well i guess i will just have to waite till it arrives and see how well it works (receive only of course)
and i will pass the 2nd one off to be tried for TX.

Thanks again prc

 

[blueangel-eric]

There is a lot of engineering involved to make it work efficiently. The radio that uses it cost around $7k.
prcguy

what the heck is in it that's different? It just looks like a typical duck. i though there is no perfect duck?

 

[mancow]

I swept mine with an MFJ-249. It was flat from 25-170. Actual field strength tests indicated that it was most efficient in the Vhf 136-160 range. Lowband was fair but nothing great. It does make a hell of a Vhf scanner antenna. I can attest to that. Uhf is marginal. 800 is not an option.

 

[prcguy]

These are not for 800 and they have varying degrees of loss depending on frequency. But where else are you going to find a 13" long antenna that provides a good match from CB through UHF with no gaps and acutally works ok? As I mentioned before with one of these on a modified Larsen mag mount I can talk through most 6m (50MHz) repeaters within 50mi using a 5w handheld. In a mag mount configuration it would make a great travel antenna for a Yaesu VX-7 covering 6m, 2m, 220 and 440MHz. This antenna works much better with a large ground plane under it and should also be usable for short range 27MHz CB.
prcguy

I swept mine with an MFJ-249. It was flat from 25-170. Actual field strength tests indicated that it was most efficient in the Vhf 136-160 range. Lowband was fair but nothing great. It does make a hell of a Vhf scanner antenna. I can attest to that. Uhf is marginal. 800 is not an option.

 

[digitalanalog]

Received the 2 antennas and picked up a TNC/BNC adapter.

Just received the adapter today, so testing this weekend to see
how well it works and where it works on what bands.

All testing will be done for RX (no 800 monitoring) and not TX.

More to follow.

 

[FrankJ]

Hmmm....so the reception on this will "blow away" a $20.00 Diamond RH77CA?

 

[chrismol1]

wow!
from what everyone else is saying
this rubber duckie looks like it can be a nice rubber on a 5 watt VHF, wonder how much range it gets on 5 watts verses a diamond antenna

 

[digitalanalog]

My review on this Antenna:

I live in a rural area.
My location is in a valley surrounded by tall tree's.

I tested on a SC150B Handheld scanner (my best receiving handheld).

Placement was on a coffee table next to a large living room window (best reception without going outside).

A TNC / BNC adapter was used.

Handheld scanner battery fully charged.

No other devices/equipment was on in the same room during the testing (no TV or gaming equipment etc.ect...)
also there was No table light on near the radio.

Tested for approx. 6 hours on and off during the day.

Squelch set to center position.

My normal scanning bands are as follows:
29.7 - 50.0 MHz Low Band
108 - 137 MHz Aircraft Band
150 - 160 MHz High Band
Misc 400.00 MHZ channels.
No Digital was monitored

I have limited reception in my location.
and i am lucky that better then 95% of the
Police/Fire/EMS are still NON-Digital.

The results
29.7 - 50.0 MHz Low Band Very Poor
108 - 137 MHz Aircraft Band Good
150 - 160 MHz High Band 150 - 155 Good (above 155 MHz Poor)
Misc 400.00 MHZ channels. Good

These ratings are based on 2 other antennas i normally use.
Stock Bearcat duckie (came with the Radio used for testing)
Scan Duck (this ducky antenna works great)

So overall...........

The Thale antenna worked better then the stock bearcat ducky antenna on MOST levels
but the Scan Duck actually covers the bands better and receives certain portions of the bands
listed, that the Thale antenna did not or did not work as good.

My final comments.

For a high end Broadband antenna under my listening situation i have to rate it as a 5 out of 10.

Your ratings and situations will more then likely be different.

Remember NO TX was done and No Digital RX was done.

 

[mancow]

I tried in on my IC-21 Icom aircraft transceiver and the difference is incredible. It practically doubles the reception.

 

[chrismol1]

I tried in on my IC-21 Icom aircraft transceiver and the difference is incredible. It practically doubles the reception.

you think its worth it to buy one of these Thales Broadband antennas?

hey, anyone see this ? the same guy is selling a Harris goose neck military antenna? any comments on the goose neck vs. the broadband?
http://cgi.ebay.com/HARRIS-MILITARY...photoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262