Centerfire VHF/UHF Multi Band Base Antenna (Review)

[N5TWB]

This is basically the same as the RS 20-176 "Sputnik" antenna that is available at half the price. Most users report good results with it.

Outdoor VHF-Hi/UHF Scanner Antenna - Radioshack

 

[joeuser]

This is basically the same as the RS 20-176 "Sputnik" antenna that is available at half the price. Most users report good results with it.

Outdoor VHF-Hi/UHF Scanner Antenna - Radioshack

Basically, although this has better gain in the MilAir area. It is also better constructed. I considered the ST3, as well as the ProComm Spider but at the end of the day... The Centerfire was the clear choice. Not only for the range I sought but for construction. I'll pay more, for better - anytime. Better to buy once, than twice...

 

[joeuser]

This is the final prep of the Centerfire antenna.

I used the COAX seal for the bottom part of the stud & JB Weld for the bottom whips. The JB Weld goop ain't pretty but its effective & only the birds & the bees will notice it.

I plan to put it up in a couple hours & run the coax from the antenna to a grounding block. Then another from the block into the shack.

Out of focus & to the top right of the second pic is what the package for the JB weld I'm using looks like, Stingray

 

[joeuser]

It's up & running. I sealed the coax connections at the antenna & the grounding block with Scotch 35 Vinyl tape & then used coax seal. Installation went very easy. Although, I do have another minor gripe... The mounting angle bracket that the main antenna stud seats through & where the downward plane whips attach is flat so its not the greatest. They include that one curved bracket to mount to the mast. I was thinking, if they had included two of them it would have a better grip on the mast. Better yet, the one could be spot welded to the mounting angle bracket for even greater stability! Probably minor, I'm sure I'm nit picking...

Anyway, I had to run an extra 20 ft of RG-6 for this antenna, as the ST2 I mounted last week is closer. However, the Centerfire outperforms the ST2 on the NWS channels. On the ST2, I got all the frequencies except one (& it was there but just under the squelch level) the Centerfire got ALL the NWS broadcasts. Well over the squelch level!

That's all I have had time to test, I plan to do more over the upcoming weeks. However, so far, it appears to be the better antenna... Very impressed, kind of wish I didn't have these extra RS Discones laying around! I'd like to try the Centerfire Discone model!

Oh, I forgot to take pics of the actual install. I left my phone in the office & don't climb up & down ladders for stuff that I can do without. I will take a picture tomorrow though!

 

[Voyager]

I would not be surprised if the extra signal were location-based rather than antenna-based. I wonder how the Centerfire would perform at the same location as the ST2 - especially given that the ST2 has more capture area.

 

[joeuser]

I would not be surprised if the extra signal were location-based rather than antenna-based. I wonder how the Centerfire would perform at the same location as the ST2 - especially given that the ST2 has more capture area.

I hadn't considered that. It is less than 2 feet from the ST2 though...

 

[Voyager]

For a comparison, or a test... find a local weather station on a portable antenna that isn't dead full quieting. Now, move it 2 feet in various directions and see if you can find a null in reception. I bet you do. 2 feet is a little over a quarter wave away at VHF. Maybe your ST2 is in a null the Centerfire isn't.

Another interesting test would be to move the ST2 to where the Centerfire is (so the base of the main radiator is the same place as the base of the Centerfire's main radiator). That way, you would have a direct comparison that uses the exact same conditions. And of course, move the Centerfire to the ST2's location. This may not be do-able, as the ST2 has a standoff and the CF does not.

Of course, this is only out of curiosity to see who really wins the battle.

 

[joeuser]

Here are the pics of the antenna(s)

 

[doublescan]

Nice pics JoeU, how is the CF doing with the aircraft band, the comm aircraft band? If you listen to that band any, that is. I have the ST2 and find it does a great job on VHF, and it will pull in the local RCAG for me, with an amp. I listen to aircraft band all the time, very interesting radio traffic. I've made my own ground planes cut for 128mhz , they do very well but the ST-2 usually does just a little better. With the amp on ST2 though, it is noticeably better.

 

[joeuser]

Nice pics JoeU, how is the CF doing with the aircraft band, the comm aircraft band? If you listen to that band any, that is. I have the ST2 and find it does a great job on VHF, and it will pull in the local RCAG for me, with an amp. I listen to aircraft band all the time, very interesting radio traffic. I've made my own ground planes cut for 128mhz , they do very well but the ST-2 usually does just a little better. With the amp on ST2 though, it is noticeably better.

Thank you!

I haven't had time to test specific bands yet but I do listen to that myself. I will report back my finding, as unscientific as they may be...

 

[joeuser]

Couple days of high wind, rain, wet & dry snow - wind driven...

Interested to see how my antennas & masts handled it...

 

[joeuser]

Everything seems solid for both the Centerfire & the ST2. In my unscientific testing, it seems the Centerfire is doing better than the ST2. Trying to think of ways to test it better. I'm also considering another antenna, not a Discone (ST4), ST2 or ST3... Something that's wide ranging like my others... I can't think of anything different & proven...

 

[Voyager]

Again, any particular bands of interest? I find a Ringo Ranger (yes, a 2M ham antenna) to work very well on VHF, pretty well on UHF and 800, and passable on Low Band. Note: Ringo Ranger - not Ringo, and not Ringo Ranger II.

On the test, there is always the ST2/CF location swap. If the CF still performs better, I would consider another one of those, too.

 

[joeuser]

No, nothing in a specific band, I like to listen to anything & everything. That's why I don't have any specialized antennas, while the gain would be great for whatever area its tuned for, it would be not so hot on the rest. I'll check out the product you mentioned, I might get the Procomm Spider after all & just see if it's any good for myself & report back... Not sure yet, if I will do that - just considering it.

 

[Voyager]

Radioshack.com has the ST2 on sale for $31 with free shipping in case that influences your decision. Keep in mind the current RS issues, though. Still, I would think the website should remain open for now.

 

[joeuser]

Radioshack.com has the ST2 on sale for $31 with free shipping in case that influences your decision. Keep in mind the current RS issues, though. Still, I would think the website should remain open for now.

Yeah, I considered another ST2 or Centerfire *even another Discone*, but I really want something different...

 

[joeuser]

OK, spent a lot of time last couple days with the Centerfire & ST2 to compare performance. By no means scientific but... the ST2 REALLY sucks in the VHF signals, better than the Centerfire but after that, its the Centerfire. The Centerfire is surpassing the ST2 on pretty much everything else...

Still to close to call on the 800's though...

 

[joeuser]

The ST2 & the Centerfire seem to be about the same in the 800's, its really hard to say as I have limited options as far as TRS to monitor. If anything the Centerfire may be, possibly, slightly better - maybe. As a side note, I'm taking the plunge with the Procomm Spider as my final antenna.

 

[majoco]

The ST2 & the Centerfire seem to be about the same in the 800's

Yes, but are they good? Equally bad, perhaps.

 

[joeuser]

It's all relative. I'm positive they are the best bang for the buck.