Does low profile (soda can) Antenna exist for VHF/UHF/800?

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sefrischling

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I have searched and not found an answer ... but ... does a low profile, soda can style, antenna exist for VHF/UHF/800? If not, can anyone suggest a good VHF/UHF dual band low profile antenna and I'll just use a traditional 800mhz antenna for that range?

The dual band and triband antenna on my roof are getting obliterated by parking garages, so any help is appreciated.

Thank you.
 

wa8pyr

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I have searched and not found an answer ... but ... does a low profile, soda can style, antenna exist for VHF/UHF/800? If not, can anyone suggest a good VHF/UHF dual band low profile antenna and I'll just use a traditional 800mhz antenna for that range?

The dual band and triband antenna on my roof are getting obliterated by parking garages, so any help is appreciated.

There are single band low-profile antennas for VHF and UHF, but not both in a single antenna that I've ever seen.

I suspect your best bet will be separate low-profile antennas fed into a diplexer.

VHF Mobile Antennas, 130 - 174 MHz, Low Profile | TESSCO 800 472 7373

UHF Mobile Antennas, 380 - 512 MHz, Low Profile | TESSCO 800 472 7373
 

popnokick

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I got tired of smacking antennas into my garage, trees, parking garages, etc. I now use this, which is basically a dual band rubber duck on the roof. Works great for 2M and 440.... Better than the soup can antennas. should receive 800 OK
http://www.aesham.com/uhf/comet-sbb-1/
 

sefrischling

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Wa8pyr,

Thanks, I already figure I need to use a separate low band, but luckily there is not much low band left for what I listen to. If I go with two low profiles that are VHF and UHF specific, I need a third NMO for 800 and am trying to keep it to two discrete antennas.
 

sefrischling

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PopNoKick,

Thanks, that looks interesting. I have always found UHF mounts a tad weak. I wonder if one of those exists in NMO.
 

popnokick

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It certainly does come in NMO... the SBB-1NMO. That's the exact model I use. Flexes over every time I pull into my garage... and I couldn't care less (nor could the antenna or garage door).
 

w2xq

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I've used a NMO Comet B-6 dual-band antenna for years. Mounted atop the rear hatch of a Ford Escape, it clears both my garage door and Center City Philadelphia parking garages. And it stands up to being whacked by drooping snow-laden holly tree branches hanging over the driveway. HTH.
 

AK9R

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Tom, could you elaborate on that Comet model number. I don't see it on their web site.
 

sefrischling

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It certainly does come in NMO... the SBB-1NMO. That's the exact model I use. Flexes over every time I pull into my garage... and I couldn't care less (nor could the antenna or garage door).


Thanks! I will certainly take a look at this.

How is it for picking up other frequency ranges with scanning? Is it capable of picking up 46mhz, even if crappily (is that a word?) . This antenna with an 800mhz antenna may give me what I need.
 

sefrischling

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Tom,

I don't see the Comet B-6 anywhere. Do you know if there is a newer version? My truck is a GMC Yukon XL, so everything up there gets whacked around. I have broken a few.
 

sefrischling

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Anyone have experience with the Tram 1181? Is so, aside from is it a decent antenna, is it a 'bendy whip' or is it rigid?
 

popnokick

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My Comet SBB-1 is used solely for my Alinco DR-635 dual band rig (TX/RX 2M/440). For my scanner I use a Tram 1199. It works fine for what I need on my BCT-15 scanner, including VHF low and 800 (what little I listen to there). I like the 1199 because I can tilt it back on the mount to clear the garages. And with a mobile scanner I'm more interested in what's happening in about a 10-15 mile radius around my car... not two or three counties away.
 

N5TWB

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The basic VHF 1/4 wave @ 19" does a pretty good job in my experience. I've received from 44-860 MHz on a mag mount version. Of course, on some vehicles, SUVs for example, that might still be too long for the standard height garage entries.
 

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sefrischling said:
Tom,

I don't see the Comet B-6 anywhere. Do you know if there is a newer version? My truck is a GMC Yukon XL, so everything up there gets whacked around. I have broken a few.

Oops, looks like the B-6 antenna I like has been replaced with the 4" longer B-10 http://www.cometantenna.com/products.php?CatID=1&famID=4&childID=4, and it would whack my garage door. :( Sorry slow to reply. I got mine at HRO; maybe it might be worth asking to see if one might remain on the shelves somewhere around the store chain. A query to NCG corporate might turn one up. HTH.
 

TLF82

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I use laird phantom antennas for uhf ham and 33cm ham. They preform extremely well. I keep a uhf maxrad collinear in my truck as well. Every time I put it in place of one of the two phantoms on the roof of my truck I only get about a few extra miles of usable signal. The same is true on 900...

As far as vhf I use a 1/4 wave...

I am beyond pleased with the phantom antennas. I use them without hesitation. They even do well on local simplex.

I'll add this is all being done with motorola radios.
 

KB7MIB

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Can you get away with a trunk lip mount on the trunk lid, or even the left side of the hood? Put a VHF/UHF antenna there, and a Phantom type for 700/800 on the roof.
Just a suggestion to help clear low clearances, but retaining a more full size antenna on VHF/UHF. Most of the comments that I have read here on the forums, say that Phantom type antennas are poor performers on VHF. They're best used at UHF and up.
 

DisasterGuy

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I use Laird Phantom antennas exclusively for UHF and 800 public safety. The VHF phantom on the other hand has very serious limitations pertaining to both performance and bandwidth. Google the Sharkee antenna to see if it would perhaps meet your needs. It looks like a euro style antenna and is low profile. It does LTE, WiFi, GPS and VHF-800 in one mount. We have started to use them in certain public safety applications with very good luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

wsykes41770

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I have searched and not found an answer ... but ... does a low profile, soda can style, antenna exist for VHF/UHF/800? If not, can anyone suggest a good VHF/UHF dual band low profile antenna and I'll just use a traditional 800mhz antenna for that range?

The dual band and triband antenna on my roof are getting obliterated by parking garages, so any help is appreciated.

Thank you.

Check out Panorama Antennas Covert Internal Glassmount antenna. They are available for both UHF and 800. Unfortunantly, they don't make one for VHF. They run about $30 each. We use the 800 MHz version here in Nashville on our unmarked cars. They work great. The website is Internal Glassmount Antenna - Panorama Antennas - Specialists in Antennas. This will take you straight to the page about those antennas.

Good luck.
 
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