mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
I'm going to be deploying new multiband radios for an application at work, and have been trying out different multiband antennas from various manufacturers. I don't want to put up with the Motorola/PCTel monstrosity. The county I'm in has had to replace more than a few of them, and for the price they should be more durable...
I've done the Larsen multiband antennas in this thread: Larsen Multi-Band antennas
Here's the sweeps from the EM Wave EM-M43002.
theantennafarm.com
The antenna is rated for 150-162MHz at <2:1swr, 450-490MHz <2.5:1swr and 763-870MHz at <2:1swr.
The antenna was installed on the existing permanent mount Larsen NMO-HF mount dead center on the roof of a crew cab F350, so pretty much a near perfect ground plane. Testing was done with an Agilent spectrum analyzer with tracking generator.
I used the antenna straight out of the bag. The whip is adjustable, but I left it where it is from the factory.
Here's the sweep from 30MHz to 1GHz. Yes, I know the antenna isn't rated for that, but someone always wants to know "will it work on low band?". Answer, not well, and here's proof:
VHF, it appears to do better than the posted specs. I'd have no qualms using this across the VHF band from 2 meters to 174MHz. Seems to favor the middle of the VHF band, which makes sense for public safety type users. Would have no problems running on the lower 151MHz all the way up into the 160/170MHz federal stuff.
UHF, again, seems to do a bit better than posted specs. Looks like it would do just fine on the amateur 70cm band, 460MHz public safety/commercial, GMRS and well up into the T band. Seems to favor a bit low on the UHF spectrum, but low SWR isn't the only measure of a good antenna, and the SWR is just fine for any modern radio.
700MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz sweep, again, SWR is low. Pay no attention to that big blip around 854, I was testing about 1/4 mile from my trunked system and that was the control channel.
I like the sweeps. Looks like it would be a good performer for one of the new multiband mobiles. I like the antenna. I've got a few EM Wave VHF 1/4 wave antennas I'm using on both personal trucks, and they've been great antennas.
My only complaint with the antenna is the spring makes a bit of noise when the antenna bounces around from a tree branch strike. Not an issue, but I wish they had used the flex spring from the 1/4 wave antennas, but I suspect the larger spring helps with bandwidth.
I still prefer the Larsen a bit more. Not sure why, the specs are pretty close. I think it may be a visual thing. I do think EM Wave has a better base design.
Either way, both antennas look good. For the price, <$40, it's a good deal. I'll probably run it on my work truck for a while and see how it does. If it's like the other EM Wave antennas, I suspect it'll do just fine.
I've done the Larsen multiband antennas in this thread: Larsen Multi-Band antennas
Here's the sweeps from the EM Wave EM-M43002.
EM Wave EM-M43002 - Triple Band Mobile Antennas
EM-M43002 Tri-Band IP67 Rated Roof Mount Antenna, 150-162/450-490/763-870 MHz
theantennafarm.com
The antenna was installed on the existing permanent mount Larsen NMO-HF mount dead center on the roof of a crew cab F350, so pretty much a near perfect ground plane. Testing was done with an Agilent spectrum analyzer with tracking generator.
I used the antenna straight out of the bag. The whip is adjustable, but I left it where it is from the factory.
Here's the sweep from 30MHz to 1GHz. Yes, I know the antenna isn't rated for that, but someone always wants to know "will it work on low band?". Answer, not well, and here's proof:
VHF, it appears to do better than the posted specs. I'd have no qualms using this across the VHF band from 2 meters to 174MHz. Seems to favor the middle of the VHF band, which makes sense for public safety type users. Would have no problems running on the lower 151MHz all the way up into the 160/170MHz federal stuff.
UHF, again, seems to do a bit better than posted specs. Looks like it would do just fine on the amateur 70cm band, 460MHz public safety/commercial, GMRS and well up into the T band. Seems to favor a bit low on the UHF spectrum, but low SWR isn't the only measure of a good antenna, and the SWR is just fine for any modern radio.
700MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz sweep, again, SWR is low. Pay no attention to that big blip around 854, I was testing about 1/4 mile from my trunked system and that was the control channel.
I like the sweeps. Looks like it would be a good performer for one of the new multiband mobiles. I like the antenna. I've got a few EM Wave VHF 1/4 wave antennas I'm using on both personal trucks, and they've been great antennas.
My only complaint with the antenna is the spring makes a bit of noise when the antenna bounces around from a tree branch strike. Not an issue, but I wish they had used the flex spring from the 1/4 wave antennas, but I suspect the larger spring helps with bandwidth.
I still prefer the Larsen a bit more. Not sure why, the specs are pretty close. I think it may be a visual thing. I do think EM Wave has a better base design.
Either way, both antennas look good. For the price, <$40, it's a good deal. I'll probably run it on my work truck for a while and see how it does. If it's like the other EM Wave antennas, I suspect it'll do just fine.
