Good outdoor antenna

[mmckenna]

The speaker stand would be good. Just make sure you have some way of keeping it from toppling over if you are on a balcony.

I'm not a fan of anything made by Tram. Cheap Chinese Antennas. And at the higher frequencies, the pattern of the antenna will be problematic. Also, zero gain.

The Larsen is a known good antenna. I've been running Larsen antennas for 30 years now, and a few that are original 30 year old antenna still in use. You can't go wrong with them. Also, that antenna will give you some gain on UHF and 700MHz, which will help with reception.

The Laird base mount will work fine. Only thing you'd need to be concerned about is waterproofing the connection on the underside if you plan on keeping this outside all the time. While N connectors are quite water resistant, you do want to put something on the outside to really make sure. Water in the coax will destroy things quickly.

 

[mass-man]

per McKenna and others pick up a new roll of scotch 88 electrical tape n a roll of Scotch 2228 mastic tape! Wrap the coax connector and antenna connector with a layer of 88. Then a wrap of 2228, pressed and formed around the connectors..then one more layer later of 88! I’ve done half a dozen antennas in the past month and the thismethod sure looks like it will work well!!!

 

[sparky5556]

I was going to get the cable with the shrinkwrap also.

 

[sparky5556]

This looks like everything? Antenna, mount, 25 ft of n-male cable and the n-female to bnc male adapter.

		Larsen NMO150/450/758	$49.95	$49.95
		Laird Technologies MBCN	$29.95	$29.95
		8219-25-NM	$28.95	$28.95
		Lands Precision 1935	$3.95	$3.95

 

[vagrant]

@sparky5556 - I would option for 25' of LMR-400 or LMR-240UF coaxial cable over RG-58/U considering those higher frequencies you wish to monitor. The LMR-400 is 1/4 of the signal loss and LMR-240UF is about 1/2 the signal loss compared to RG-58/U. They cost twice as much, but for about $30 more you'll sleep better.

 

[mass-man]

The Antenna Farm will custom build cables...you can order N on one end, BNC on the other and skip the adapter!

 

[mmckenna]

I'd agree on the LMR-240uf.

LMR-400 is way overkill for 25', plus it's stiff and trying to roll it up and store it if you don't leave this out all the time is going to get annoying. Also, less than 1dB of loss difference between LMR-240 and LMR-400 at 780MHz.

The setup you have will work. RG-58 isn't ideal, but it's not the end of the world. Very common to use RG-58 in a mobile installation, but part of that is due to ease of installation and it being 'good enough'. For a set up like yours, you can use a better cable since you are not trying to fish it through a car. It'll cost a bit more, but it's probably worth it unless budget is a concern.
The other benefit is that you can get it made with the correct connectors on each end, which is a good idea. while the N to BNC adapter will work, it's added loss, added stress in the connectors.

 

[sparky5556]

Times Microwave LMR-240UF?

 

[jr3792]

I am right in Stamford. I hear the fire calls

Yes you might hear the VHF simulcast but the 7/800 Fire ground channels you probaly wont unless your listeing to the trunking system like Cole said or their right next door. Just dont want you chasing a solution you cant really solve. I know I was picking them up off the troop A site in Waterbury not too long ago on a 325P2 but again that was on the trunking system

 

[vagrant]

Yes on the 240uf. I believe it is $45 at Antenna Farm for 25’.

Hmm...I wrote a second paragraph on my last post about the size and stiffness of 400, but I must have not submitted the edit. RG58 will work for HF, but 700/800 MHz can definitely use the help of improved coax. I use 25’ of 240UF with a portable discone setup from time to time. It is a good in between solution.

 

[chief21]

Rather than the coax adapter, which would be heavy and could damage the antenna connector on the radio, I would opt for a pigtail (one foot to several feet in length - your choice) that effectively converts your antenna coax to a smaller cable that connects directly to your handheld. See the link for an example... get the types of connectors that your situation requires.

Amazon.com: Ancable N Type Male to BNC Male Pigtail Coax Cable Ultra Low Loss 200 Type for Ham Radio, 3.3-Feet: Home Audio & Theater

Buy Ancable N Type Male to BNC Male Pigtail Coax Cable Ultra Low Loss 200 Type for Ham Radio, 3.3-Feet: Digital Coaxial Cables - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[sparky5556]

Here we go!

 

[mmckenna]

There ya' go. That should be a good setup.

 

[sparky5556]

anything is better than this....

 

[sparky5556]

Still waiting on this to arrive. Was supposed to be here monday