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Hand-held Antenna Questions

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arizonabones

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Mar 10, 2013
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Hello all. I am new to the forum and to Commercial radios as well. I'm trying to find out what type of antenna will give me the best range capabilities with my Motorola HT1000's. The units are UHF D model wide/narrow band operating on 460-470Mhz (simplex). They came equipped with the 7" whip that are in bad shape (cracked insulation). I found plenty new ones in that frequency range, but not sure if the stubby helical type that are tuned closer to my Freq. would give better performance over the whip that is tuned to a broader range. These radios are used exclusively outdoors in thick woods and brush. Any help on which type of antenna would be better for me will be appreciated. Thanx, Matt
 

SCPD

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Feb 24, 2001
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Go Long

Hello all. I am new to the forum and to Commercial radios as well. I'm trying to find out what type of antenna will give me the best range capabilities with my Motorola HT1000's. The units are UHF D model wide/narrow band operating on 460-470Mhz (simplex). They came equipped with the 7" whip that are in bad shape (cracked insulation). I found plenty new ones in that frequency range, but not sure if the stubby helical type that are tuned closer to my Freq. would give better performance over the whip that is tuned to a broader range. These radios are used exclusively outdoors in thick woods and brush. Any help on which type of antenna would be better for me will be appreciated. Thanx, Matt

The quarter wave 7" whip, even though it is more wideband, is going to give you better range than the tuned stubby antenna.
 

mmckenna

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Indeed. Never use the stubby antennas if you want any sort of range. Those dang things should be outlawed! Some people have bought them for the 800MHz radios at work, then they come to me and complain about my system having crappy coverage.

Also, be real careful about buying non-motorola ones off of E-Bay. People have done tests on those and they are usually no where near resonate on the advertised frequencies. Spend the extra $ and get one that you know is from Motorola or another reputable manufacturer. Any money you invest in your antenna will pay off in better performance.
 
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xts3000r

Guest
Indeed. Never use the stubby antennas if you want any sort of range. Those dang things should be outlawed! thats funny. i like stubby antennas for around the home ues in vhf p25. but they s**k for range in uhf and vhf
 

mmckenna

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I've threaded to stick them in awkward places when people bring their radios in and start complaining about "my" system and poor coverage. Bunch of cry baby pansies complain about the 6" whip poking them in the arm pit all day long.
 

arizonabones

Newbie
Joined
Mar 10, 2013
Messages
3
Location
gettysburg,PA
Thanks a lot folks! That helps a lot. I'll be going with the whip for sure. The ones im looking at look like the real deal....run about $15 each. Then I've seen others for $2.99 each lol. I'll spend the extra cash for the performance. Thanx again! Matt
 
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