HELP WITH ANTENNA CHOICE...

[unitcharlie]

i am on a tight budget and need to replace some rat shack mobile mag scanner antennae... has anyone used the Comtelco All-Band Low-Profile Scanner Antenna as shown on the scanner master's page? we don't need low-vhf here so not being tuned there is cool... i am looking for a very low maintenance antenna--like stick it to the top of the car and hope it is still there in a year's time....

 

[LEH]

I haven't tried the Comtelco, but the antenna resembles the Larsen multiband scanner antenna I use on my cars and that I really like. The Larsen is a bit more expensive, but...

One thing to keep in mind with the Comtelco. The $24.95 price DOES NOT include the mount. For the magnetic mount you'll need to fork over another 29.95. But it's a 4" base and it won't blow away easily.

As the Comtelco uses an NMO mount, if you can use a trunk lip mount, you might want to consider it. No wires running across the roof of the car.

If you want to stay in the under $30 range, the RS antenna is still a good buy.

 

[TeRayCodA]

No low band?
I like a 18"whip with an nmo mag mount.
I have had the R/S antenna come flying off at 75mph.weak magnet?

 

[unitcharlie]

ironically, LEH, i was gonna use the rat shack bases for the antennae... seems some of our extreme users (me included) have lost most of the antenna from the base up or the first insulator up.... seems the set screws don't set well.... i complained to rat shack.... but i think i need a new supplier....

TeRayCodA: how does the 18" whip do for 800 meg trunked systems...


again, thanx for the input.... that's why i like this site so much.... quick answers that really help!

 

[TeRayCodA]

Don't know about 800 Mhz,as the closest trunked system is in Tulsa(40 miles NW of me),and nothing around here on 800Mhz is of interest to me,but it does work really well for Vhf hi,UHF hi/lo.

If 800Mhz is of interest,you may be better off with a better commercially
made/broader bandwidth antenna

 

[K5MAR]

Hey, TeRay, you mean you don't monitor OHP Troop C there in Muskogee?

Mark S.

 

[unitcharlie]

ok TeRayCodA i am a dumby.... i fully believe what an old first shirt told me long ago: if it is stupid and works it isn't stupid.... that is about the extent of my antenna knowledge.... how do i measure this 18" whip.... i will be using a vacant rat shack mag mount as the test bed for this thing.... i wanna see how well we can hear the 800 meg systems we need to monitor.... thanx in advance for your input... just ho[pe my wire cutting abilities will make it worthwhile....

 

[TeRayCodA]

No,actually I meant that I only have a BC-350A in my truck,so no 800Mhz in my mobile yet.Yes,I get Troop C on everything else at home.

If you are using the vacant R/S mag base as a mount,are you talking about the 1/4-20 threaded stub ,or the aluminum cone with the 3/16"hole?

 

[unitcharlie]

the cone.... it seems the antennas "explode" above the bottom insulator.... trree limbs and stuff...