Looking for the right vehicle-mounted antenna

[KINGVAPOR69]

Hello everyone,​

I have a BCD436HP (I got it in November of last year);

Spoiler: New scanners to come

I'm soon (this year at some point) going to also be getting a 536, SDS200 and 100.

I'm going to be using at least 2 of these in my vehicle (likely the 436 and 536), I'm trying to find an antenna for my vehicle.

I have a pickup truck, so I'm ideally looking for one that I could bolt/screw into my backrack (I don't like the magnet ones, they blow off easily).

(I think) I found the antennas I want, but I'm not exactly sure they work with radio scanners - it seems they may be for LTE or something else.

Here is the link to the antennas I want, I did notice they are marked as LTE antennas. Will this still work?

I'm primarily scanning P25, but do have some VHF for Fire Dispatching in my area (and other things also).. Hoping those antennas will clear up most of the static. When a fire page goes out and it's at a site that's either far away, or something is blocking the airwaves, sometimes I can bend/twist the 436 sitting on the mic clip mounted in my truck, or even put my hand on the antenna and it improves it, but sometimes it doesn't. I'm hoping that those antennas will clear it up indefinitely where there will be next to no static at all.

(Slightly unrelated) My goal with getting the other scanners, mount the 536 on my dash in the truck, and the SDS200 in my room, I'll have them both constantly scan the same preset favourites lists, with both scanners being able to be accessed (and controlled) remotely via Proscan, so that if an incident on the radio comes up I can hold it on specific channels, etc, then with the 436 I have now, I will really only have to use it when either I'm not at home or in my truck, and can also use 436 for trunking discovery as well (as I'll have either or both mobiles scanning).

Thanks everyone, have a great day
Happy scanning!

 

[dave3825]

(I think) I found the antennas I want, but I'm not exactly sure they work with radio scanners - it seems they may be for LTE or something else.

Here is the link to the antennas I want, I did notice they are marked as LTE antennas. Will this still work?

That antenna resonates 698-960 MHz, 1710-2170 MHz, 2300-2700 MHz

I'm primarily scanning P25, but do have some VHF for Fire Dispatching in my area (and other things also)..

P25 what and vhf what? What are the bands?

P25 7/800 MHz could work with that antenna but it would not work that great down in vhf.


edit
If it ends up being 2 bands, get a dual band NMO mount antenna. If three bands, get a tri-band NMO antenna.

 

[mmckenna]

Yeah, LTE is just the emission type. What matters is the frequency. As Dave said above, they'll work well on 700/800MHz well enough depending on your location. I'm guessing when you refer to P25, you may mean 700 and/or 800MHz.

They'll pick up ~something~ on VHF or UHF, but probably not stellar performance.

The challenge you have is the lack of ground plane under the antenna. While the headache rack may be DC grounded, that's different than an RF ground plane. Finding a decent antenna that's going to work well without a good ground plane on VHF, as well as 700/800MHz can be a challenge. There are some other antenna types that claim to work on compromised ground planes, but they are not flexible and I'd not want one on top of a truck like that.
For home, you'd want something with a ground plane.

Permanent mount NMO center of the truck roof is going to give you ideal performance. If you are open to a permanent mount, it'll work better.

Even without the ground plane, I'd probably go with one of the name brand multiband antennas, like the Larsen NMO-150/450/756, or the EMWave multiband:

Larsen NMO150/450/758SF Tri-band Mobile Antenna covers 150-174, 430-520 & 750-870, 100 Watts, Length 16.5 in, NMO Mount, Spring Base

Larsen NMO150/450/758SF Tri-band Mobile Antenna covers 150-174, 430-520 & 750-870, 100 Watts, Length 16.5 in, NMO Mount, Spring Base

theantennafarm.com

EM Wave EM-M43002 Tri-Band 150-162/450-490/763-870 MHz Mobile Antenna - 17.7 in - NMO - Spring Base

EM Wave EM-M43002 Tri-Band 150-162/450-490/763-870 MHz Mobile Antenna - 17.7 in - NMO - Spring Base

theantennafarm.com

For home use, one of the above antennas with this mobile to base adapter might be a good option:

PCTEL Maxrad MBSUHF Converts Mobile UHF Antennas into a Base Station Antenna

PCTEL Maxrad MBSUHF Converts Mobile UHF Antennas into a Base Station Antenna

theantennafarm.com

 

[KINGVAPOR69]

Hey guys,


Firstly, thank you very much for the help - it means a lot!

The range of VHF I'm needing is about 150-155, and then some in the 400-470 range.

I'm thinking @mmckenna's third antenna suggestion is what I'm looking for.

I'm really hoping/preferring I can mount it on my backrack (I do also have 2xCB whips on each end, and not having any issues with those) *not saying because I don't see issues with those, that I won't with this new antenna* But hoping it will be a good application to my use.

 

[KINGVAPOR69]

Update:

Copied a small clip of the audio (link to YouTube clip). Sometimes tilting the scanner helps, sometimes it makes it worse.

Also, I found an antenna I actually have - unfortunately, the connector was cut; wondering if I could splice one back on, also a longer cable as well so that I can mount it outside the cab (on the backrack like I want) or, near the front of the hood/opposite side of my FM/AM radio antenna.

WARNING: Very loud

 

[dave3825]

I took a quick look and did not see measurements indicating how much area it takes up. How far apart are your 2 cb whips?

Personally if it were me, and because I am cheap, I would buy one antenna and use something like an eda2400 to take one antenna and be able to feed up to 4 radios in the truck. Requires 15vdc so it can run of car battery.

I found an antenna I actually have - unfortunately, the connector was cut; wondering if I could splice one back on, also a longer cable as well

That's an NMO mount with a possible 800mhz antenna. That mount can usually be rewired if you have basic soldering skills and will work with the first 2 antennas @mmckenna linked above. Pretty sure it will work on the 3rd one as well.