Mobile Scanner Antenna

[DrDenny1]

I am looking for recomendations for a good mobile scanner antenner, mostly for UHF/VHF. Magnetic preferably, so I can swap between my truck and my work vehicle.

Thanks

on edit; I have a Uniden BCD 396T

 

[ronhl]

mobile antenna

I am looking for recomendations for a good mobile scanner antenner, mostly for UHF/VHF. Magnetic preferably, so I can swap between my truck and my work vehicle.

Thanks

on edit; I have a Uniden BCD 396T

Hi
I would recommend the NMO tri-band 150/450/800 mhz sold at HRO, they also sell NMO mag mounts.
Its black and short (about 17") more importantly a great performer on VHF/UHF Hi/800MHZ too with a mag mount,and used it or years...
btw: location,the center of the roof is the best place for best reception for any install.
Hope this helps....

 

[DrDenny1]

That is good to hear. That is exactly what I was looking at HRO in Burbank yesterday. With the antenna, mag mount and proper adaptor to fit the radio it was right around 70 bux.

Thanks!

 

[jambo]

Hi
I would recommend the NMO tri-band 150/450/800 mhz sold at HRO, they also sell NMO mag mounts.
Its black and short (about 17") more importantly a great performer on VHF/UHF Hi/800MHZ too with a mag mount,and used it or years...
btw: location,the center of the roof is the best place for best reception for any install.
Hope this helps....

Hi Ronhl,
Could you please provide a link to this particular antenna. I looked at the HRO web page and could not find it what so ever. Or provide the manufacturer name. Thanks in advance.

 

[kirka127]

http://www.hamradio.com/web/newcat/hrocat9.pdf
Scroll down to page 104. Hope this helps

 

[KT4HX]

Will also toss in my recommendation for the Larsen 150/450/800. I have had mine for a few years now (from HRO in Va), and while no one antenna can cover such a wide range at top efficiency, I think it does a very commendable job. It's the only thing I use with the 996T in my truck.

 

[NYRHKY94]

I'll jump on the Larsen tri-band wagon as well. Small footprint, multiple mounting options (I use trunk lip) and does a great job on all bands. Got mine at the local HRO.

 

[bee]

Anyone use the "pmm3b", if so what are your thoughts? I have three of these, and am very satisfied with them!

 

[N1GJB]

Anyone use the "pmm3b", if so what are your thoughts? I have three of these, and am very satisfied with them!

My friend had one on the back deck of his crown vic. He had it attached to a metal plate. Decent performance considering it was inside the vehicle. He wanted to minimize the antennas on the trunk, and only had one UHF 1/4 wave on a trunk lip mount.

He just called me yesterday because he forgot the model number and wanted to order a new one. I guess the coax got pinched pretty good when he installed it in his new vic.

I personally use the Madrad Maxscann 1000 (mobile on my 785D) and have for several years. Its also the antenna he replaced with the pmm3b. Currently, it is fender (L bracket) mounted on my Tahoe along with a motorola uhf 1/4 wave so I can still use the parking garages in Boston (6'8" clearance + rigid antennas = bad). I guess I dont have much to compare it to, except the Larsen 5/8 wave vhf I was using previously paired with a bearcat 760 with mixed results (mostly vhf fire departments, some uhf pds).

 

[SAR923]

The Valor 3PMM has a great little antenna for me. The only problem is the very shot 9 foor length of RG-174 cable that it comes with. I added a 6 foot RG-58 jumper with no noticeable degradation in performance. It works very well for 100 MHz on up and the small size realy nice both for stealth and in parking garages.

 

[APX8000]

I second the Valor, especially for portability. The little "hershey kiss" magnet is strong too. I've gone well over 100 mph trying to catch up to violators and it never came off. I also use one in my POV and it's barely noticable. Receives well on VHF, UHF and 800...best on VHF I'd say.

A good friend of mine has the Larson 150/450/800 NMO and he drilled a hole in the roof. We both have the same pov and scanner and his picks up better than mine. But again, he drilled the hole in the center of the roof which will always work better than a little mag mount. If my car wasen't a lease, I'd do the same and go with the Larsen, but if you want portability, stick with the Valor.

I've also noticed the bigger mag mounts stratch the paint if moving from car to car.

 

[jambo]

http://www.hamradio.com/web/newcat/hrocat9.pdf
Scroll down to page 104. Hope this helps

Thanks a bunch.

 

[Grog]

I second the Valor, especially for portability. The little "hershey kiss" magnet is strong too. I've gone well over 100 mph trying to catch up to violators and it never came off.

I had a friend test the MFJ 2/440 with the little magnet on his "company car" and he reported it was fine at 118mph :lol:

 

[donc13]

Anyone use the "pmm3b", if so what are your thoughts? I have three of these, and am very satisfied with them!

I have one, love it. I've got a Jeep and have it stuck on the interior...same as the rollbar. It's stuck between the front and rear mount of the rollbar. Works very well with my BCD396T. They are very hard to find anymore. I have been told, but do know know..that the Workman KS3 is identical. Those are easy to find.


From what I've heard..the Larsen is also an excellent antenna....but costs a lot more than the PMM3b or KS3.

 

[hntsgt]

If anyone knows where I can get one let me know. Universal says they cannot get them from the manufacturer anymore. I cannot find anyone else who has them. Thanks.

 

[jambo]

If anyone knows where I can get one let me know. Universal says they cannot get them from the manufacturer anymore. I cannot find anyone else who has them. Thanks.

You might want to try EBAY if all else fails.

 

[unitcharlie]

I used to swear by the PMM3B.... I have two of them: one intact and one with the aerial in an old antenna mount (because the magnet quit working).... the original manufacturer sold to another company and the basic design changed somewhat (in my opinion, less efficient). I have since changed to a Larson 150/450/800 so I can still monitor the way I did before... hopefully a good company will buy the design and begin making these little jewels again.....

 

[donc13]

If anyone knows where I can get one let me know. Universal says they cannot get them from the manufacturer anymore. I cannot find anyone else who has them. Thanks.

The Workman KS3 is supposed to be identical....R & L Electronics has them:

http://www.randl.com/cgi-local/cart/cart.cgi?cart=Search&model=ks3&sb=1&so=ascend

The also show the PMM3b but show it as "on order"

http://www.randl.com/cgi-local/cart/cart.cgi?cart=Search&model=pmm3b&sb=1&so=ascend

 

[DesertRatt]

Antenex/Laird

I am looking for recomendations for a good mobile scanner antenner, mostly for UHF/VHF. Magnetic preferably, so I can swap between my truck and my work vehicle.

Thanks

on edit; I have a Uniden BCD 396T

I'm using an Antenex/Laird 150/450/800 (ABSCANC) with an Antenex /Laird magnetic Mount (GBRDPI) and a SO239 to BNC male adapter. I am very pleased with the performance with the antenna mounted on the trunk.

I bought the antenna and mag mount from http://www.antenex.com and the adapter from http://www.universal-radio.com

Antenex makes some very high quality products. IMHO their products are as good or better than Radial/Larsen and the like. You can find similar products for less, but you won't find better quality than Antenex/Laird. A feature I really like about the Antenex mag mount is its rubber boot that helps protect the vehicle's finish. The mag mount has 90lb of pull strength. The rubber boot reduces the hold a little bit, but there is more than enough left over to hold the 150/450/800 in place.

 

[prcguy]

If you are only interested in VHF/UHF, the Larsen NMO 150/450 will outperform most anything. Its 37" tall compared to the Larsen NMO150/450/850 tri-band at 16.5" tall. The NMO 150/450 is the commercial version of the NMO 2/70 amateur version that I use every day. If you want to stick with a small antenna, the Maxrad BMXSCAN1000 works about the same as the Larsen tri-band within the public service bands and a little better out of band like VHF and UHF air.
prcguy