Mobile Scanner Antenna

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ka3jjz

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A bit pricey, but for me here in central Maryland it works just fine. 2 things to know about this antenna; it must have a good ground to work properly, and that it does not cover VHF air very well (altho it does work...). It is very good on the public service bands, though - you can cut the top whip to improve the VHF lo band performance. I've been able to hear my home 800 mhz trunk from just under 40 miles away on my portable - on 800, that's very good indeed. It was choppy, and the terrain was hilly with lots of buildings, but I could still copy it.

I would not recommend it with a mag mount; a roof or trunk mount is highly recommended with this antenna. 73s Mike
 

bob1857

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mount

It says it comes with a NMO mount. I would like to drill hole in roof of pick up and install it there.
 

AG4WI

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I have been using that antenna now for about 10 years. It is the best moble antenna i have ever had. Works excellent!!
But!!! Read the AD. Again It says it comes with NMO connector. You will have to Buy the Mount.
 
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Skypilot007

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I had poor results with this antenna. I had it trunk lip mounted in the center of the trunk. It just didn't perform well for me at all on any band. Mainly on UHF 500MHz range and 860MHz. I even bought the extension pole Austin sells for using it as a base. I put it up on the roof about 35-40ft up, well grounded to my system and I got similar results. I put several other NMO mount antenna on the mount just as a sanity check and they all work fine. I don't know maybe I got a defective one. I could never get it to receive well where I need it to so it's currently gathering dust in my attic.
 

sflmonitor

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I just bought this antenna about a month ago. I have it mounted on my Ford Explorer with a Comet RS720 NMO mount on the rear hatch. I was surprised at how well it worked across the bands. It works best on UHF but overall it is a good performer. I can't comment on low bands however, since we don't have any local low band systems in my area. My only complaint is that it is not stealthy at all.
 

3mary2

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I can not do the roof,trunk mounts, is it possible to use this antenna on a L-bracket on my 06 Ford. And if so how to I connect the cable to the antenna?
 

sflmonitor

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An L bracket should work with this antenna. I have used L brackets with other antennas that were about the same size and weight. You will need an NMO base to connect the antenna to the cable.

What kind of Ford do you have and where are you planning on mounting it?
 

3mary2

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06 Ford F-150 4x4 with the bed-liner and I was hoping for some advice on using a L-Bracket, Like where to obtain the bracket, how to mount etc. Not too sharp with these kind of matters.
 

AG4WI

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I use a trunk mount fastened to the hood appt.12inches from my am/fm radio antenna.
I run the coax over to the door and inside. The NMO trunk mount comes with Coax attached. I have used it there on my Pickup the last 5 years without any problems.
 
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bob1857

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Thanks for the input. I think I just found my new antenna. I'll post when I get it and install it to let you know how it works for me. Thanks ALL !
 

ervin1

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i live in a apartment complex wonderin if this would work as a good base antenna mounted on my balcony????????? mounted with a L bracket
 

AG4WI

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I used to take mine off the P/U truck and use a Mag. mount on the Ref. and it worked as good as any thing else i tried.
 

HOLEBILLY

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i had a tri band maxrad with a L bracket and got good reception untill i drilled a hole in the center of my roof and then I got GREAT reception. For me knowing the difference now thats the only way to go.
 

AG4WI

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I think it would be O.K on A Big Rig as long as you use Locktite on the set screws. I am a retired truck driver and have used Antenna made like this one and i have lost the top stinger on quite a few of them. I liked a stainless steel whip cut for 42mhz the best but that was when a lot of the states still used 42mhz for the H.P. Some states still use 42mhz
CA., TN., and i am sure some other still do.
 

HOLEBILLY

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I use a maxrad tri ban with a mno mount ,mounted to the center of my roof. Best mobil antenna ever had. Great reception on all bands.
 

Signal3and2

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AG4WI said:
I think it would be O.K on A Big Rig as long as you use Locktite on the set screws. I am a retired truck driver and have used Antenna made like this one and i have lost the top stinger on quite a few of them. I liked a stainless steel whip cut for 42mhz the best but that was when a lot of the states still used 42mhz for the H.P. Some states still use 42mhz
CA., TN., and i am sure some other still do.

Nebraska state patrol still uses 37mhz lowband. And sadly enough, that's the most exciting thing to do while driving on I-80 across that state. I'll admit Iowa isn't much better, though.

The antenna in question looks like something I'd like to try out on my explorer. Probably have to go with another L bracket on my passenger fender though, the roof is pretty well filled with antennas, and it would stick up pretty far for my tastes.
 

sony

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Antenna Specialists Mon. 51 I don't know if they still make this antenna.
 

wyotrucker1

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Re: What about Big Rig?

AG4WI said:
I think it would be O.K on A Big Rig as long as you use Locktite on the set screws. I am a retired truck driver and have used Antenna made like this one and i have lost the top stinger on quite a few of them. I liked a stainless steel whip cut for 42mhz the best but that was when a lot of the states still used 42mhz for the H.P. Some states still use 42mhz
CA., TN., and i am sure some other still do.
Now, I'm thinking more on the lines of mounting it on the back of the sleeper in the center. Do you think that would be more effective than on the mirror? Sorry for all the stupid questions, but, digital scanning is new to me and I understand its a little more touchy than regular analog.
Thanks in advance,
Ted
 
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