Motorola Antenna Question

[Newbie1234]

Hi there,

I've just purchased a set of radios. PR400 and CT250 for myself and they all came with stubby antennas that needs replacing. The seller also included an UHF 6 inch whip antenna in the package. Well here's the thing. The radios I bought are all VHF band radios. Right now, I want to swap out the stubby antennas for the regular 6 inch Heliflex antenna (NAD6502AR). I think the CT250 and the PR400 shares the same accessories and antennas, please correct me if I am wrong.

The thing is I do not know why the seller included a 6 inch UHF whip antenna and I am going to assume that I shouldn't use that on my radio because it might mess up the radio when I transmit. I have 2 Motorola VHF SP10's that are retired and won't be used again. I was wondering if I could use those antennas? I believe the part number for the SP10 antennas are probably the HAD9338BR ones, I'm not exactly sure though.

What I am wondering is that if it is possible for me to use the 2 antennas from the SP10's or I am going to have to purchase 2 new antennas?
If I am going to buy new antennas, should I buy an aftermarket one? Any reliable sellers on ebay that you guys recommend?

Thanks

 

[mmckenna]

Don't buy the aftermarket antennas unless it is from a known/confirmed manufacturer that is located in the USA.
There are a lot of sellers on e-Bay selling "after market" Motorola antennas that are very low quality. I've read _many_ instances where people have purchased these and had issues. Putting them on an analyzer shows that they are not tuned/resonate any where near their claimed frequency.

The antenna is the most important part of your radio system. Spend the extra bucks and get known good quality antennas.

I've had really good luck purchasing Motorola parts from these guys:
ShopWiscomm

As to why the seller included the UHF antenna? Probably didn't know any better. Don't use it on your radio. It won't instantly fry the final RF transistors, portable radios are tolerant of poorly matched antennas. But it probably won't work very well.

 

[FFPM571]

It may not be a UHF. the VHF stubby looks almost identical to a UHF you can tell who is who by the color of the base of the antenna on Motorola antennas

 

[jonvenusti]

it usually will say uhf or vhf on it

 

[FFPM571]

Not all Motorola radios say the band. And if its a cheap knock off they for sure dont

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Color code may be present on the underside.