• To anyone looking to acquire commercial radio programming software:

    Please do not make requests for copies of radio programming software which is sold (or was sold) by the manufacturer for any monetary value. All requests will be deleted and a forum infraction issued. Making a request such as this is attempting to engage in software piracy and this forum cannot be involved or associated with this activity. The same goes for any private transaction via Private Message. Even if you attempt to engage in this activity in PM's we will still enforce the forum rules. Your PM's are not private and the administration has the right to read them if there's a hint to criminal activity.

    If you are having trouble legally obtaining software please state so. We do not want any hurt feelings when your vague post is mistaken for a free request. It is YOUR responsibility to properly word your request.

    To obtain Motorola software see the Sticky in the Motorola forum.

    The various other vendors often permit their dealers to sell the software online (i.e., Kenwood). Please use Google or some other search engine to find a dealer that sells the software. Typically each series or individual radio requires its own software package. Often the Kenwood software is less than $100 so don't be a cheapskate; just purchase it.

    For M/A Com/Harris/GE, etc: there are two software packages that program all current and past radios. One package is for conventional programming and the other for trunked programming. The trunked package is in upwards of $2,500. The conventional package is more reasonable though is still several hundred dollars. The benefit is you do not need multiple versions for each radio (unlike Motorola).

    This is a large and very visible forum. We cannot jeopardize the ability to provide the RadioReference services by allowing this activity to occur. Please respect this.

Motorola portable antennas

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Aug 18, 2010
Messages
1,124
Location
Peoria, IL
Hello I wanted to know if you can use a bnc connecter to put on an antenna that is used for the XTS5000. Since the antenna is an sma antenna I am asking if you can convert it to a bnc for a scanner or not. I dont want to waste money on an Motorola antenna and a connecter. Could someone help explain it to me if you could.

Thank you
 

Forts

Mentor
Database Admin
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
6,688
Location
Ontario, Canada
I do this all the time. Bought a couple cheap BNC/SMA adaptors from eBay and use various Motorola antennas on the scanner if I'm listening to something band specific.
 
Joined
Aug 18, 2010
Messages
1,124
Location
Peoria, IL
Thank you so much for your help. Now I might go out and buy an Motorola antenna. I just dont know how much the Motorola portable antennas cost. Also does it matter if the SMA is a female or male on it. Would the PMAE4016 work with that adapter.
 
Last edited:

Forts

Mentor
Database Admin
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
6,688
Location
Ontario, Canada
Actually... before we go any further... what model scanner are you planning on using? The link to that adaptor from Tessco will NOT work. It has a BNC-F connector (same as what's already on most scanners). You would need a BNC-M connector unless you are connecting to a scanner with an SMA connector (obviously).
 

Forts

Mentor
Database Admin
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
6,688
Location
Ontario, Canada
Ok... then you definitely want an adaptor with a BNC-M connector on it. The scanners connector is a BNC-F.
 

Forts

Mentor
Database Admin
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
6,688
Location
Ontario, Canada
Sorry bud... I took a quick look but didn't see one. I don't really have time to spend searching around for it... I'll have to leave that part up to you. Or just use the eBay link I already posted.
 

mikewazowski

Forums Manager/Global DB Admin
Staff member
Forums Manager
Joined
Jun 26, 2001
Messages
13,457
Location
Oot and Aboot
Depends on what radio. You mentioned an xts5000 earlier which does use an sma antenna.
 

mancow

Member
Database Admin
Joined
Feb 19, 2003
Messages
6,879
Location
N.E. Kansas
The one in the link you posted is a crimp on connector for a cable. Are you wanting to put a motorola portable antenna right on the scanner?

You mentioned a portable antenna earlier so the one Forts posted is the correct adapter.
 

DisasterGuy

Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2013
Messages
1,249
Location
Maryland Shore
What exactly are you looking to achieve here? Why not just use the proper antenna for the application? You will find yourself spending a lot of money for an antenna and adapter considering what you could be a decent antenna with BNC for. There are many good options from Laird, Larsen and others. I run Motorola and Harris radios in public safety and purchase all antennas from Tessco rather than Motorola or Harris given the relative mark-up.
 
Joined
Aug 18, 2010
Messages
1,124
Location
Peoria, IL
What exactly are you looking to achieve here? Why not just use the proper antenna for the application? You will find yourself spending a lot of money for an antenna and adapter considering what you could be a decent antenna with BNC for. There are many good options from Laird, Larsen and others. I run Motorola and Harris radios in public safety and purchase all antennas from Tessco rather than Motorola or Harris given the relative mark-up.

Just to use a Motorola antenna on my radio. Do you have any experence with the UHF Terra Wave antenna. Is it a 1/4 wave or 1/2 wave? Tessco says 1/4 wave and 1/2 wave.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top