Anyone have any experience with any VHF/800MHz antennas (I'm sure there's some out there)? Looking to scan 150MHz and Starcom.. Have an NMO mount on my Flatbed tow truck.
Any input appreciated.
Any input appreciated.
NMO antenna
- Thread starter n9mxq
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jim202
Member
Comtelco has a triband antenna that looks like one if the 800 MHz coiled antenna in the middle. Have used them on a number of mobile command vehicles where they needed to add more radios and didn't have any way to add more antenna mounts to the roof. They are unity gain, but they do the job.
Thanks, I'll look into it.
Austin Spectra. I have one of those on my Ford Escape. Read my review of it in the equipment reviews elsewhere on the board. It worked quite well on STARCOM when I went through Illinois last year on my cross country trip. Worked equally well on the South Dakota VHF System. Pricey? Yes. Worth every penny I paid for it!
Wow, that is a pricey antenna.... But the reviews are good... Might have to save my birthday money for that one tho...hehe
Appreciate the feedback.
Appreciate the feedback.
KJ6HCB
Member
Just ordered an Austin Spectra this morning from HRO - the positive reviews here definitely seem worth it. Hope so!
Larsen NMO150/450/800. Search this forum for it and you'll find lots of references.
Any ham radio store should be able to get it.
Any ham radio store should be able to get it.
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I use the Comtelco tri-bander, works great with my Pro-197, except it tends to get overloaded on the Starcom simulcast sites (but then again, so does everything...). I was able to get Chicago weather radio up in Sheboygan loud and clear with it (without a band opening).
For mobile scanning I use the Larsen tri-band antenna,its a nice short antenna that works good.
I have the Larsen and swear by it. This is my second one. Can't be beat and reasonably priced too.
W0JJK
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I use a 3bd gain 800mhz antenna for 7 years and works great for VHF/UHF/800.
Laird Technologies QWB8063 806-866 3dB Blk open coil | TESSCO
Laird Technologies QWB8063 806-866 3dB Blk open coil | TESSCO
prcguy
Member
There is an online scanner test report that' shows the older open coil Larsen 800 NMO antenna works very well on VHF and better than any multiband scanner on 800. It sounds like a real good choice for the OPs bands
The test report is here:
www.interceptradio.com/wiki/index.php/Mobile_Antenna_Comparison
prcguy
The test report is here:
www.interceptradio.com/wiki/index.php/Mobile_Antenna_Comparison
prcguy
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Thanks for the link to the article PRCGUY.. Like the real world text and evaluation.. You've all given me great suggestions, and plenty to think about..
I used to use an NMO motorola 800 Pigtail for a scanner antenna Scanned VHF, UHF-T, 800 and it worked great on all the bands, even a few ISP lowbands.
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