Question on the Channel Master monitenna

[ogppc]

Greetings,

How do you tell which version of the Monitenna you have (old version or 800mhz version)?

I was able to get a Channel Master Monitenna from my father that has never been put up. It was stored in a Channel Master box however I can not locate any part numbers on the box. I have searched on here and have been able to confirm because of the photos it is a Monitenna.

Any assistance from someone more in the know than I would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mule1075]

5094 original 5094A 800mhz added.
Edit just saw you could not find any model numbers. I will see if I can dig out my original version and take a picture.

 

[ogppc]

No model numbers on any of the stuff or the antenna.

The one I have has 2 forks on each of the vertical elements and one on each of the angled elements for a total of 8 forks on the entire antenna. Im working on a mast solution for it. It also came with the weird coax that ends in a banana plug with a bnc adaptor on one end and a type F on the other. I believe that was what originally came with them.

 

[mule1075]

No model numbers on any of the stuff or the antenna.

The one I have has 2 forks on each of the vertical elements and one on each of the angled elements for a total of 8 forks on the entire antenna. Im working on a mast solution for it. It also came with the weird coax that ends in a banana plug with a bnc adaptor on one end and a type F on the other. I believe that was what originally came with them.

They did if it came with the bnc adapter I would say it is a 5094A. Mine came with rg-58 or 9 with the Motorola connector for the radio end and the well known f to the matching transformer.

 

[ogppc]

Thanks - the cable is marked Channel Master direct burial model 9549.

I appreciate your help. Good to know what I have. I'm using it for a 996 to put up on youtube with the proscan screen showing people what they are hearing.

 

[pro92b]

The green line points to what I think are 800 MHz elements.

 

[ogppc]

Perfect - I have the 800 version and not the original. Sweet!

 

[ogppc]

This is what I have. Please forgive the temp mounting.

 

[Firebuff66]

Best scanner antenna I ever had. They go for over $200 on ebay if they can be found

 

[ogppc]

I'm just happy it has the 800 elements. This antenna sat in our family garage in a box for at least 25 years.

 

[trp2525]

5094 original 5094A 800mhz added...

FYI in addition to the 5094 (original with no 800 MHz) and the 5094A (includes 800 MHz) they also sold a 5095A "Monitenna Kit" which included a 5094A antenna along with "tri-mast mount, 50' coax cable with preassembled fittings and all hardware." I have one of these 5095A kits brand-new in-the-box which may be finding a nice home mounted in my attic where it will be protected from the weather. See attached pictures.

 

[trp2525]

Best scanner antenna I ever had. They go for over $200 on ebay if they can be found

According to a Channel Master Dealer Price List that I have dated 02-01-1989, the suggested list price back then for the 5094A was $44.99 and the suggested list price for the 5095A was $55.99. If the dealer bought 6 or more at one time, the dealer cost was $25.68 for the 5094A and $32.35 for the 5095A.

If the dealer bought in 6+ quantity and sold at list price, they were making about $20 profit (give or take) on each antenna sold. That wasn't bad money back in 1989.

Too bad we can't go back in time to buy some of these great antennas!

 

[Ubbe]

Why did Channel Master stop producing these antennas? Even if they changed focus towards other customer segments they could license out these antennas to another company and take a percentage without doing any work at all.

The bigger the antenna the greater the area that capture RF signals and could potentially produce a higher RF signal.

Maybe the antenna isn't so great compared to todays standard. If one guy use a telescope antenna at the back of his scanner then any external antenna will be an improvement. If another guy have a discone or GP antenna on his roof and then switch antenna to one of these he usually also take the opportunity to switch to a better coax and perhaps add another 10ft section to his mast pole. It's rare that a plain switch from one antenna to another are done without something else also are improved. It's too much snake oil involved with antennas.

/Ubbe

 

[mule1075]

Maybe the antenna isn't so great compared to todays standard.

Does just fine if not better to most of the offerings today.

/Ubbe

 

[mule1075]

FYI in addition to the 5094 (original with no 800 MHz) and the 5094A (includes 800 MHz) they also sold a 5095A "Monitenna Kit" which included a 5094A antenna along with "tri-mast mount, 50' coax cable with preassembled fittings and all hardware." I have one of these 5095A kits brand-new in-the-box which may be finding a nice home mounted in my attic where it will be protected from the weather. See attached pictures.

View attachment 168280View attachment 168281

Sweet I would love to get my hands on another one. I picked up a BNIB Scantenna local to me at a yard sale for $20 so will use that for now.

 

[W9WSS]

A friend who worked for a company that sold scanners and accessories said that his company explored having a Scantenna SC-2 "clone" by an off-shore factory. Because a minimum of units had to be made, the cost of shipping to the vendor and then selling them at a fair price with shipping to the end-user was still cost-prohibitive. I would have bought two and would be happy to have a resource to make a new, heavier-duty model than the original ST-2s that are 30+ years old.