gbeck41
Member
Looking for a good mag mount antenna for car. Any thoughts on this antenna or something better? Want to cover 25-1300Mhz. Thanks, Greg.
Radio Shack 20-032
- Thread starter gbeck41
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Hi Greg,
This is a question you could ask any number of people and they will give you any number of answers. Some folks will say Larsen, Antenna Specialists, Hustler, the list goes on and on. My personal preference for an "all band" mobile scanner antenna is the Maxrad MaxScan 1000. It is an NMO mount so you can use either a magnetic mount or drill holes and use it.
Alot of the folks are going to share with you a few things.
1. A mag mount is not the way to go. Personally I use one and it serves my purposes O.K.
2. You will get better performance for the portion of the RF spectrum you want to listen to by using an antenna that is cut or manufactured for that range. i.e. VHF-lo or VHF-hi, UHF or 800mhz. There again I use an "all band" antenna while mobile and it serves my purposes.
3. I think most folks here agree that the Radio Shack mag mount antenna in it's OEM state is not one of the better performers. There are some mods that can be done and are documented (I think you can find the mods here too if you do a search on them).
There is alot of talented hobbyists and communications professionals on this site so I take it like a cafeteria; I take what I can use and leave the rest behind.
I see this is your 10th post here so "welcome" to the boards.
Hope this helps.
73
de
chris
kq4z
This is a question you could ask any number of people and they will give you any number of answers. Some folks will say Larsen, Antenna Specialists, Hustler, the list goes on and on. My personal preference for an "all band" mobile scanner antenna is the Maxrad MaxScan 1000. It is an NMO mount so you can use either a magnetic mount or drill holes and use it.
Alot of the folks are going to share with you a few things.
1. A mag mount is not the way to go. Personally I use one and it serves my purposes O.K.
2. You will get better performance for the portion of the RF spectrum you want to listen to by using an antenna that is cut or manufactured for that range. i.e. VHF-lo or VHF-hi, UHF or 800mhz. There again I use an "all band" antenna while mobile and it serves my purposes.
3. I think most folks here agree that the Radio Shack mag mount antenna in it's OEM state is not one of the better performers. There are some mods that can be done and are documented (I think you can find the mods here too if you do a search on them).
There is alot of talented hobbyists and communications professionals on this site so I take it like a cafeteria; I take what I can use and leave the rest behind.
I see this is your 10th post here so "welcome" to the boards.
Hope this helps.
73
de
chris
kq4z
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
The link for modifying the RS mag mount antenna is now in our Antennas wiki. In addition, there's a nice overview of many popular mobile antennas on the Northwest Radio site - that can be found on the Strong Signals antennas page, which is also linked on our Antennas wiki.
While I tend to agree that an antenna designed for the range you want to listen is the best way to go, I probably wouldn't go with a mag mount - but for different reasons. Proper grounding of such antennas is usually coupled magnetically on such antennas, and as it ages, the magnet weakens. Not only could it give way under highway speeds, the antenna actually becomes less efficient.
Do it right the first time - a trunk lip mount (or even better, a roof mount which gets the antenna as high as possible) will serve you much better. I've been using a heavy duty Diamond trunk lip mount with an Austin antenna for the last several years that's gone thru heavy snow and ice storms with nary a bit of trouble. 73s Mike
While I tend to agree that an antenna designed for the range you want to listen is the best way to go, I probably wouldn't go with a mag mount - but for different reasons. Proper grounding of such antennas is usually coupled magnetically on such antennas, and as it ages, the magnet weakens. Not only could it give way under highway speeds, the antenna actually becomes less efficient.
Do it right the first time - a trunk lip mount (or even better, a roof mount which gets the antenna as high as possible) will serve you much better. I've been using a heavy duty Diamond trunk lip mount with an Austin antenna for the last several years that's gone thru heavy snow and ice storms with nary a bit of trouble. 73s Mike
KE5BCP
Analog Man
gbeck41
Member
Thank You!!
To all the great members on here. This is a great site. Filled with alot of knowledge. Chris, I like the Maxrad Maxscan1000, may buy it. Thanks for all your help and will post more, need all the help I can get, LOL. Greg!
To all the great members on here. This is a great site. Filled with alot of knowledge. Chris, I like the Maxrad Maxscan1000, may buy it. Thanks for all your help and will post more, need all the help I can get, LOL. Greg!
Al42
Member
Anything that conducts electricity "covers" 25-1300 MHz, although there's no single antenna that does. (Parallel-element antennas cover portions of the range.) If you want hype there are a lot of antennas that will suit your needs, but if you want an actual antenna you'll have to compromise.gbeck41 said:
Holy Thread Revival 
I just bought one of these yesterday for my 2M HT and oh my it worked like a charm. I spoke with a buddy yesterday and another one this morning and they both said I was full quieting. Big improvement from where I was before. I would suggest this antenna for any hams running 2M or 70CM, can't say anything about other bands though. I'll try more eventually and report back.
I just bought one of these yesterday for my 2M HT and oh my it worked like a charm. I spoke with a buddy yesterday and another one this morning and they both said I was full quieting. Big improvement from where I was before. I would suggest this antenna for any hams running 2M or 70CM, can't say anything about other bands though. I'll try more eventually and report back.
Chappy197606
Member
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
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- 16
Also looking for a good mobile antenna for my car (got a Icom IC-R10 and old Radio Shack PRO-60 handheld scanners) and found this one:
Tram 1199 [1199] - $19.95 : The Antenna Farm :: , Your Two Way Radio Source!
Anyone using this ?
Thanks
Tram 1199 [1199] - $19.95 : The Antenna Farm :: , Your Two Way Radio Source!
Anyone using this ?
Thanks
Sometimes members need to pay attention, this thread is almost 6 years old
Chappy197606
Member
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2010
- Messages
- 16
Sometimes members need to pay attention, this thread is almost 6 years old
I know that. Just lookinf for an answer to my question. Thanks for you help anyway!
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