Recommended VHF (SMA) Antenna?

[depth10]

I'm a beginner in this space so please have patience. I've done quite a bit of research on the forums and on frequencies in general, but nothing replaces personal experience and subjective advice.

So, I currently have the REM-800S (it's discontinued but I believe it's a +/-6dBi 700-900Mhz antenna). Now, I want to reach some 151Mhz frequencies (NXDN). I have the 436 and have purchased the NXDN upgrade. Does anyone recommend an antenna for home use?

Thank you!

 

[trentbob]

So here's the antenna you want. It's made by Remtronix, the same company that makes the 7 - 800MHz that also works on UHF but is really bad on VHF. This antenna is a tri-band and works the best on VHF High but you have the advantage of UHF and 7 - 800. The sma connection works fine but you will have a very small Gap at the base of the antenna and you can purchase little rubber O-rings at Home Depot that will fill in that space.

 

[depth10]

Thank you so much!

 

[depth10]

Received the 842S and it does not screw on to my BCD436HP. When I say it doesn't fit, I mean I can't even get it to stay on even by pressing it (vs threading it). New antenna on left, current antenna on right (that fits).

 

[drayd48]

Received the 842S and it does not screw on to my BCD436HP. When I say it doesn't fit, I mean I can't even get it to stay on even by pressing it (vs threading it). New antenna on left, current antenna on right (that fits).
View attachment 109858

I can tell you just by looking at the 'new' antenna on the left (the fat one) is a BNC connector while your 'old' antenna on the right (the skinny one) is an SMA connector. Your scanner is an SMA connector. You either need to buy an SMA to BNC adapted or exchange your new antenna out with one that has an SMA hookup on it.

 

[trentbob]

Yep, just give scannermaster a call. You got the wrong number. The antenna I recommended had an s on the end. That's an SMA. The antenna is also available in BNC and and that's what you got. Call them, send it back, and they will send you the right antenna.

 

[sallen07]

Received the 842S and it does not screw on to my BCD436HP.

Yup, not the SMA version, BUT ... your BCD436HP should have come with an SMA-to-BNC adapter that would let you use that one if you don't want to return it.

 

[trentbob]

This is true, use the BNC adapter, don't want to get into a pis*ing match about any signal loss with an adapter. Age-old debate, I don't care to get into. If you have a lot of radios that have BNC connectors then keep the antenna you have for them also. Just use the adapter for the 436. Sorry for the mix-up but there is a small serial number for the item that you're ordering and that was in what I sent you.

 

[depth10]

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to answer a newb question! This forum has been so helpful.

Would the below adapter work? My only concern is that the SMA side has different 'sizes' and that this SMA Female isn't the right diameter?

SMA Male to BNC Female Adapter

Pasternack SMA Male to BNC Female Adapter ships same day. SMA Male to BNC Female Adapter from Pasternack is part of over 50,000 RF/microwave items with 99% availability. SMA Male to BNC Female Adapter ships on the same day worldwide.

www.pasternack.com

 

[trentbob]

Personally I would just return the antenna as you are not satisfied and it was not what you wanted and make sure person you talk to on the phone understands that you want exactly what I posted the picture of. Use that stock number in the small print and make sure they understand you want the SMA antenna. You return the one you have and get the proper one you should have gotten in the first place, I would not buy this adapter that you are looking at, never saw it before, way too expensive. You should have had an adapter come with your radio and that would work.

Order exactly what I gave you a picture of with the proper model number and the stock number. As far as return shipping talk to Scanner Master and see what they say. Get What You Want and what you need. Forget that adapter.

 

[depth10]

Will do, thank you.

 

[fourwd1]

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to answer a newb question! This forum has been so helpful.

Would the below adapter work? My only concern is that the SMA side has different 'sizes' and that this SMA Female isn't the right diameter?

SMA Male to BNC Female Adapter

Pasternack SMA Male to BNC Female Adapter ships same day. SMA Male to BNC Female Adapter from Pasternack is part of over 50,000 RF/microwave items with 99% availability. SMA Male to BNC Female Adapter ships on the same day worldwide.

www.pasternack.com

Yes, that adapter would work but Pasternack's prices are outrageous.
Should be like $8.95

Returning antenna is the best bet.