Remtronix 920S antenna?

[NS9710]

I see ZipScanners is advertising a pre-sales of the Remtronix 920S 9" antenna, is there any information on the specifications for this antenna?

 

[Enjoi19]

Scanner Master had some better info:

The Remtronix REM-920S SMA Dual Band VHF/UHF 400-470/800MHz made for the Uniden Bearcat SDS100 Scanner.

• Dual Band VHF/UHF 400-470/800MHz
• Flexible Whip Rubber Ducky
• Great improvement over factory standard antenna
• 9-inch length
• SMA Connector (Standard SMA and fits SDS100)
• Rubber o-ring to keep the SDS100 waterproof.

 

[NS9710]

I wonder how much of an improvement would they possibly have over the 820?

 

[jtwalker]

All depends on your band(s) of interest. If that interest is mainly VHF rail, it’s likely neither of these would be ideal.

 

[NS9710]

Planes, trains, maritime, police/fd/EMS and everything else up here is mostly UHF, some VHF, and a spot or two of 800MHz

All depends on your band(s) of interest. If that interest is mainly VHF rail, it’s likely neither of these would be ideal.

 

[jtwalker]

I'd wonder how this new one differs from 842 & 843, more so than the 800/810/820 antennas.

 

[firebell9137]

Whats the difference between the 820s and the 920s?

 

[jtwalker]

Whats the difference between the 820s and the 920s?

A hundred S’s…

 

[RMason]

Whats the difference between the 820s and the 920s?

Here is a comparison of the various Remtronix antennas:

REM-820S

• 700~900MHz UHF Band
• 7 inch length
• SMA Connector with O Ring (Standard SMA)

REM-842S

• VHF/UHF/800MHz Tri-Band
• 136-174/420-470/800-900 MHz
• 8 inch length
• SMA Connector

REM-920S

• Dual Band UHF 400-470/800MHz
• 9-inch length
• SMA Connector (Standard SMA and fits SDS100)
• Rubber o-ring to keep the SDS100 waterproof.

 

[NS9710]

Do we know about their sensitivity towards the bands?

Here is a comparison of the various Remtronix antennas:

REM-820S

• 700~900MHz UHF Band
• 7 inch length
• SMA Connector with O Ring (Standard SMA)

REM-842S

• VHF/UHF/800MHz Tri-Band
• 136-174/420-470/800-900 MHz
• 8 inch length
• SMA Connector

REM-920S

• Dual Band UHF 400-470/800MHz
• 9-inch length
• SMA Connector (Standard SMA and fits SDS100)
• Rubber o-ring to keep the SDS100 waterproof.

 

[Enjoi19]

Do we know about their sensitivity towards the bands?

Someone would probably need to actually get the antennas and properly run them through analyzers to really get proper answers on that one.

 

[doc62]

I got one to try. I did some rudimentary testing comparing the 820S, the 842S and the 920S today. The 920S is not as good as the 820S on 800, but close. The 920S seems to be close to the 842S in performance on UHF, but not as stiff and not deaf on 700. Mind you this is based on looking at the RSSI for the signals received from a stationary position.

 

[NS9710]

In your opinion based on the testing, do you think the 920S is worth the investment?

I got one to try. I did some rudimentary testing comparing the 820S, the 842S and the 920S today. The 920S is not as good as the 820S on 800, but close. The 920S seems to be close to the 842S in performance on UHF, but not as stiff and not deaf on 700. Mind you this is based on looking at the RSSI for the signals received from a stationary position.

 

[doc62]

In your opinion based on the testing, do you think the 920S is worth the investment?

For me it was. Depending on where I’m traveling each antenna has it’s uses. Right now I use it when I’m out of the house. In the house I use the Panda one I got because the signal is strong and it is low profile.

 

[wb4sqi]

According to Frank Belcher on the FB SDS-100 forum the 920S has improved 400mhz coverage. 700/800 remains the same as the 820S but with additional gain on 400. Depending on your location and the amount of 400mhz comms you may or may not notice improvement. Antenna gain improvements on lab instruments may not translate to better reception in your hand or your base station radio.