RS 20-012 Mobile antenna

[KW4SL]

Is it possible to use the RS mobile antenna as a base antenna? Does it need to be on something metal to act as a ground plain?

Thanks

 

[lil_jimmy_norton]

Is it possible to use the RS mobile antenna as a base antenna? Does it need to be on something metal to act as a ground plain?

Thanks

It most certainly can be used at a base antenna, and is a great option if putting up an outdoor antenna is out of the question.

It is a good idea to stick it to something metal so it will have a ground plane. A cookie sheet or filing cabinet work well.

EDIT: 20-012 isn't a valid RS SKU, do you mean the 20-032 mobile antenna?

 

[KW4SL]

RS sku

Thanks for the info. I'll try some different mountings.
I was using this page as my reference for the sku number: www.strongsignals.net/access/image/antennas/bearwires.gif It looked correct. Sorry.

 

[NYRHKY94]

I use that exact model as a base antenna for the BC370CRS I have up in the bedroom. It sits on a metal surface on the window sill. Works very well for me.

 

[loumaag]

The 20-012 was the original antenna and the coax terminated in a banana plug. I own one and it is worse than no antenna at all (seriously) on VHF and 800 MHz. That is probably why it had to be modified to work, I never bothered with the mod. The 20-032 is supposed to be the same antenna with the coax terminating in a BNC connector, but it really can't be exactly the same since most people claim it works to some extent.

 

[MOTORHEAD3902]

I have had examples of both the BNC terminated antenna and the M_torola-terminated antenna. They have all been satisfactory performers. Sorry to hear some folks have had crappy luck with them...

 

[ScanDaBands]

I know this has probably been posted before but just to help you out , this helps too.

 

[SAR923]

I'm also using it in the bedroom, mounted on a cookie sheet on top of one of the towers that are part of our bedroom set. I did the mods pictured above and, while they seemed to help on VHF-Hi, I really couldn't tell the difference on any of the other bands. I'm not sure I'd want to use this as a mobile antenna just because of the construction quality but it does a good job with my 2096 without causing the desense that's so common with outdoor antennas.

 

[photovision]

(seriously)..................

The 20-012 was the original antenna and the coax terminated in a banana plug. I own one and it is worse than no antenna at all (seriously) on VHF and 800 MHz. That is probably why it had to be modified to work, I never bothered with the mod. The 20-032 is supposed to be the same antenna with the coax terminating in a BNC connector, but it really can't be exactly the same since most people claim it works to some extent.

I also have had both and were equal in performance. Quite good actually. Did you run yours with no coax? :>

 

[loumaag]

I also have had both and were equal in performance. Quite good actually. Did you run yours with no coax? :>

No, actually (according to the antenna analyser) the 20-012 is okay.

I used to live about 4 blocks from the county SO and listening on the input side of the repeaters (So. Dakota TRS), I could hear the SO dispatch with no antenna, if I hooked up the 20-012, that would go away. I could hear absolutely nothing with it hooked up, not even the WX radio. I could hear the mobile extender of the state trooper who lived 2 houses down when he was parked at home for lunch or something, but that was UHF. Hence my conclusion that the 20-012 was worse then no antenna at all. :wink: