I realize the stock OEM antenna tha comes with the SDS-100 is not very efficient especially on 700/800 mhz based on numerous comments over the years.
I was curious if it work’s reasonabley well on VHF/UHF ?
Thanks as alway to the great forum members
Live Long and Prosper 🖖🏻
John
If your conventional systems are relatively close (like in your same county, or in an adjacent county, but near the border), or have a good, strong, signal, it works decently. I have used the similar OEM antenna a few times on my 436HP, since while it's not "great" on all frequencies, the lesser signal strength reduces simulcast issues.
Of course, there is no perfect antenna for all bands. Each one is somewhat of a compromise: fair to good on some bands, no so good on others. The "gain" type 700/800MHz antennas (often referred to as the "RadioShack 800MHz", since they were the first to promote it) work well on the 700/800MHz frequencies. It works reasonably well (for me) on Uhf, but is not good on Vhf. The
Remtronix 842S is a better choice if you need all three major bands (Vhf, Uhf, 700/800MHz), Better on Vhf, good on Uhf, and works reasonably well for the 700/800MHz systems in my area (they're mostly fairly close, with good signal strength). (The 842B is the BNC version. I use that, with the BNC adapter on the SDS100, because depending on where I am, or traveling too, I may take several antennas better suited for specific frequency ranges in the area I am in or passing through.)
For some people, the
Diamond RH77CA is the best choice. Much better on Vhf, very good on Uhf, and fairly good on 700/800MHz. I'm using that on my 436HP, laid flat on my desk, That use minimizes the simulcast distortion on the new system Dallas & Dallas County are migrating to.
I quite often use an
RH789 antenna on my SDS100 when traveling to more rural areas. It's a telescoping antenna, with markings on it suggesting how far to extend it for specific radio bands. (I use the BNC with the adapter. There is an SMA version, but the SMA connector on it does not play well with the recessed SMA connector on the SDS100.)
Some people sing the praises of the
Condor antenna, speaking of how well it works. I bought one a number of years back, to use on my 396XT, Frankly, I was very disappointed in how it performed. Maybe they've improved it since then, or maybe the one I had had some sort of defect. It's been gathering dust in the back of a desk drawer for years.
