Tram 1400?

[BillH1]

Has anyone used the tram 1400 base antenna. I am looking to hook it up to a scanner to replace a centerfire antenna. 90% of what I listen to is VHF between 150 and 174 Mhz, and the tram is supposed to have 6db gain between 136 and 174 Mhz. I live in a fringe area, but am currently receiving what I want to receive, but not very well. Most of the time i can't make out what is being said. I'm not real concerned with switching from a VHF/UHF antenna to a dedicated VHF antenna because most UHF I do listen to is high powered and local to me. Im open to recommendations as well, I just don't want to spend a small fortune. The VHF frequencies I listen to are about 30 + miles away and my antenna is about 33 Ft in the air, and like I said, i'm receiving them, but not very well. Would swapping to a high gain VHF antenna help? If im not mistaken the antenna I am currently using is unity gain, but i'm not sure.

This is the antenna i'm looking to replace, opinions please.
https://centerfireantenna.com/antenna-menu/vhfuhf-multi-band/

Here is the tram
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tram-140...F-135MHz-174MHz-Base-Station-Antenna/51629597

Thank you,
Bill

 

[BillH1]

I'm also looking for recommendations for antennas that will cover the VHF/UHF band that doesn't cost a fortune.

 

[Ubbe]

90% of what I listen to is VHF between 150 and 174 Mhz, and the tram is supposed to have 6db gain between 136 and 174 Mhz.

You read the specification incorrectly. It is 6dBd within 5MHz. So let says you tune the antenna to 162MHz and the 6dBd gain will then be between 159-165MHz. It is a 5/8 wave stacked on a 5/8 and when you have elements coupled in series you will get a narrow bandwidth. If you focus on your 150-174MHz it will still be better than a standard 1/4 wave and the antenna have a reasoanble price and will be a good buy.

You could first try and match your firestick to you VHF range. The vertical top element can be cut, or lenghten, to match a single 5/8 wave for 162MHz and that will be a 45 inches lenght.

/Ubbe

 

[prcguy]

Besides only covering a small portion of the VHF band, it does not have 6dB gain of any sort even with the wind behind it. Looking at the design I would estimate the gain to be around 3dBD.

To get an actual 6dBD gain over most of the frequency range you are looking for the only antenna that would come close would be an exposed 4-bay dipole array. These would be about 21ft tall and have a good 20MHz band width, maybe a little more for some brands.

 

[ipfd320]

The 1400 well are good for about 3 years--I Have 1--The Faults are (1)-Water Fills Up Inside the Radials--(2)--When Radial are Full the Loading Coils Also Fill Up with Water--(3) Where the Base Radial Screw is there is NO Meat on the 1st Lower Radial and After Time the Radial will Snap at the Base

The Way I Had to Solve the Problem with the Antenna was to Set the Frequency--Silicone the Radials--Put Rubber O-Rings at the Loading Coils and Drill a Small Hole in the Lower Radial for Water Drainage & Use a Small Washer at the Screw Point to Hold


Your Best Bet is to Get an Antenna Pre Amp--(Recieve Amp) for Your Set Up--The Cheaper Way to Go and Who Knows you may get Another Antenna and Get the Same Results You have Now and be Unhappy Due to the Money You Spent for Nothing

Good Luck with your Venture

 

[BillH1]

You read the specification incorrectly. It is 6dBd within 5MHz. So let says you tune the antenna to 162MHz and the 6dBd gain will then be between 159-165MHz. It is a 5/8 wave stacked on a 5/8 and when you have elements coupled in series you will get a narrow bandwidth. If you focus on your 150-174MHz it will still be better than a standard 1/4 wave and the antenna have a reasoanble price and will be a good buy.

You could first try and match your firestick to you VHF range. The vertical top element can be cut, or lenghten, to match a single 5/8 wave for 162MHz and that will be a 45 inches lenght.

/Ubbe

Thank you for the correction, that makes more sense.