RadioactiveWave
Newbie
Was wondering a question what type of mobile antenna preferably magnetic base, would be best suited for the uniden sd200 to cover most emergency frequencies example fire EMS police@
Uniden SDS200, newbe question, mobile antenna that will cover most bandwidths
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Amazon.com
You'll have to get an NMO mag mount base with a BNC termination.
In my opinion, it's the best Tri-Band on the market.
Amazon.com: Larsen NMO150-450-800 Tri-Band Nmo Antenna
Amazon.com: Larsen NMO150-450-800 Tri-Band Nmo Antenna
www.amazon.com
You'll have to get an NMO mag mount base with a BNC termination.
In my opinion, it's the best Tri-Band on the market.
MILCOMM
Member
Receiving antennas cut to a specific frequency is not as important as a transmitting antenna.
A broadband antenna such as PulseLarsen NMOQSPECB Antenna Mobile Single 2M, NMOQSPECB
would be a good choice at a low cost .
RadioactiveWave
Newbie
Thank you I'll have to try that, another question if I may would d130j original diamond antenna, link below,
D130J - Diamond Antenna
www.diamondantenna.net
Reconrider
Inside the Galaxy
I have the DPD productions tri band, and I can say it's close to the larson but the dpd is just better by design.
it's a higher cost but I feel much better having an antenna that's not sold on amazon. Something about not being sold on amazon gives me 110% more hope
it's a higher cost but I feel much better having an antenna that's not sold on amazon. Something about not being sold on amazon gives me 110% more hope
Depending upon where you live, you might not have those services on all of the three bands mentioned for the Larsen antenna, meaning a multiband triband antenna would not be necessary. But buying anything less than what donc13 recommends is highly unadvisable. You have a Uniden SDS200 multiband scanner. Mounting anything less than a triband antenna would reduce the scanner’s capability. I’d think for what that scanner costs, getting it to perform to the max is what should be the intent foremost in our minds. You won’t go wrong with what Donc13 recommended.
I do recognize there are other purchasing processes that people use such as buying the most expensive because, generally speaking, that’s the model that will give you the best performance, even if you only use it for the bare minimum of available functions. And while I might disagree with that, there may be valid reasons (which I am not aware of) for the logic behind their thinking. They have every right to think whatever way they want. It doesn’t make it wrong simply because someone might disagree with it. There is no right or wrong in this case, it’s just a matter of choice. I knew someone who had to have the most expensive HF amateur radio transceiver and only used it on one band. His reason for buying more than he needed was he had made himself a promise when he first got into ham radio that someday he was going to have the best, most expensive equipment available. But over the years, most all of his radio buddies had died off from old age, leaving just a few who operate on one band. If you can afford it why not? You can’t take it with you.
I do recognize there are other purchasing processes that people use such as buying the most expensive because, generally speaking, that’s the model that will give you the best performance, even if you only use it for the bare minimum of available functions. And while I might disagree with that, there may be valid reasons (which I am not aware of) for the logic behind their thinking. They have every right to think whatever way they want. It doesn’t make it wrong simply because someone might disagree with it. There is no right or wrong in this case, it’s just a matter of choice. I knew someone who had to have the most expensive HF amateur radio transceiver and only used it on one band. His reason for buying more than he needed was he had made himself a promise when he first got into ham radio that someday he was going to have the best, most expensive equipment available. But over the years, most all of his radio buddies had died off from old age, leaving just a few who operate on one band. If you can afford it why not? You can’t take it with you.
I have this antenna as well. It does a good job in my metro area, as well as when I go out west of DFW where Vhf-high systems predominate.
tvengr
Well Known Member
This antenna is very similar and has a spring at the base to protect against damage from low objects such as tree limbs: Amazon.com: NMO150/450/758 - Pulse Larsen Tri Band Antenna with Spring, NMO : Electronics
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For mobile, I wanted an antenna that had the best signal for my local emergency services, but wide enough band coverage for close call. Driving all over the place, I hear a lot of things on close call, usually vhf-hi and up, but I've also gotten a few things on vhf-low, but it's few and far between. I listen to the air bands once in a while also. Just my two cents.
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I have that exact Diamond antenna in my attic and can pick up signals pretty far away. Just the way it is, no trimming. I only use it for receiving.Thank you I'll have to try that, another question if I may would d130j original diamond antenna, link below,
Be good for a stationery antenna 📡 ?D130J - Diamond Antenna
kny2xb
Member
EM Wave EM-M43002
theantennafarm.com
EM Wave EM-M43002 - Triple Band Mobile Antennas
Tri-Band 150-162/450-490/763-870 MHz IP67 Rated Roof Mount Antenna
theantennafarm.com
The Diamond antenna is a good choice. It’s an antenna that plays well over a wide frequency range… including all that the SDS200 is capable of receiving. It’s a non-gain “discone” antenna. When I see “discone I think “non-gain”. But it’s omnidirectional meaning it receives equally well in all directions as opposed to gain antennas such as log periedoic (yagi) or “beam” antennas that have some gain but are directional, which means you need a rotator to aim the antenna in any given direction. (However, I have a yagi to listen to an airport that’s on the fringe of my reception area in an attempt to improve reception of the airport tower, with a rotator, but find I really don’t need a rotator as it receives pretty good off the sides for other services I listen to… I simply point it at the airport and leave it there.
If you use the discone omnidirectional antenna suggested and the reception isn’t as you expect, try first turning it a bit before you think about a directional antenna. Sometimes a slight turn of the antenna will get you out of a “null”, a dead spot inherent with any antenna design that uses radials. But it’s very uncommon to experience this-I haven’t seen anything ever posted and have never noticed it when I tried it… just something about the physics, the propagation of radio signals…
The amateur radio operators have a saying about transmission… if the transmit signal isn’t getting the job done, try doubling the height of your antenna before doubling your power output. In most cases that’s all that’s needed. This advice also plays well for reception. So, if your antenna is at 20’, increasing it’s height should help before looking at gain antennas.
While we are on the subject choose carefully your feedline coax. I use Belden 9913. It’s a thick coax but I use it for most of my run into the house (50’). When I get it to where it comes into the house I use a smaller diameter coax (a pigtail) which is more manageable. Just keep the pigtail distance as short as possible. They also make thinner coaxes that play well and eliminate the need for a pigtail. Coax is measured in a loss of signal over 100’. The higher in frequency you go the more signal loss becomes a problem. Using RG58 is great for CB at 27 MHz but is terrible for the UHF band (450 MHz) and higher (700, 800, 900 MHz ranges. My advice would be to call a reputable dealer such as Scanner Master and talk to them about this. They know what’s available for the bands you hope to monitor and can recommend a suitable feedline. It does us no good to spend good money for an antenna and scanner only to find your reception sucks due to using the wrong coax/feedline.
If you use the discone omnidirectional antenna suggested and the reception isn’t as you expect, try first turning it a bit before you think about a directional antenna. Sometimes a slight turn of the antenna will get you out of a “null”, a dead spot inherent with any antenna design that uses radials. But it’s very uncommon to experience this-I haven’t seen anything ever posted and have never noticed it when I tried it… just something about the physics, the propagation of radio signals…
The amateur radio operators have a saying about transmission… if the transmit signal isn’t getting the job done, try doubling the height of your antenna before doubling your power output. In most cases that’s all that’s needed. This advice also plays well for reception. So, if your antenna is at 20’, increasing it’s height should help before looking at gain antennas.
While we are on the subject choose carefully your feedline coax. I use Belden 9913. It’s a thick coax but I use it for most of my run into the house (50’). When I get it to where it comes into the house I use a smaller diameter coax (a pigtail) which is more manageable. Just keep the pigtail distance as short as possible. They also make thinner coaxes that play well and eliminate the need for a pigtail. Coax is measured in a loss of signal over 100’. The higher in frequency you go the more signal loss becomes a problem. Using RG58 is great for CB at 27 MHz but is terrible for the UHF band (450 MHz) and higher (700, 800, 900 MHz ranges. My advice would be to call a reputable dealer such as Scanner Master and talk to them about this. They know what’s available for the bands you hope to monitor and can recommend a suitable feedline. It does us no good to spend good money for an antenna and scanner only to find your reception sucks due to using the wrong coax/feedline.
All good advice !! I started using LMR-400 and like it better at higher frequencies. For a couple of $$ more I have the dealer install connectors especially at the outdoor end, with a weather boot !!!!! For the length of time it will be used the extra $$ comes out to nothing. 73 to all Michael
You will find a paper clip works just about as well as any of these high price antennas. Location is the most important factor of all. Up and out. Resonant antennas help a little but a resonant antenna in a basement wont do as well as paper clip high up and outside. Other factors like power lines and broadcast stations all play into it.
Not for anything below 800mhz unless the transmitter is in your back yard
Try it. Perfectly tuned antennas are needed for weak signals. Transmitting is a totally different story. For shortwave it definitely helps to have at least a 1/4 wave antenna but for VHF/UHF, I never, ever noticed any difference. I use a HDTV antenna for my base scanner, paid $5 for it. Works great.
It’s not a paper clip. The forum deals with people that have zero experience (with scanners and accessories) to experts. Those with less subject knowledge don’t know where we draw the line between actual and exaggeration. Some are likely to take your mention of a paper clip literally. The OP on this thread seems to have a good working knowledge (his mention of LMR-400) but others following the thread may not.
🙋🏻♂️
lu81fitter
Member
@RadioactiveWave
I have this antenna about 30 ft up with a ground plane kit with 18 in radials at my house and it works very well form VHF-HI to 7/800 MHz. It also works great on my car with a permanent NMO mount.
theantennafarm.com
You can use an NMO mag mount for it if you must, but it's just harder on your cable running through doors or trunk lids and the magnet is hard on the paint. If it works for you, have at it.
I used to use mag mounts all the time until I realized the convenience and reliability of a permanent NMO. Once I drilled my first hole, I never looked back.
I have this antenna about 30 ft up with a ground plane kit with 18 in radials at my house and it works very well form VHF-HI to 7/800 MHz. It also works great on my car with a permanent NMO mount.
Larsen NMO150/450/758 Mobile Antenna Tri-Band 150-165,450-470,700/800MHz
Tri-band antenna covers 150-174, 430-520 & 750-870, 100 Watts, Whip Length 16.5"
theantennafarm.com
You can use an NMO mag mount for it if you must, but it's just harder on your cable running through doors or trunk lids and the magnet is hard on the paint. If it works for you, have at it.
I used to use mag mounts all the time until I realized the convenience and reliability of a permanent NMO. Once I drilled my first hole, I never looked back.
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