Vehicle antenna question

[FrankM]

What is the best antenna for a vehicle for use with the P25 systems here in South Dakota ? Thank you !

 

[Bob1955]

What is the best antenna for a vehicle for use with the P25 systems here in South Dakota ? Thank you !

Frank-For a magnetic mount antenna, a Hustler MRM-BNC which includes 12' of cable, a strong magnet and good 25-1,300 Mhz range.
I have one so any questions, reach out.
Stay safe.

 

[prcguy]

What frequency range do you need? The Hustler antenna mentioned is simply a VHF whip with a loading coil/trap for the top whip tuned to a single frequency in the 30-50MHz VHF lo band. It has no specific elements for UHF or 700/800 and would rely on the VHF whip being a 3/4 wave on VHF which works but is not ideal. If you need UHF or 700/800 there are much better choicesm (and much smaller) and since you mentioned P25 you probably don't need VHF lo band which will make any antenna much longer.

 

[Bob1955]

What frequency range do you need? The Hustler antenna mentioned is simply a VHF whip with a loading coil/trap for the top whip tuned to a single frequency in the 30-50MHz VHF lo band. It has no specific elements for UHF or 700/800 and would rely on the VHF whip being a 3/4 wave on VHF which works but is not ideal. If you need UHF or 700/800 there are much better choicesm (and much smaller) and since you mentioned P25 you probably don't need VHF lo band which will make any antenna much longer.

prcguy- The antenna for me, did a fantastic job on VHF LO/VHF Hi/UHF, and also 700-800 Mhz trunking P.25 and the price-point isn't bad either.
You are getting too technical for someone that "probably" doesn't know about 3/4 wave and or trimming a antenna.

 

[prcguy]

prcguy- The antenna for me, did a fantastic job on VHF LO/VHF Hi/UHF, and also 700-800 Mhz trunking P.25 and the price-point isn't bad either.
You are getting too technical for someone that "probably" doesn't know about 3/4 wave and or trimming a antenna.

"Did fantastic for you", compared to what? How do you know it doesn't work that well compared to something else?

 

[kayn1n32008]

What is the best antenna for a vehicle for use with the P25 systems here in South Dakota ? Thank you !

Looks like the state operates a VHF P25 trunk system. Based on the frequencies in the data base, a VHF half wave would be an excellent choice if you only want to listen to the state P25 system. If you want something lower profile, then a basic VHF 1/4 wave will also work well.

If you want to monitor some of the UHF mobile extender frequencies, then a multiband antenna will serve you well. Even a 1/4 VHF will work, as it is also resonant on UHF.

 

[nolinger]

Larsen NMO150-450-800 Tri-Band... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P9JAVF6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I use these on my vehicles. Many counties around me use their own UHF repeater system as well, so the multi band antenna works well.