Vehicle roof mount antennas for SDS100?

[Westhills24]

Hello,

I’m planning on getting an SDS100 soon and we’re coincidentally getting a new SUV and naturally I started thinking about how I could integrate the two (lol) for when I’m in the car.

What came to mind was how to improve the scanner’s reception while in the vehicle. Then I thought I would be willing to get a proper wide band antenna (are all stealth antennas crap or are some worth looking at?) mounted on the roof. I’m open to both stealth and non-stealth, but I’m sure my wife would prefer lower profile. And then obviously running a low loss wire down to the center console area.

We have a wide range of agencies in the Bay Area. CHP uses 42mhz, local PDs use 480mhz, fire uses 150mhz, and then a bunch have switched to the P25 system.

you’re allowed to dunk on me so long as you include a helpful suggestion

 

[AI7PM]

An 18 to 19 inch (quarterwave VHF) whip will give you good receive on the VHF and up. Stay away from the stealth, cheap salt shakers, and thru glass stuff. Larsen offers a multi-band (VHF, UHF, 7/800) that's about 18 inches tall.

 

[BC_Scan]

Larsen offers a multi-band (VHF, UHF, 7/800)

i have this on my vehicle and it works like a hot damm ! for a wb scanner its all you need

 

[Westhills24]

Thanks! You don’t happen to know the product name/model number do you?

 

[W9WSS]

I STRONGLY recommend the Em-Wave mobile scanner antenna with an NMO mount. It receives 150-162/450-490/763-870 MHz.

It's model EM-M43002 and lists for $39.95. I found it a superior mobile antenna with a spring. It's 17.7 inches long.

Here's the link to Antenna Farm's product:

EM Wave EM-M43002 - Triple Band Mobile Antennas

Tri-Band 150-162/450-490/763-870 MHz IP67 Rated Roof Mount Antenna

theantennafarm.com

I removed the section at the bottom of the spring, leaving the NMO base attached to the roof mount for the car wash.

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[Randyk4661]

I use this in the car when traveling. It works well down here in So. Calif.
It's mag mount so I wouldn't recommend it for a permanent solution.

SpectrumForce Wideband Antenna with Mag Mount and BNC | Scanner Master

If you are looking for a permanent mount then a simple VHF 1/4 wave antenna will work. Back in the day when I sold scanners I would recommend this type of antenna for a simple style. In fact when a local newspaper was putting scanners in the reporters cars, this is what we used for them as they had to listen to CHP through 900 trunking.

 

[mc48]

NMO150/450/758 - Pulse Larsen Tri Band Antenna with Spring​

Sold everywhere, with or without a spring.

 

[hill]

The only issue with all the linked antennas posted already is none really work great for VHF Low Band. With CHP on this frequency ramge. Need kind of large antenna to work great on low band.

Going forward with low band not being used as much now their is less need for antennas to cover this range. Back in the day Antenna Specialist used to have great mobile antennas to use for low band with additional frequency bands, but they are long out business.

 

[mmckenna]

Any antenna will work for low band, just depends on how well. You are not going to get good low band performance out of anything low profile. Low band -really- likes a properly tuned antenna of suitable length.

Low profile antennas are usually designed for a single band, and they can work well on UHF, 700 or 800MHz. The "low profile" VHF antennas are pretty much crap, don't waste your money on those, you -will- be disappointed unless you don't expect any sort of performance.

Everything else, VHF High, UHF, 700 and 800MHz on one antenna is pretty easy to do.

I've got multiband radios in my work and personal truck, VHF, UHF, 700 and 800MHz. On my work truck, I'm running the EM Wave multiband antenna:

EM Wave EM-M43002 - Triple Band Mobile Antennas

Tri-Band 150-162/450-490/763-870 MHz IP67 Rated Roof Mount Antenna

theantennafarm.com

It works very well and is a very nicely designed antenna. You can't go wrong with this one.
On my personal truck, I'm running the Larsen version:

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

Another nice antenna that works well.

Both these are about 18" tall and will blend in well.

I'd also recommend doing a permanent install, as in actually drilling the hole in the roof and installing a proper NMO mount. It'll give you a bit of edge on performance compared to a mag mount, and will prevent damage to coaxial cable from getting pinched in doors or windows. It also looks a lot more professional and lower profile:

Larsen NMOKHFUDSMAI - NMO 3/4" Hole Mounts SMA

3/4" NMO Permanent Hole Mount. For standard vehicle roof mount antenna installation. 0-2500 MHz, SMA Male Connector Installed

theantennafarm.com

 

[N9WI]

A word of caution. Be sure you have enough real estate on the roof to accommodate either a mag mount or NMO mount. Many SUV's sunroofs take up a tremendous amount of space. Best solution - no sunroof.

 

[Elpablo]

I have a new Honda Pilot with a panoramic sunroof. I just completed my install this week. I had to go with a Larsen NMO mag mount over drilling the hole, unfortunately. Once I got the antenna cable fed through the vehicle and connected to my SDS200, I was not disappointed with my choice. I am getting pretty decent RSSI numbers using my Motorola 700/800 MHz antenna (HAF4013A) most of the time for our systems here around San Diego. This is very low profile.
I also use Laird tri-band antenna and it does pretty well for Low Band/CHP within reason. Meaning I get the surrounding areas that I'm near (SD, Oceanside, Temecula) with decent reception. I love this antenna for trips as it's only about 16" tall. Plus, with an SUV, the significant ground plane helps (even with a panaramic sunroof)! Hopefully, this info helps.
150/450/800MHz Mobile Scanner Antenna Black w/Spring Laird Connectivity ABSCANCS
Larsen NMOMMRUD25NC - NMO Magnet Mounts Custom Fitting
Motorola HAF4013 Wide Area Through-Hole Low Profile 3dB Gain Antenna - Motorola Solutions - Radioparts

 

[scottyhetzel]

Any antenna will work for low band, just depends on how well. You are not going to get good low band performance out of anything low profile. Low band -really- likes a properly tuned antenna of suitable length.

Low profile antennas are usually designed for a single band, and they can work well on UHF, 700 or 800MHz. The "low profile" VHF antennas are pretty much crap, don't waste your money on those, you -will- be disappointed unless you don't expect any sort of performance.

Everything else, VHF High, UHF, 700 and 800MHz on one antenna is pretty easy to do.

I've got multiband radios in my work and personal truck, VHF, UHF, 700 and 800MHz. On my work truck, I'm running the EM Wave multiband antenna:

EM Wave EM-M43002 - Triple Band Mobile Antennas

Tri-Band 150-162/450-490/763-870 MHz IP67 Rated Roof Mount Antenna

theantennafarm.com

It works very well and is a very nicely designed antenna. You can't go wrong with this one.
On my personal truck, I'm running the Larsen version:

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

Another nice antenna that works well.

Both these are about 18" tall and will blend in well.

I'd also recommend doing a permanent install, as in actually drilling the hole in the roof and installing a proper NMO mount. It'll give you a bit of edge on performance compared to a mag mount, and will prevent damage to coaxial cable from getting pinched in doors or windows. It also looks a lot more professional and lower profile:

Larsen NMOKHFUDSMAI - NMO 3/4" Hole Mounts SMA

3/4" NMO Permanent Hole Mount. For standard vehicle roof mount antenna installation. 0-2500 MHz, SMA Male Connector Installed

theantennafarm.com

Hi Mmckenna, what your fav low band antenna for CHP ? I know I have to get a dedicated radio for it.... than have second radio with the Larsen. I always enjoy your expertise over the years... I learn so much.

 

[mmckenna]

Hi Mmckenna, what your fav low band antenna for CHP ? I know I have to get a dedicated radio for it.... than have second radio with the Larsen. I always enjoy your expertise over the years... I learn so much.

Well, 1/4 wave whip would be ideal, but that's probably not an option for most.

The base loaded 1/4 wave whips with the NMO mount would be your best choice other than that.
I can't remember what model/brand the CHP uses on theirs. I want to say it's a Laird, but I might be wrong.

 

[sflmonitor]

I have used many antennas but I will say that the best two are either the Larsen or EM Wave. Both make a significant difference over just a 1/4 wave VHF whip.

 

[qc]

Hi Mmckenna, what your fav low band antenna for CHP ? I know I have to get a dedicated radio for it.... than have second radio with the Larsen. I always enjoy your expertise over the years... I learn so much.

The CHP had used the Laird WPC39S0B-001 https://www.wpsantennas.com/WPC39S0...owband-39-to-46-MHz-frequency-2-dBi-gain.aspx but not sure what the current one is

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