VHF Lo-band antenna
- Thread starter Reefguy
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ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
Reefguy said:
If all you're interested in is low band, then a 6 meter mag mount or similar would in all likelihood serve you very well. I used a Cushcraft CS50 on a handheld during a couple of summers when skip was in, and had my hands full with it. It performed very well.
In general, shorter antennas need some sort of coil or matching combination to be resonant on lower frequencies; if the matching is done poorly, the results will be similarly poor. You really can't get away from it, but there are some exceptions....check out this site with reviews of mobile antennas....totally unscientific but very interesting reading:
http://www.northwestradio.com/interceptnw/antennas.htm
and in the off chance you pick up one of the RS mag mounts at a hamfest or auction, and want to tweak it up a bit, here's a .gif that tells you how to do it:
http://www.strongsignals.net/access/image/antennas/bearwires.gif
As I understand it, the NilJon works OK on low band, but is not really designed for it. Finally, Antenna Specialists's MON-R series of antennas are usually pretty good; but I think you'll find that the CS50 will suit you very well, if low band is all you're interested in.
73s Mike
Low Band Antenna
I have used the RS antenna (mentioned above) for many years. I adapted it to a NMO mount for low power TX use. It works well enough on 50/150/450 with the mag mount for receive. I use a single VHF antenna for 50 mHz (1/4 wave) and 150 mHz (5/8 wave) for higher power TX.
I have used the RS antenna (mentioned above) for many years. I adapted it to a NMO mount for low power TX use. It works well enough on 50/150/450 with the mag mount for receive. I use a single VHF antenna for 50 mHz (1/4 wave) and 150 mHz (5/8 wave) for higher power TX.
Try the Antenna Specialist MONR52 or MONR53. They are long, but for good VHF low band recption, they need to be. And they work well on the other bands too. "Short" and "low band" and "good reception" don't go together!
:wink:
MaxRad, Larsen, Comtelco and Antenex all make base-loaded 1/4w NMO mount lowband antennas.
A Larsen VHF-Hi 5/8 wave also covers a portion of 50-54 Mhz (depending on how it's tuned for 144-148 MHz) and recieves lowband and highband VHF very well.
MaxRad and Comtelco make some great antenna's, with many public safety agencies using them.
Larsen is good also, and has a decent selection for the ham community.
Antenex is a newer company, and had some QC issues initially, but they up to par now and make some good products. They have a wide range of options and bandsplits to make everyone happy.
IMHO, I'd look at Antenex and Comtelco since they offer the widest range of choices and options like black antennas and shock springs.
www.antenex.com
www.comtelco.net
A Larsen VHF-Hi 5/8 wave also covers a portion of 50-54 Mhz (depending on how it's tuned for 144-148 MHz) and recieves lowband and highband VHF very well.
MaxRad and Comtelco make some great antenna's, with many public safety agencies using them.
Larsen is good also, and has a decent selection for the ham community.
Antenex is a newer company, and had some QC issues initially, but they up to par now and make some good products. They have a wide range of options and bandsplits to make everyone happy.
IMHO, I'd look at Antenex and Comtelco since they offer the widest range of choices and options like black antennas and shock springs.
www.antenex.com
www.comtelco.net
K5MAR
Member
I had problems with the highly-touted spring-loaded center contact on the Antennex antennas, so went back to Larsen. There's a good reason why they're probably the most widely-used antenna by public safety professionals.
I use a Larsen NMO-50B for my mobile 6m amateur radio, which also does a bang-up job of receving the Okla. Highway Patrol lowband frequencies. I would highly recommend it.
Mark S.
I use a Larsen NMO-50B for my mobile 6m amateur radio, which also does a bang-up job of receving the Okla. Highway Patrol lowband frequencies. I would highly recommend it.
Mark S.
LarrySC
Member
There is a MAXRAD mobile at this site. Comes cut for 39 MHz. 49" long with base load. Stock # 39-42 Standard Motorola NMO kit with hardware and coax and BNC. www.bncantenna.com
doctordave
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Larry,
Do you have a base mount with the appropriate-length ground radials for use with this low-band antenna?
Do you have a base mount with the appropriate-length ground radials for use with this low-band antenna?
KC4ZEX
Member
low band ant
Try the MFJ 1728 Dual Band mag mount great on low band 6 meters an 2 meters an high. Price $30.00 and you get a bnc adapter. I have had one a couple yrs.
Try the MFJ 1728 Dual Band mag mount great on low band 6 meters an 2 meters an high. Price $30.00 and you get a bnc adapter. I have had one a couple yrs.
doctordave
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Thanks....I'm actually looking for another dedicated low-band antenna for attic mounting.....curious if Larry of BNCANTENNA has a base adaptor that is fitted w/ ground radials that are of the appropriate length for VHF-Low, to be used along w/ the maxrad 49" mobile VHF-Low antenna.
LarrySC
Member
The only radials for the base adp are 19" for 2m ham or cut them for VHF. The hole in adp unit is so small nothing else will fit. If you have room, I would use mast for the ground and run coax down thru it. Cut mast for lowest freq you would monitor. Larry
K5MAR
Member
Don't know who, if anybody, still makes them, but try looking for a quarter-wave CB groundplane antenna. Used to be real common, and easily trimmed for the VHF-lowband.
Mark S.
Mark S.
Hi guys,
If you really want the full monty go for Antenna Specialists commercial antennas. The Lo Band model is a base loaded 1/4 wave and the VHF Hi Band is a 5/8 wave transformer fed, they all look alike. ASP sells an NMO adapter kit so with that mount you can use Motorola antennas and others along with the ASPs. Band specific antennas cut for the frequency in use are the very best, but adjusted for the center of the band they work exceptionally well on receive across the band in use.
BTW, permanent mounting in the center of the vehicle roof is best, second choice on the trunk lid, third is the trunk lip.
Oh, the frequency range is marked on the base coil and most can be used on nearby ham bands and some cover the bands, one covers 11M CB. Just select the proper coil and trim the whip according to the frequency chart. I had to extrapolate one for 6M but ended up with a 1:1 SWR in the FM portion of the band, perfect.
If you really want the full monty go for Antenna Specialists commercial antennas. The Lo Band model is a base loaded 1/4 wave and the VHF Hi Band is a 5/8 wave transformer fed, they all look alike. ASP sells an NMO adapter kit so with that mount you can use Motorola antennas and others along with the ASPs. Band specific antennas cut for the frequency in use are the very best, but adjusted for the center of the band they work exceptionally well on receive across the band in use.
BTW, permanent mounting in the center of the vehicle roof is best, second choice on the trunk lid, third is the trunk lip.
Oh, the frequency range is marked on the base coil and most can be used on nearby ham bands and some cover the bands, one covers 11M CB. Just select the proper coil and trim the whip according to the frequency chart. I had to extrapolate one for 6M but ended up with a 1:1 SWR in the FM portion of the band, perfect.
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