Which mobile antenna?

[N1GTL]

I am trying to decide what to do between the following antennas:

http://revanchellc.com/cgi-bin/miva...uct_Code=NMO150-450-800&Category_Code=AMMULTI

OR

http://www.scannermaster.com/Austin_Spectra_Mobile_Antenna_p/04-540720.htm

If I buy the Larsen, it is about 16" and I can mount it on the ROOF of my Explorer. If I buy the Austin, I will mount it on a 90 degree bracket attached to the front left fender coming out the crack between the hood.

With the Larsen on the roof I will have a nice big ground plane (the whole roof) versus having a bigger antenna but no real ground plane. 90% of what I listen to is above 400 MHz so I am leaning toward the Larsen. Am I missing any considerations?

 

[northzone]

I have both of those antennas and have tried dozens more over the years. From what I have found, a 1/4 vhf whip (a simple rod cut to about 18 inches and $6 from larsen w/o mount) works as good as anything I have used on vhf and above. Of course of you need lowband lenght is important, but the vhf whip works ok even on lowband.

 

[pogbobo]

how about this

http://cgi.ebay.com/UHF-NMO-Mount-M...ryZ53107QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

not bad for $15 total

 

[mfuller1950]

That particular antenna that you are looking at on ebay is cut for the 450 mhz range

 

[prcguy]

I have several of the Larsen tri-banders and a few Maxrad BMAXSCAN1000s. They are very similar but my perception is the Maxrad works better on VHF hi and VHF/UHF aircraft, which neither antenna is actually tuned for. The Maxrad is also NMO.
prcguy

 

[trooperdude]

I have both of those antennas and have tried dozens more over the years. From what I have found, a 1/4 vhf whip (a simple rod cut to about 18 inches and $6 from larsen w/o mount) works as good as anything I have used on vhf and above. Of course of you need lowband lenght is important, but the vhf whip works ok even on lowband.

I would have to agree. I run a Sti-Co whip cut to 18inches with an NMO mount and
it performs well on vhf/uhf/800 and even on 42mhz for CHP.

I tossed my larsen tri-bander a few years ago, and went with the 1/4 wave VHF whip.

 

[Kwstalk]

I drive a big rig and would like to put a scanner in my truck. The 1/4 wavw VHF whip sounds like something that would work for me. My question is where is the best plave to get one?

 

[trooperdude]

I drive a big rig and would like to put a scanner in my truck. The 1/4 wavw VHF whip sounds like something that would work for me. My question is where is the best plave to get one?

Google is your friend.

NMO Mirror mount:
http://www.radiobooks.com/products/nmomir.htm

Antenna:
http://shop.electro-comm.com/ac/Product.aspx?Id=62156&view=8

 

[mfuller1950]

Is that $52.00 for the 1/4 wave antenna only ???