Will the Diamond RH77CA work for mobile set-up

[vi3t1uv]

Hello folks,
Let me introduce myself, my name is Johnny. I'm new to the hobby and also new in the forum. Anyways, i got myself a Pro528 and also bought the Diamond RH77CA for it. My main scanning purpose is pretty much local VHF but it's really bad reception in the vehicle so i was thinking about mount the Diamond RH77CA on the roof of the vehicle. My only concerns are what kind mount options i need to get for that because the antenna has BNC connector. Will this setup work, or i have to get a different antenna?

 

[DPD1]

You don't really need a ground plane, so just one of those window clips would work. But unless you only plan on using it while you're parked, I would get a proper exterior antenna. The hand-held one will most likely get ruined in a fairly short time. It's not really meant to be used that way. A mobile antenna will probably be a little better anyway.

 

[vi3t1uv]

You don't really need a ground plane, so just one of those window clips would work. But unless you only plan on using it while you're parked, I would get a proper exterior antenna. The hand-held one will most likely get ruined in a fairly short time. It's not really meant to be used that way. A mobile antenna will probably be a little better anyway.

Thanks for the advice, now there are many of mobile antenna out there. Which one would be the best to go with, what's your recommendation?

 

[DPD1]

Well that's a bigger question. It all depends on the bands you listen to most and which ones you're most interested in. There's really nothing that will get everything perfectly. Typically you have to make some kind of sacrifice. If VHF is your thing, I'd go with a 5/8 wave tuned to whatever your fave freq or band is, or if you have multiple, then put it in the middle. Like if you listen to 150-170, then put it at 160. If you also listen to 800 stuff or something, it will probably still come in as long as it isn't from some distant area or something.

 

[vi3t1uv]

Well that's a bigger question. It all depends on the bands you listen to most and which ones you're most interested in. There's really nothing that will get everything perfectly. Typically you have to make some kind of sacrifice. If VHF is your thing, I'd go with a 5/8 wave tuned to whatever your fave freq or band is, or if you have multiple, then put it in the middle. Like if you listen to 150-170, then put it at 160. If you also listen to 800 stuff or something, it will probably still come in as long as it isn't from some distant area or something.

Thanks for the reply, i do most of local scanning 150-170. So i need to get the 5/8? Not sure which particular one ? Can you elaborate a little bit more, like which specific model or brand i should need to look for? Sorry for being noob, i'm new to these kind of things. I'm looking into the RS magnet mount, is that ok for vehicle daily usage?

 

[W6KRU]

Google for "larsen nmo 150b". That is a basic 5/8 wave antenna that works well. Be aware that you have to buy a proper mount for it as well. That could mean drilling a 3/4" hole and using a proper NMO mount or a mag mount. Drilling a hole and using the regular mount is the best answer but some people aren't comfortable with that.

 

[prcguy]

I found a 5/8 VHF mobile (Larsen, Maxrad,etc) is too narrow band to cover 150-170MHz. With a 5/8 cut for 2m, its way down in level on the 162MHz weather channels compared to a 1/4 wave also cut for 2m. The weather channels are full quieting on the 1/4 wave and almost in the noise on the 5/8. Within the 2m band the 5/8 is slightly better than the 1/4 wave. Bottom line, any additional gain you will get using a dedicated 5/8 wave antenna will be across a very narrow range.
prcguy

 

[vi3t1uv]

Google for "larsen nmo 150b". That is a basic 5/8 wave antenna that works well. Be aware that you have to buy a proper mount for it as well. That could mean drilling a 3/4" hole and using a proper NMO mount or a mag mount. Drilling a hole and using the regular mount is the best answer but some people aren't comfortable with that.

Hi guys, thanks for the advice. Now how is the Larsen NMO 150b compared to this one:
http://www.cheapham.com/LAR-NMO-150-450-800.html

 

[W6KRU]

Hi guys, thanks for the advice. Now how is the Larsen NMO 150b compared to this one:
http://www.cheapham.com/LAR-NMO-150-450-800.html

The tri-band you have listed would be a better antenna for a scanner.

 

[vi3t1uv]

The tri-band you have listed would be a better antenna for a scanner.

Thank you, i think i will go with that.