Will this Antenex Phantom antenna work with this mount for my application?

[AggiePhil]

I'm considering using this Antenex TRAB8213 Phantom antenna to scan 800 in my town. One of the main reasons that I like the looks of this antenna is because it has a 3 dB gain (which I assume means that it amplifies the transmissions some more than normal?). This would be great because right now, the "volume" of transmissions in my city seems pretty weak on the scanner using the RadioShack 800 Mhz rubber duck.

Anyway, I'm wondering if this antenna will work well mounted to the hood of my truck (don't have a trunk) with a lip mount? Also, the freq range listed for this antenna is 821-896. Is this the range I should get (I see that there are a few different antennas very similar to this one, but with slightly different ranges)? Here are the main frequencies that I will be scanning (Motorola Type II trunked):

856.43750
856.76250 (alternate control)
857.43750 (primary control)
866.27500
866.62500
867.27500
868.50000
868.75000

Alright, thanks everybody!

Link to antenna specs: http://www.antenex.com/c_search.asp...mily=700+MHz+to+2.4+GHz+3+dB-MEG+BLACK+MODELS

 

[N_Jay]

Gain does not make the signal "louder" (help with volume).

If the signal is a bit staticy or scratchy, 3 dB might make a very slight difference.

Some people swear by those antennas.
I have never used one.

The best thing going for 800 MHz is an elevated feed 3 dB.

 

[LarrySC]

I use the same ant by MAXRAD on my truck. I started using it on an "800 only" scanner. Did not work as well as my 23" 5db gain so I connected it to my Cellular 3 watt stright wired analog bag phone. Works fine for that. The local police use these on their 800 digital system. After hearing them trying to transmit out of low places in the city I think they also should use the 23" 5db gain. The antenna looks good and will go thru a car wash. If you just use it in a metro area then you should like it. Good Luck.

 

[AggiePhil]

Could y'all answer my question about lip mounting one to the hood instead of the trunk? Again, I have no trunk.

See, the problem is that I'd love to put a whip on the roof, but my truck is already huge and barely clears overhangs as-is. Any real length of antenna would make it impossible. But then I thought about a hood mount, and this little antenna would be inconspicuous there. Anyway, could you mount this 23" 5 db gain antenna to the hood? Got any links to this antenna? Thanks.

 

[kf4lne]

I would lip mount a good elevated feed 800mhz antenna to the hood.

 

[AggiePhil]

I would lip mount a good elevated feed 800mhz antenna to the hood.

Come on man, you can't just leave it at that. Gimme a link to where I can buy what you're talking about, or at least a namebrand and model number. I'm new to this for crying out loud. LOL.

 

[kf4lne]

Ok, I don't know where to buy it, but i am sure your local motorola shop can get it, its an AS ASP912B, its an NMO mouned elevated feed 3db gain antenna with a BNC connector included. I suggest this antenna because I have had WONDERFUL results with the AS antennas, in fact I have used one of the Mosaic series antennas on my car for use with 2 meter amateur radio for 10 years and its still performing as it did when i bought it. I have gone through several motorolas and several antennex antennas over the same 10 years, but my AS antenna has held up longer than the rest.

 

[red8]

antenna specialist they do make pretty good equipment. that's odd
because I have the Radio Shack 800mhz antenna on my 396 and I
have gotten exceptional service with it on 800 in my car.

 

[mcema699]

For $12.99+shipping, you can get a mag mount like RS sold, see below. No offense, don't really want to sell mine at this point.

See the sites below, as well as many others. The bracket page is the most complete I've seen for hood, etc.

I wouldn't spend $60 for the antenna you suggest. Its going to be WAY below roof level and most of the signal will be blocked out. Reception won't be much better than the rubber duck.

http://www.westcoastmall.net/shop/product_info.php?products_id=1841
Iwindow)
http://www.westcoastmall.net/shop/product_info.php?products_id=1625
(Magnet)
http://www.westcoastmall.net/shop/product_info.php?products_id=543
(Brackets for hood)
http://www.westcoastmall.net/shop/default.php?cPath=21_94_97

 

[AggiePhil]

I use the same ant by MAXRAD on my truck. I started using it on an "800 only" scanner. Did not work as well as my 23" 5db gain so I connected it to my Cellular 3 watt stright wired analog bag phone. Works fine for that. The local police use these on their 800 digital system. After hearing them trying to transmit out of low places in the city I think they also should use the 23" 5db gain. The antenna looks good and will go thru a car wash. If you just use it in a metro area then you should like it. Good Luck.

Show me a link to this 23" 5 dB gain antenna please. Thanks.

 

[KT4HX]

Show me a link to this 23" 5 dB gain antenna please. Thanks.

The link to the antenna on Larry's site is: http://www.bncantenna.com/mobile.htm

At the top of the left hand column in the photo, it's the one on the right (model 2-2096).

 

[AggiePhil]

Is it OK to mount the 800 Mhz antenna right next to my car's factory radio antenna, or would they interfere in some way?

 

[AggiePhil]

http://www.westcoastmall.net/shop/default.php?cPath=21_94_97

OK, I'm not familiar with NMO mounts, just coax CB radio mounts. Will a bracket like this accept a NMO mount?

 

[kf4lne]

the BTBG34 will, but you can get those for like $2 from the local comm shop. Typical 3/8x24 thread "CB" style mounts will not accept a NMO mount, an NMO mount is designed to fit a 3/4 inch hole in either the sheet metal roof of the car or a "L" bracket designed for it. I have 2 of these type of "L" bracketed mounts on the trunk of my car for use with scanners and they perform great. personally i wouldn't spend the money some of these websites want for an antenna that will work great. I paid ~$13 for a whole antenna kit at the motorola shop when i could have got the same thing in another brand for around $40+shipping online. Like i said, check the local comm shop, look in the yellow pages under "Two Way Radio" and look for an ad with the big /\/\otorola batwings and see if they can get you an antenna that will do what you want.

 

[Chrome69]

I'm considering using this Antenex TRAB8213 Phantom antenna to scan 800 in my town. One of the main reasons that I like the looks of this antenna is because it has a 3 dB gain (which I assume means that it amplifies the transmissions some more than normal?). This would be great because right now, the "volume" of transmissions in my city seems pretty weak on the scanner using the RadioShack 800 Mhz rubber duck.

Anyway, I'm wondering if this antenna will work well mounted to the hood of my truck (don't have a trunk) with a lip mount? Also, the freq range listed for this antenna is 821-896. Is this the range I should get (I see that there are a few different antennas very similar to this one, but with slightly different ranges)? Here are the main frequencies that I will be scanning (Motorola Type II trunked):

856.43750
856.76250 (alternate control)
857.43750 (primary control)
866.27500
866.62500
867.27500
868.50000
868.75000

Alright, thanks everybody!

Link to antenna specs: http://www.antenex.com/c_search.asp...mily=700+MHz+to+2.4+GHz+3+dB-MEG+BLACK+MODELS

http://www.antenex.com/c_search.asp...Family=MTM&txtSubFamily=MINI-TRUNK+LID+MOUNTS

thats what i use on mine......works great

 

[HT-220]

mine works great mounted inside rear window.