Wilson Y881 Super-Gainer handheld Antenna

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Napalm

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It sounds like it's the same as the Watson W881 Super-Gainer.

Reasonable performer, bit long though, and unless you're using it on a BNC socketted radio, I wouldn't use it on an SMA to BNC adaptor.
 

sony

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Napalm said:
It sounds like it's the same as the Watson W881 Super-Gainer.

Reasonable performer, bit long though, and unless you're using it on a BNC socketted radio, I wouldn't use it on an SMA to BNC adaptor.
Perhaps that is what the name is Watson as I get the two names mixed up. What is wrong using it on BNC connected handheld? Just about all radios are BNC connected.
 

timmer

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I have one of those antennas and it is a bit long, but it is a good performer. It made a heck of a diffrence from the standard rubber duck on my pro-97. I was getting hits on signal stalker using the watson that were not even breaking the squelch with the standard rubber duck that comes with it.
 

sony

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timmer said:
I have one of those antennas and it is a bit long, but it is a good performer. It made a heck of a diffrence from the standard rubber duck on my pro-97. I was getting hits on signal stalker using the watson that were not even breaking the squelch with the standard rubber duck that comes with it.
I'm also using it on a Pro-97 the Silver handheld. I was told it is the best as far as handheld antennas go.
 

Napalm

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stingray427 said:
Perhaps that is what the name is Watson as I get the two names mixed up. What is wrong using it on BNC connected handheld? Just about all radios are BNC connected.

No I meant theres no problem if your radio has a BNC, but if like most of the newer handhelds yours has an SMA, I wouldn't use it on an adaptor.
 

sony

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Napalm said:
No I meant theres no problem if your radio has a BNC, but if like most of the newer handhelds yours has an SMA, I wouldn't use it on an adaptor.
I see... I just plug it directly into pro-97.
 

sony

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It costs about $45.00 I believe it is the most expensive hand held antenna. Does anyone know what makes this antenna so much more expensive or better than the rubber duck antenna?
 

timmer

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Not exactly sure, but all of the Watson antennas seem to be very pricey. I also have the Watson # ?? (I can't remember the number, but it is specially designed for vhf and uhf aircraft bands). It does pretty well, but I've seen several comments about the Maldol AH 500 (I think) not for sure on the model #. It apparently is about the best habdheld antenna for vhf/uhf aircraft bands. It is also pretty expensive. All of these specially made antennas are fairly pricey.
 

sony

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timmer said:
Not exactly sure, but all of the Watson antennas seem to be very pricey. I also have the Watson # ?? (I can't remember the number, but it is specially designed for vhf and uhf aircraft bands). It does pretty well, but I've seen several comments about the Maldol AH 500 (I think) not for sure on the model #. It apparently is about the best habdheld antenna for vhf/uhf aircraft bands. It is also pretty expensive. All of these specially made antennas are fairly pricey.

I tried doing a comparison between the rubber duck antenna that came with handheld scanner inside car vs. Wilson Y-881 Super Gainer antenna and at one point it was hard to tell the difference..
 

GTO_04

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It's very good on VHF, but not so good on 800. If you listen primarily yo 800 MHz you are better off with the RS 800 with the adapter.

GTO_04
 

FLA2760

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It's very good on VHF, but not so good on 800. If you listen primarily yo 800 MHz you are better off with the RS 800 with the adapter.

GTO_04

That is correct. I have both, and the Watson shines on VHF and the RS 800 MHz is very good for trunked system monitoring.
 

DogBone384

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I have the SMA version of this antenna. It works great on my 396XT & Pro-137. I got it from Scannermaster.com for around $35.
 
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