BIG antenna recommendations

[KHill]

So I know a lot of folks use the shorter metal antennas for their VHF. Out here, things are a little fewer and further between so I was thinking more along the lines of the 4-6 foot flexible antennas. Anybody have any experience with these things, maybe one to recommend? I was thinking of mounting it to the rear in between the black trim near the glass and securing the tip to the roof rack.


Thanks,
Keith

[Bthracer21]

I dont know what antenna to recommend to you ... But if you go though some of my recent posts you can see where I mounted my LowBand antenna. I have gotten quite a few comments on it.

[2001FZ1]

What frequency are you transmitting/receiving on? You want the antenna to be 1/4 wave length. a big antenna is not necessarily a better antenna.

[KHill]

You know. I didn't even think of the resonance. Darn physics. It will be for the 800 and 900 MHz bands.

Now I just feel silly :o

[Devilz311]

800mhz, or VHF?? I don't see listings for ANY 800mhz freq's anywhere near you...

[KHill]

Wow ok I really botched this one up.

Take 2:

I am looking into large gain antennas for UHF 800 and 900 frequencies. These are emergency service frequencies mainly the fire department. I know that some of the guys at the department have antennas on their POV's but they are just for scanners or they have CB.

The radio I will probably getting is Motorola MCS 2000. I have heard good things about this radio and it has a remote mount in case I cant find a good place to put the radio.

This is more a question for the firefighters on the forum but anyone who knows is more than welcome to chime in. The reason I am asking for high gain is because the area we cover is pretty large and goes from suburban to rural very quickly with very large spaces in between.

Will I need a larger antenna, or does it really matter at these frequencies?

[Bthracer21]

Along with posting in here... There is also www.lightbarsource.com few members that are on there but not members in here (you will see alot of names over there that are on here as well but just another venue to use).

oh and I dont know the answer to your question.

[2001FZ1]

Wow ok I really botched this one up.

Take 2:

I am looking into large gain antennas for UHF 800 and 900 frequencies. These are emergency service frequencies mainly the fire department. I know that some of the guys at the department have antennas on their POV's but they are just for scanners or they have CB.

The radio I will probably getting is Motorola MCS 2000. I have heard good things about this radio and it has a remote mount in case I cant find a good place to put the radio.

This is more a question for the firefighters on the forum but anyone who knows is more than welcome to chime in. The reason I am asking for high gain is because the area we cover is pretty large and goes from suburban to rural very quickly with very large spaces in between.

Will I need a larger antenna, or does it really matter at these frequencies?

Antenna size matters. Construction of the antenaa also matters. Search for antennas that are made for your frequencies. The higher the gain, expressed in dBi, the better you will be able to recieved/transmit. You will have to make a trade off between cost, size, the way it mounts and type.

I use this one for various frequencies when using my handheld Spectrum Analyzer (FSH-6)
http://optoelectronics.stores.yahoo.net/bb85.html
It is an Optoelectronics BB85 9 inch flexible rubber duck 100MHz-2GHz Antenna.
Gain: 1.7dBi @ 144MHz
2.2dBi @ 440MHz
3.4 dBi @ 1GHz.

For about $55, its hard to beat.

EDIT: Forgot to tell you it has a BNC connection. if your radio is different, buy an adapter.

[2001FZ1]

or if cost is no problem and you want something for the house, go with this:
http://www.telogyllc.com/display_model.aspx?bm=ETS(3142C)
ETS Lindgren Model 3142C BiConiLogT Antenna ($4,700)

We use it at work for field tests. it works awesome for picking up radio stations, HDTV and FRS walkie talkie comms. it is directional, so you have to point it at your transmitting antenna.

[Uzd12]

You know. I didn't even think of the resonance. Darn physics. It will be for the 800 and 900 MHz bands.

Now I just feel silly :o

Do you know what are the exact frequency or type of system your department uses? I can look up the exact antenna you should use through the Motorola Business Support site I have access to through my station.

The 800 generally uses smaller antennas, but there are larger antennas designed for rural areas. I purchase direct from Motorola for the station, and the antennas generally run $20-$40. Hope this helps.

[Devilz311]

Is it a new 800 system? I looked it up in Radio Reference, and couldn't find any 800 systems near Corvalis.

[KHill]

They're supposed to be getting a new system on 800. Supposedly been in plans for years.... odd. I don't know why I was told to look into 800 mobiles. Anyways I called the station and they said we run on benton county fire and ems services dispatch still. They run between 154 and 157 Mhz. Hmm, my thread has changed again. I think this is the most fail I have ever posted in one thread :

@uzd: That would be awesome if you could, I suppose I'm looking for the highest dbi omni that I can fit on a car.

[Uzd12]

The antenna's most suited for your radio are below. I live in a rural County in NJ where our township is 36 square miles big, and our closet tower is in another town. We have a similar county wide dispatch system. Yours seems to be located in your town. I use the standard 1/4 antenna with a Good Ground, and I can pick up units in other Counties around the state on our Statewide Frequency.

What really counts, after purchasing a good antenna with a high gain, is your grounding. If you ground it properly, it will sound crystal clear.

A 800 MHz Antenna, 1/4 Wave, Roof Top (806-900 MHz) is in Picture 1. Motorola Part # HAF4002A

A 900 Mhz 3db Antenna is in Picture 2. It Covers the 890-960 Mhz. Section
Motorola Part # RRA4935A

[KHill]

Thanks Uzd, but thats if we get the upgrade in the near future thats been planned for years. Whats recommended for 154-157? That's what Benton county uses and we still use their dispatch regardless of how crowded it gets...

[Uzd12]

1.) RAD4010ARB (Part #) VHF Antenna, 3dB, Roof Top (136-174 MHz)

2.) HAD4008A (Part #) Low Profile VHF Antenna 152-162Mhz, 1/4 Wave, Roof Mount

The First will give you the best coverage for Rural Areas. The 2nd, which is just a standard antenna, should give you fine coverage. The basic difference is the cost. Antenna 1 costs around $50, while the 2.) costs around $15.

3080384M47 (Part #) is For a Black Trunk or Hood Lip Mount for an Antenna. Great If you dont want to drill any holes.

I have mine on the Left side of the hood, paraelle to the FM Radio Antenna

[KHill]

aha, thanks man, I owe you a beer or at least a coffee. This helps big time.

As for price, well 35 bucks to make sure I'm still on the radio map is a pretty decent cost for me.

[KHill]

update:

just snagged one on ebay for 40$ new in the tube.

Thanks again

[Uzd12]

No Problem. Glad to be of assistance.

I'm just happy to give back to this forum. I have solved so many install issues on my tb by searching here. I'll get around to posting pictures of my tb with all the equipment installed.

[KHill]

That would be cool :yes:

[Medic101]

On the topic of antennas, does anyone use the AM/FM antenna to scanner splitter for their scanner/radio? I am looking not to put an external antenna on my new TB. I have found the splitter for the AM/FM online but due to GM having a different radio plug for the stock radio, I have been told I need an adapter from GM plug to "aftermarket" radio plug. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks.

[CoyoteFireGuy]

On the topic of antennas, does anyone use the AM/FM antenna to scanner splitter for their scanner/radio? I am looking not to put an external antenna on my new TB. I have found the splitter for the AM/FM online but due to GM having a different radio plug for the stock radio, I have been told I need an adapter from GM plug to "aftermarket" radio plug. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks.

From a electronics stand point there is no reason it wouldnt work. But your reception is probably going to be horrible because your fm/am antenna is not set up to receive these kinds of signals. All antennas have a lenght that is equal to the wave length of the signal they are recieving. Your am/fm is set up to recieve between 88 and 108 mhz. were as scanner antennas are usually tuned to recieve between 20mhz and 2 or 3 ghz. It is kinda like trying to pick up the local broadcast stations on your tv when you cable goes out with a coat hanger. Yes it will work but the picture is going to be horrible. :tiphat

[Medic101]

My buddy has the splitter in his silverado and has no problems. Scanner sounds good and so does the FM reception.

[CoyoteFireGuy]

My buddy has the splitter in his silverado and has no problems. Scanner sounds good and so does the FM reception.

Are you trying to pick up VHF/UHF or 800 and up?

The vhf/uhf you will probably be ok with the 800 and up you will probably regret not just buying a scanner antenna. Radio shack offers a glass mount scanner antenna that works great, which is surprising for a glass mount. It costs $35.

[Medic101]

Looking to cover 46.0 to 160.0, with no 800 band. I really want to avoid putting an external antenna on. If I cant get the splitter to work, ill pick up a suction cup antenna to mount to the inside glass.

[CoyoteFireGuy]

Looking to cover 46.0 to 160.0, with no 800 band. I really want to avoid putting an external antenna on. If I cant get the splitter to work, ill pick up a suction cup antenna to mount to the inside glass.

If you are going for 46.0 to 160.0 then by all means use the splitter. You are the first person in a long time with the exception of about every states EMA and the Red Cross, and who can forget the national gaurd, that still uses vhf low band. If you are going for receive only then you will be fine. If you are trying to transmit, then you will need the 78" whip.