Question: Best 800MHz. Antenna Selection for XTS Series?

[W2GLD]

I have been pondering this question for some time and perhaps someone out here has some information that could help me answer this. We have several 800MHz. XTS series radio in our department with various antennas being used. Does anyone know which one really works the best? Our radios are all on the P25 MPSCS system here in Michigan. Our antenna choices are between the "stubby" which I personally believe only works in heavily signal saturated areas, then we have the standard 800Mhz. whip antennas, a few of the 700/800MHz. whip antennas, and then there is a few of the 800MHz. rigid dipole antennas which I believe should work the best. Does anyone else have any thoughts on this topic or experience with testing in various environments???

Thanks in advance...

Jerry

[RKG]

1) As you have already learned, stay away from the helical (stubby), which does not load well.

2) I don't like the rigid antennas (colinear) because they put too much strain on the antenna connector, which is a comparatively fragile and extremely difficult to repair aspect of the Jedi series.

3) The regular 800 whip, which is basically just a length of speedometer cable encased in molded rubber, works best in our experience. They are easy on the radio, easy on the user, and cheap to replace if the rubber breaks.

[W2GLD]

Thank you for the reply. As I realize that the standard antenna is much easier on the connector, have you actually tried and done any signal comparisons on the fringe edges of your system to see if there actually is any difference???

Thanks,

Jerry

[RKG]

Only episodically; not scientifically.

[N4DES]

Whatever you do, don't use this type....

http://www.tessco.com/products/imagedis ... emID=62703

[motorola_otaku]

Whatever you do, don't use this type....

http://www.tessco.com/products/imagedis ... emID=62703

Hah, I've seen those on your guys on Cops. I always thought it was deliberate to reduce propagation so they'd vote correctly on sites or something.

While I don't play on 800, I did play on 900 (which propagates slightly worse than 800) for awhile both on a SMR system and simplex. My 100% non-scientific preference was for the long duck for wide-area single-site SMR use and the dipole for simplex work. I also tried the public safety mic, and while they do work they're understandably not appropriate for every situation.

[N4DES]

Whatever you do, don't use this type....

http://www.tessco.com/products/imagedis ... emID=62703

Hah, I've seen those on your guys on Cops. I always thought it was deliberate to reduce propagation so they'd vote correctly on sites or something.

No reason as to why other than someones bright idea and I created a policy to remove them from service.
Most of them are gone, except for a few stragglers but they are not allowed to make any complaints about coverage problems.

I did see a Broward SO deputy with that antenna stuck to the top of his MTS2000 a few weeks ago. I couldn't even imagine how bad that radio must work on his belt inside buildings.