HT1250 Antenna Question

[BMedcom]

I have a new HT1250 UHF, 450-512 mhz. I have seen on internet ads, as well as in person, people using the UHF antenna that goes on the HT1000 on the HT1250. It is the antenna that looks like it has a "ball point" pin on the top. I really like the looks of the HT1000 antenna. I am aware that they have different type connectors, but it does screw in my ht1250. So, my 2 questions are this: 1)Is there anywhere I can get an antenna that looks similar to the HT1000's for my 1250? 2) Will my HT1000 UHF antenna "work" with the ht1250, since it does screw in. I am mostly RX'ing only. I hardly ever TX. Thanks!

[Tom in D.C.]

"Different type" antenna connectors will NOT work on different type radios. The antenna connector must match the connector on the radio. There are mechanical AND electrical differences at work.

There are two types of HT antenna connectors that are common these days. One, the older type, has a single pole, meaning that the antenna is electrically one unit. The other type, used on XTS and similar radios of much later vintage, has two poles, with a hole in the center of the connector. The easy way to tell what you have or need is to look at the connector on the radio. If it has a pin in the center it's the later type; if it has no pin but just a threaded hole then it's the first type.

I believe that some Motorola HTs are still made with the older type connector, so you must be careful when you're learning about this as to what type connector is on your radio.

Sometimes the first type has a slight hole or depression in the center. Don't be misled. It's still a single-pole connector.

Having a ball on the end of the antenna doesn't mean anything. What's important is the bandsplit that the antenna was made for, which you can not usually tell just by looking at it. Best and safest way is to buy an OEM antenna whose package is clearly marked with the antenna's bandsplit. EBay is full of foreign-made junk of horrible quality; as with so many other things, you get what you pay for.

[BMedcom]

Thanks, Tom, I will stick with the "whip" antenna that came stock with my new HT1250.

[N4KVE]

Since the 800mhz & 900 mhz Waris radios use the center pin type of antenna, wouldn't it be possible to exchange the ant receptacle from the UHF 1250 with a MTX 9250, thus allowing the OP to use the Jedi series of antenna he likes in his 1250? Would this work? GARY N4KVE

[akardam]

Well, really, who cares what an antenna looks like as long as it works, eh?

You can try an old Saber UHF whip if you're really hung up on the "ball at the end of your antenna" thing...