Which VHF antenna do you use?

MrSmartNet · Post by **MrSmartNet** » Mon Nov 28, 2005 11:34 pm

I have a XTS5000 VHF, and use it mostly for ham purposes, but also for local public safety agencies... at any rate, which antenna do you use?

I currently have the solid one that is basicly the same width all the way up the antenna... which is best? what are the differences?

mr.syntrx · Post by **mr.syntrx** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 12:39 am

The wideband VHF antenna (I think it is NAD6563) is the best portable VHF antenna I have ever had the pleasure of using - it's the one with a fat base, that tapers off to a point from about half way up.

The wideband antenna is designed to cover the full band, and I believe it does so with close to unity gain all the way.

Post by Pj » Tue Nov 29, 2005 1:32 am

I 2nd the wideband antanna. The "narrow band" vhf antenna's really cut off outside their rated splits. Can't beat 136-174 with one antenna (other than lenght).

MrSmartNet · Post by **MrSmartNet** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:23 am

I'm going to see if the local radio shop has this antenna today, what does it typically run?

mr.syntrx · Post by **mr.syntrx** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 5:49 am

It's pretty cheap. I think mine was like $20, but I can't remember now.

MrSmartNet · Post by **MrSmartNet** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 6:00 am

Good deal, thanks... What is a good VHF antenna for a public safety mic?

MTS2000des · Post by **MTS2000des** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 6:55 am

The Visar antennas work okay on the PSM's, the only problem is no wideband one's exists, they come in three splits:

136-150
150-162
162-174

The last I priced them they 15-18 dollars a piece at your favorite place on Field parkway, I think they stock the mid split ones as they are used by several metro atlanta (who still use VHF) p.s. agencies.

Then there are the centurion antennas but they don't have that factory Motorola look.

FYI your favorite MSS does stock the wideband antenna, same one used on the Jedi's....last I bought one over a year ago they were charging like 22.00
It worked very well on my VHF MTS2000's.

Post by **Mfire39** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 7:39 am

Long wideband all the way. We have them on all of our 50+ Jedi HT/MT's at the fire dept, with nothing but good to say about the coverage. I also have them on my personal XTS5000R, and I love it.

-Marc

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:19 am

MrSmartNet wrote:Good deal, thanks... What is a good VHF antenna for a public safety mic?

Mother Moto doesn't recommend sticking a VHF antenna on a public safety mic, as the antennas are simply too long. Usually, you only see PS mics in use for 800, and maybe UHF.

RadioSouth · Post by **RadioSouth** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 8:22 am

Yup, for best performance I agree the wideband works the best. The one downside is that it puts more torque on the radios antenna connection when any side force is placed on the antenna. The bottom section of this antenna is a metal sleeve and doesn't budge. For use in high signal areas
the Visar antenna works well and is low profile long as you don't need to stray much out of the antenna's bandwith.

MrSmartNet · Post by **MrSmartNet** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 10:13 am

Ok, check this out, I just talked to diversified, who had to look it up for 20 minutes, then they gave me a new part number for it:
8505518V01. Which of course they do not stock.

Then I called Bearcom, and they first told me I was out of my mind, then they came back with this part number:
8505241U05

He said he has that one in stock, and so I confirmed "widebang VHF right?" and he said "well no, you see, its wideband UHF so it doesn't matter, it'll work just fine with VHF"

Ok, obviously thats not it.

He then went on to say that the HT1000 antennas will not work on XTS and MTS model radios. Idiot...

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:57 am

The brilliant individuals at Bearcom gave you the Heliflex UHF part number.

Motorola wrote: 8505518V01
Heliflex Antenna, VHF Band, Helical 136-174 MHz
Heliflex antennas are specifically engineered for maximum output and greatest communication coverage.
ANT VHF WIDEBAND

That's the part number, it's current, it's on MOL, tell them to order one. You might suggest they disengage the brain and simply type in that number. For many MSSs, thinking too much can be dangerous.

Post by **Mfire39** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 11:59 am

8505518V01

Heliflex Antenna, VHF Band, Helical 136-174 MHz

ANT VHF WIDEBAND

Available List price

Y 24.00

-Marc

MrSmartNet · Post by **MrSmartNet** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 12:11 pm

Excellent, well at least Diversified gave me the right part number. And unlike bearcom they didn't suggest I use a UHF antenna with a VHF radio.

I'm looking around for other local places that may actually stock it...

MTS2000des · Post by **MTS2000des** » Tue Nov 29, 2005 1:13 pm

typical Bearcom. I just got through dealing with their corporate office. speaking of antennas, I bought an F3S antenna for an Icom, didn't need it, returned it two days later. No problem...well the morons never credited my Visa card. I called four times, sent three emails. The idiots in the Atlanta (Marietta) office are incompetent hands down. Amazing they actually stay in business...(not like there are any customers there anyway)...well today I called Dallas and they immediately credited my card. It could have taken two minutes but the people in the Marietta office are retards and probabbly druel all over the keyboards so they never did. Who knows, whatever. I am through dealing with them.

Parham check with Atlanta Communications you may have to drive to Huber street but they might have it. They are excellent too. I kinda amazed that DEI didn't have any in stock I guess with everyone around here going to this 800 crap they don't keep much of the old stuff in house. They unlike Bearcom will usually get it within 2 days if the parts order is made by 3PM.