Which UHF low profile antenna would you go with ??

[MT2000 man]

Good day everyone !

I'm about to have a Spectra analog A7 remote mount UHF radio (440-470MHZ, most of the frequencies that are RX and TX will in the 460MHZ range) installed. It will be going in a 2007 CVPI.
Which low profile antenna would you go with ?
I'm torn between the "shark-fin" model by Antenex (the Phantom Elite):

http://salestores.com/antene176.html


Or the "hockey puck" design by Comtelco here:

http://www.comtelcoantennas.com/PDF%20D ... A2543B.pdf


Any input would be greatly appreciated. The mobile will be used for RX 90% of the time.

Thanks !

[Pj]

Actually, I'd go to lentini's and get the comtelco 130-960 antenna's they restocked there with the spring. Awesome performance so far when you cut it down.

Last I played, I got about the same performance out of both, but don't plan them being super steller. I'd lean towards a lowprofile puck only because its slower to the metal the the plastic of the fin that could snag on something.

Then again, I drive a truck so..

[MT2000 man]

Thanks for the reference PJ !
Looks like I'll be giving Lentini's a call tomorrow ! I live about 20 minutes away from them.

[Pj]

I ordered a couple and he restocked the store with 5 or 6 of the antenna's and should have a couple of them left. Left at decent VHF lenghts, they work great thru a triplexler on V/U/8.

Should be this one: http://www.comtelcoantennas.com/PDF%20D ... /A1501.pdf

[Bill_G]

Reports from my customers experienced with UHF 1/4 wave and 3db gain whips is -
shark fins - thumbs down
hockey puck - so so
salt shaker - thumbs up
pie pan - thumbs up

[FireCpt809]

I run a phantom elite and have had good luck with it. The regualr salt shaker style is about the same.

[JeffFireRadio]

Hate to jump into the discussion late....

You didn't say whether the Spectra was a mid-power or high-power unit. You should be okay with any of the antennas these guys have recommended if it's a mid-power radio. Just be careful if you are using a high power one. Some/most of the low profile antennas have an output power limitation of around 40-50 watts. Just read the specs on any proposed antenna you're looking at before buying. Good luck!

[MT2000 man]

Hate to jump into the discussion late....

You didn't say whether the Spectra was a mid-power or high-power unit. You should be okay with any of the antennas these guys have recommended if it's a mid-power radio. Just be careful if you are using a high power one. Some/most of the low profile antennas have an output power limitation of around 40-50 watts. Just read the specs on any proposed antenna you're looking at before buying. Good luck!

Sorry, forgot to mention. The Spectra is a 110 Watt unit. I have the TX set for 95 watts out.

[FireCpt809]

The low profile will handle about 60w The phantom Elite shark fin will take 150w UHF

[Tom in D.C.]

Problem I found a long time ago with the salt shakers was that on VHF their bandwidth was only about 1 (that's ONE) mhz. I see that Comtelco now claims 10 mHz on UHF which ain't too bad, but on VHF it's obvious that there's no free lunch, as they say. I'm going to try one of the Comtelco A2543Bs on my Subaru's roof NMO and see how it does since virtually all of the transmitting I do on my Icom 208 is UHF and it'll probably hear fine on VHF as well with the UHF antenna.

Any time you're considering a "funny" antenna for mobile be certain you triple-check the bandwidth for the unit. In the current Tessco listings they tell you everything about the antenna EXCEPT the bandwidth.

[tvsjr]

And never trust the bandwidth in the specs without measuring... that's given in lab conditions with a perfect ground plane.

The 1MHz-bandwidth VHF antennas typically aren't - more like 500KHz for 1.5:1. The 10MHz UHFs typically are 6-7MHz.

At least, that's been my first-hand experience, as measured with my NetTek.

[Bill_G]

I have a sample Larsen VHF low profile that has a warning in HUGE letters stating you must tune antenna in low power mode or it will be damaged. The Anritsu shows it has very tight skirts for an antenna.

[Will]

I use the Comtelco A1501 and cut for 450 MHz and get the commercial band + ham band. This antenna is truly broadband and very low SWR.

http://www.comtelcoantennas.com/PDF%20D ... /A1501.pdf

The other is a Motorola NMO 1/4 wave with a 1/8 " diameter rod.

[MT2000 man]

Well, I thank you everyone for your responses.
I just ordered the Comtelco "puck" style antenna. We shall see how it handles. They said I should get it in 2-3 days (probably mid next week sometime).

[MT2000 man]

Just a quick update, curiocity just overtook itself, and I ordered BOTH the "Shark fin" Phantom antenna by Antenex, AND the Comtelco puck style antenna as well. Figured I'd give both a try, and see which one I like better. The other I will sell on the FS Fourm here. The Comtelco just arrived today, and I've had the Phantom for about two days now. I think I'm going to like the Comtelco a little better, we shall see.


Thanks guys !

Mike