APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

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sjxts3000
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APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

Post by sjxts3000 »

Any other options out there for UHF1/VHF dual band antennas for the APX 7000 that are shorter than the OEM UHF1/VHF/GPS unit? If I don't need the GPS feature, does that allow me any more options for a shorter antenna? I know there's a shorter UHF2 antenna and a shorter VHF antenna, but I need a dual-band unit.
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N4DES
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Re: APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

Post by N4DES »

sjxts3000 wrote:Any other options out there for UHF1/VHF dual band antennas for the APX 7000 that are shorter than the OEM UHF1/VHF/GPS unit? If I don't need the GPS feature, does that allow me any more options for a shorter antenna? I know there's a shorter UHF2 antenna and a shorter VHF antenna, but I need a dual-band unit.
I have seem some that have inserted a short barrel SMA into the antenna connector and then have used an amateur grade dual-band antenna on the top of the radio. They claim that is works fine, but personally I prefer the OEM even if it is a pain in the armpit as I don't think anyone has figured out the impedance of the antenna base, or at least I haven't seen any postings on it.

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Re: APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

Post by resqguy911 »

Get yourself a Thales Liberty antenna!
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rc50won
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Re: APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

Post by rc50won »

resqguy911 wrote:Get yourself a Thales Liberty antenna!
As long as the radio comes with it!

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Tom in D.C.
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Re: APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

Post by Tom in D.C. »

No, on the contrary, get yourself a Wouxsun dual band HT antenna. Fits the APX perfectly and there's no SMA adapter needed. Works great, too.

For decent VHF operation you're sort of stuck with a longer antenna no matter what, I've found.
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tvsjr
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Re: APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

Post by tvsjr »

Or - accept the fact that making an antenna that receives well on 3 bands, transmits well on 2, and is compact is simply not possible.
sjxts3000
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Re: APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

Post by sjxts3000 »

So I ordered one of the Wouxun antennas (about $13 and change shipped from China on flea-bay). I'll give it a try. The Wouxun KG-UVD1P radio says the antenna is high gain 50Ω.
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rc50won
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Re: APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

Post by rc50won »

The stock Wouxon antenna has very poor VHF coverage. Even the guy at Wouxon.US admitted that so he went out and found a replacement antenna which he now sells for $12.95 on his site.

http://www.wouxun.us/item.php?item_id=2 ... gory_id=47
It's called the Improved Antenna for Baofeng UV-5R/UV-5RC.

I have been using one for 2 weeks and have found that it's performance is on par with the stock Motorola antenna. It's 1.5" shorter and is much slimmer.

Marshall
caprice96
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Re: APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

Post by caprice96 »

Also have to agree with the Thales Liberty antenna, its the way to go if you can get one
sjxts3000
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Re: APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

Post by sjxts3000 »

Just revisiting this topic...
So the MOTOTRBO PMAD4068 VHF+GPS antenna has a stubby counterpart (PMAD4094) which is just VHF only (no GPS) and is almost 3 inches shorter. I use both those on an XTS5000 VHF with no real noticeable RF performance.

Just wondering if anyone knows if the big M will produce a non-GPS version of the current U/V/GPS antenna for the APX 7000? (specifically, UHF1/VHF)
On a standard APX7000, the current U/V/GPS antenna is a pain in the armpit and if I don't use GPS, it sure would be nice to have a slightly shorter antenna (even if 2 inches) that gives up the GPS feature that I never use (I have it "OFF" in the radio).

I've looked at other units (wouxun, Thales, etc) and they are still as long or (if shorter), not good build quality, durability, or RF performance (i.e. wouxun has good UHF performance, but not as good VHF).

Seems like the need for such an antenna is a no-brainer.
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Re: APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

Post by Pj »

FAF5259A ASSY,ANT,UHF R1 380-470,GPS 9.3CM 1/4 WAVE ~ $45
NAF5085A 700/800/GPS ~ $34
NAG4000A GPS Stubby ~ $14
NAR6593A VHF/GPS ~ $29
NAR6594A VHF/700/800/GPS ~ $56
NAR6595A 700/800 Stubby ~ $22
PMAE4065A UHF 380-520/GPS ~ $16
PMAS4000A UHF 380-520/700/800/GPS ~ $24 (don't know the difference)
PMAS4001A UHF 380-520/700/800/GPS ~ $24 (don't know the difference)
PMAT4001A VHF/UHF 380-520/GPS ~ $33
PMAT4005A VHF/UHF 440-470/GPS ~ $56
PMAF4002A APX 7000 700/800MHZ PSM ANTENNA ~ $9

Those are listed for the APX on MOL.
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sjxts3000
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Re: APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

Post by sjxts3000 »

Pj wrote:FAF5259A ASSY,ANT,UHF R1 380-470,GPS 9.3CM 1/4 WAVE ~ $45
NAF5085A 700/800/GPS ~ $34
NAG4000A GPS Stubby ~ $14
NAR6593A VHF/GPS ~ $29
NAR6594A VHF/700/800/GPS ~ $56
NAR6595A 700/800 Stubby ~ $22
PMAE4065A UHF 380-520/GPS ~ $16
PMAS4000A UHF 380-520/700/800/GPS ~ $24 (don't know the difference)
PMAS4001A UHF 380-520/700/800/GPS ~ $24 (don't know the difference)
PMAT4001A VHF/UHF 380-520/GPS ~ $33
PMAT4005A VHF/UHF 440-470/GPS ~ $56
PMAF4002A APX 7000 700/800MHZ PSM ANTENNA ~ $9

Those are listed for the APX on MOL.
Thanks, Pj.
Can you or anyone confirm is the PMAT4005A is shorter or longer than the PMAT4001A?
BTW, I can't even find anything on that 4005 unit. Does it even exist?
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N4DES
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Re: APX 7000 UHF1/VHF antenna

Post by N4DES »

This is the posted band split on MOL for the 4005 - VHF (156-174) UHF (440-470) GPS
Doesn't look good for the VHF ham bands.
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