Need recomendation on a good mobile scanner antenna

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 2:45 pm

I am finally out of ways to salvage my old ones and out of options for mounting. I've tried the glass mount, it sucked. I put my big Antenna Specialists whip on the glass mount stud, worked ok for about 2 weeks then the adhesive let go. I'm going to have to do another NMO mount somewhere, probably off an L-Bracket on the passenger side front fender.

Anyway, I want the best one I can get because I am in an RF black hole. Mainly looking for low band and UHF performance. Who's had good experiences with what? I've been using one from Antenna Specialists and it was good but I want to know if there is anything better.

Thanks!

Post by **Code3Response** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 2:52 pm

What type of vehicle is it again Matt? Dont remember you ever mentioning it. Thanks

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 3:03 pm

I knew I forgot something

Ford Ranger pickup truck. I will most likely be a hood lip / fender L-Bracket mount. I'd love to put it on the roof but the parking garage at work thinks otherwise.

W4KRR · Post by **W4KRR** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 3:10 pm

You mentioned VHF low band, so you need something fairly long. I have had good luck with the Antenna Specialists MONR53. It covers 30-1000 MHz, and works better on low band than most other scanner antennas because it's longer than most others. I have heard that the Austin Spectra is also good, but I have never used one myself. I have heard that it isn't as good as the A/S on low band.

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 3:14 pm

I don't even know what model the A/S I had before was. It was fairly long, had a small base (not sure if it was a coil), a middle coil, and a little 800Mhz "thing" on the bottom section.

W4KRR · Post by **W4KRR** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 4:59 pm

It was fairly long, had a small base (not sure if it was a coil), a middle coil, and a little 800Mhz "thing" on the bottom section

Yep, that's the MONR53, this is the NMO mount version. They also have a trunk lip version. The 800 MHz thing is what they call an 800 MHz "choke".

EKS · Post by **EKS** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 5:11 pm

When I had my ranger I had a dualband diamond antenna mounted off the drivers side bed rail. I used a trunk lip mount that was fully adjustable, and tightened it down on the bottom of the bed rail. Later I added a backrack to the truck, and I moved the antenna mount to one of the mounting brackets that attached to the bed rail.

I've since traded the truck in, but I kept the backrack. I figured I would try mounting it on the sporttrac I got, but it doesn't fit.

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 5:38 pm

W4KRR wrote:
It was fairly long, had a small base (not sure if it was a coil), a middle coil, and a little 800Mhz "thing" on the bottom section
Yep, that's the MONR53, this is the NMO mount version. They also have a trunk lip version. The 800 MHz thing is what they call an 800 MHz "choke".

I still prefer to call it "The 800Mhz Thing"

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 5:47 pm

The Hustler Scanner ants Have always worked awsome for me real Good on low band all thw way up real good 100%

motastro1 · Post by **motastro1** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 6:39 pm

If your having problems with recieving on your scanner I got a scanner booster from Scanner World.This is one of the best things I have ever bought for a scanner.The specs say 25db gain and work on all kinds of scanners.This works wonders for reception on the mobile scanner I have.

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Sun Oct 12, 2003 6:49 pm

25dB boost on an 8 foot long piece of coax?? I would think that would cause more overload than improvement??? Plus, where would you put it? I would want it as close as possible to the antenna which is kinda tough if that place is under the hood.

I like the idea, but I don't want to roast the reciever.