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APX8000 Antenna options?

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 9:09 am
by Wg8PM4
I'm developing a bruise on my left armpit from the antenna on the APX8000. I'm exaggerating abit, but its pretty absurdly long. I have a fleet of these going into service shortly, primarily operating on UHF2 and 7/800 band. I still need to monitor VHF with *some* reliability. any other options?

I've seen NYPD use the MTS2000 style UHF whips on their APX6000's. Can the 800mhz Whip cover UHF2 as a 1/4 band? You guys are certainly the subject matter experts.

https://imgur.com/a/EwhnB

Re: APX8000 Antenna options?

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 3:47 pm
by PropellorHead
I think the issue is the work that antenna has to do. So I know for our APX's, the antenna needs to support VHF, UHF, 7/800, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. I'm not sure if you can cover all that with the skinny UHF antenna. Now if none of those things concern you, then you probably won't have an issue.

Re: APX8000 Antenna options?

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 6:33 pm
by N4DES
Did you look at the PMAS4001A antenna that is UHF/700/800? It is a tad over 7" and not that bad vs the 8" APX 8K antenna.
I don't know what the performance on VHF would be, but if you are only listening it might be worth the $30.00 gamble.

Re: APX8000 Antenna options?

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2018 6:07 pm
by NERO
I too was looking for a solution to this although I'm not sure if the antenna length bothers me enough to dump $30-50 on a different one that wont provide the coverage I need. I occasionally use a leather radio strap though if not the holster so it does not bother me too much.

Re: APX8000 Antenna options?

Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2018 10:38 am
by Wg8PM4
I ripped the outer jacket off of one of the quad band APX 8000 antennas (KT000026A01)... its insane whats inside. https://imgur.com/ZfbtZzO

The upper portion seems to be the VHF helical antenna (based on my length estimation), a spring-style UHF whip in the center of the VHF helical. the lower portion has two different sized copper wires connected to the conductor. One twice as long as the other https://imgur.com/aUnjT1c -- 7/800 and GPS?

I'm not antenna savy enough to make out this chip in the core of the lower portion: https://i.imgur.com/2Vqrsez and https://imgur.com/QquoglH.

Re: APX8000 Antenna options?

Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:59 am
by flyinace09
A bit late to the party... but the PMAT4005 antenna is meant to be the "compact" all-band that was meant to rectify that issue. I don't know why it is not listed online almost anywhere - but it is still available for order through MOL... for a small price of around $85! On the bright side - the antenna allegedly is the same height as the standard UHF antenna - so 6".

EDIT: Well I should have searched before posting... it is online through the typical resellers these days (it wasn't last time I ordered a couple), but its a V/U only antenna... my mistake.