Seeking Antenna Recommendations

x1sspic · Post by **x1sspic** » Sat May 03, 2003 5:46 am

Hello,

I currently have a cheap Radial-Larsen mag-mount dualband antenna. It has served me well for almost a year, though after the upstate NY winter it has started to show rust/paint flaking. I see this as a good excuse as any to go ahead and get another antenna

I would like to get an NMO style antenna that I will eventually do a full NMO mount install on. For the time being, however - can anyone recommend a great magnet mount NMO adaptor? I do a lot of highway driving, and am looking for something that has some heft to it and with an appropriate profile so as not to be easily moved. The RL that I have now has such a low profile that this hasn't been a problem. My cheap radioshack scanner antenna on the other hand...... that blew off in a heck of a wind gust..... Oh yeah, I need the Motorola style UHF adaptor on the end (can't recall the actual name for it off the top of my head - the non-BNC type plug..)

My next request for advice is on the actual antenna itself. Can anyone recommend a dualband (VHFhi/UHF) NMO style antenna that they have been really pleased with or have heard good reviews about? I must admit I don't really know much about antennas, other than the recent post recommending Antennex or Comtelco. I would like another step further, and an actual recommendation for a specific model, if possible. Most of my use is on the VHF end, though I need something with good UHF performance as well. Has anyone had any experience with the Niljon Super M mobile? I've heard good things about them - I'm just not sure if I want something that looks like that - though if it trully performs as well as they claim, then maybe I'll just get one.

Anyways, thanks in advance Batlabs! This board is a great place to look for help when you need it!

Scott

F1118 · Post by **F1118** » Sat May 03, 2003 10:32 am

Look at some maxrad antennas...I like those, you can view them and all the specs at maxrad.com and you can purchase through a dealer such as http://www.randl.com

JAYMZ · Post by **JAYMZ** » Sat May 03, 2003 12:33 pm

I have the maxrad cell look alike dual bander. The antenna sucks. Looked good but that was it. Put it on a meter with my radio and it reflected most of my output power back.... Put the Larsen back on the car and it works perfectly.

F1118 · Post by **F1118** » Sat May 03, 2003 1:01 pm

I have the maxrad cellular lookalike antenna (dual band) . . . Its on my icom2100h 2 meter and it seems to work fine...haven't tried it on 440 yet but vhf seems to be doing ok....I havent tested it with a meter either but it seems ok.

Post by **Code3Response** » Sat May 03, 2003 1:23 pm

I carry both hefty magnetic mount antenna NMO bases as well as dual band antennas - contact me if you need any!

wa2zdy · Post by **wa2zdy** » Sat May 03, 2003 2:13 pm

There's nothing wrong with Larsen. I've used them since forever and keep using them. The dual band antennas are a compromise of sorts and I no longer use any, but the Larsen variety is as good as any other.

If the one you have served you well, I'd say they've earned your repeat business, no?

x1sspic · Post by **x1sspic** » Sun May 04, 2003 5:42 am

Good point! Anyone with experience with the Niljon Super-M? I'm curious if it is a little better for dualband operation given its unique design?