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Actually I think the one I have is the Maxrad BMAXSCAN1000 and it works very well on all bands except VHF low. I have had it on my car for over 10 years and it is holding up very well. It has an NMO mount. I purchased it locally from a place now out of business. :(

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" SILENCE IS CONSENT "

Made to Government Specs:
1) Measured with a micrometer.
2) Marked with a chalk.
3) Cut with an axe.

Jim N7UAP - Bellingham, WA / InterceptRadio.com

Well, once Brian put the NMO hole in the roof of the Speed Wagon, I improved rx capability drastically. It's awesome on VHF high, as evidenced by hearing WSP ground units working with one of the WSP 'Smokey' Cessnas from approx 60 miles away (Eastern WA). 800 signals get overpowered, so I've taken to running with the attenuator on when I'm doing 800 stuff mobile.

Would I buy one again? YES.
Am I satisfied? YES.

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President-in-Exile, Seattle Area Radio Communications And Scanner Traffic Intercept Crew (SARCASTIC)
Don't feel bad if you can't use your STD100/200; there are still people using Digital Frequency Search!
Bunnery definition for the under-fives

Sweet. How does it work for air band? I may have to try one. Right now, I just have the 866Mhz 1/4 whip for Trunking. It does work decently for air however, but I'm sure the Comtelco would improve Rx a bit.

I'm finding likewise results. I haven't tried it on any else besides VHF but even that seems to be doing really well.



My school is right across from the airport (backside of green building is the runway) so I'll take a listen to air stuff and let you know. The quarter wave Maxrad I had up there actually did well with Air stuff, we'll give this a shot.

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Interoperability is an attitude, not a technology.

Bumpedy bump.

There's a new Dual Band Antenna Comparison page that I made. Also worth looking at is Rich's Mobile Antenna Comparison (no TX).

Note the A1131 mentioned in this thread has 12 permutations depending on which bandsplit you want, color ("brite" or black) and spring. All the options are fully explained here.

Who knows what ScannerMaster is selling; they don't list a range and their site lists it two inches shorter than Comtelco's spec sheet.

Just ordered a Laird A150/450C from Antenna Farm. Essentially the same as the Comtelco A1131-Z but an inch shorter and with better gain. It is not, however "tuned" for 800. For this application I don't need it.

Nice! :D

I like the Laird product line due to the o-ring design and "button" contact. Ive not had to go in for any antenna related issues (barring physical damage from object strikes) since we started using them. They last the life of the vehicle unlike our last models.

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"A well regulated breakfast, being necessary to the healthy start of the day, the right of the people to keep and eat food shall not be infringed."

I picked up the Laird scanner antenna and it looks identical to the Comtelco. Scannermaster has the Comtelco back in stock at $40.

If you're not picky about color then the chrome version of the Laird scanner antenna is only $20.

http://www.wpsantennas.com/ascanc-anten ... hrome.aspx

This is a Rx antenna only.

Not to run this thread even further from the original topic, but I just got one of these. It's a Laird WPD136M6C-001 tri-band antenna. I believe this is the antenna that Harris is using for their multi-band radios for the State of Oregon radio project. The antenna is specified 136-174/380-520/760-870 MHz. I've been using it on a variety of systems down here in Portland and it seems to do a great job on VHF & 700/800. It's pricey, though - about $90 on line...

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Chris Parris
Federal Wavelengths columnist
The Spectrum Monitor Magazine
chrisparris@thefedfiles.com

Just be careful with that Laird... It is not very flexible, even with the spring. Plus its base is 2.5" or bigger.. It will rip a nice big whole in your roof :oops:

Yes, it's pretty stiff - I think the spring is just for show. I have it on a temporary mount on the rear of the vehicle, so hopefully the mounting will give away before the antenna! :-)

_________________
--
Chris Parris
Federal Wavelengths columnist
The Spectrum Monitor Magazine
chrisparris@thefedfiles.com

Here is the info on this antenna.
The Laird that is...

http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/i ... 8b8257d5d9

_________________
" SILENCE IS CONSENT "

Made to Government Specs:
1) Measured with a micrometer.
2) Marked with a chalk.
3) Cut with an axe.

Jim N7UAP - Bellingham, WA / InterceptRadio.com

I still am very curious how they manage to sell it for $90 when *everyone* else sells it for $167. Not complaining but seems fishy to me...

That's where I got mine, and it appears to be a genuine Laird product. I jumped on it at that price, because I also noted the high $$$ of other sellers.

Chris

_________________
--
Chris Parris
Federal Wavelengths columnist
The Spectrum Monitor Magazine
chrisparris@thefedfiles.com

Yeah but if you only need a Rx antenna then don't buy that one... that is designed for Tx on all three bands -- which is why the heavy, thick base. It has (3) tuned matching coils for matching those bands.

Fail- I already bought one.

_________________
President-in-Exile, Seattle Area Radio Communications And Scanner Traffic Intercept Crew (SARCASTIC)
Don't feel bad if you can't use your STD100/200; there are still people using Digital Frequency Search!
Bunnery definition for the under-fives