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Wil - I might have to run my SiteMaster on it. I am curious to see what the return loss looks like

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I generate Board Warnings

Well, it will it make you feel -- larger. :P :D

Sean (per the spec sheet) it should be between 11-21% return loss for a typical mobile install.

Spec sheet:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... MaO6xuj02w

Shit, for RX only, why not a MHB1520 VHF 1/4 wave? I had one for a couple years and it worked fine on everything. My scanner didn't even know the difference between that and that turd looking thing with the straightened paper clip coming out of it.

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Interoperability is an attitude, not a technology.

Yep, I agree you don't need much. I've tried the following with my 996XT: VHF/UHF/866 1/4 whips... from 19", 8" to like 3.5" in height. I was very surprised how well the 3.5" whip worked but with 800mhz signals the scanner lost the signal too easily behind hills or structures. Ideal for flat terrain but not in this area. The other heights performed fine but the Laird scanner antenna works best. Definitely the best performance all-around.

The coax that comes with the NMO hardware varies a lot, and that can make a big difference on the 800 stuff.

Yep, I made sure to get RG-8x for my scanner mount. I wish I got the LMR-240 version but I didn't see it sold at the time. The length of coax is pretty short too (probably < 10ft.)

As long as you don't use stranded center conductor in 800...we've found that RG58 is just fine.

We just installed a county full of 800 P25 radios using Teflon cable that is thinner than RG58. Wish I had the part number...

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Interoperability is an attitude, not a technology.

You might be thinking of Teflex...

http://lairdtech.thomasnet.com/item/cab ... le/pn-4998

http://lairdtech.thomasnet.com/item/cab ... le/pn-4994?

This is why we didn't use rg58 on our 900 system-

4dB of loss for 20ft at 900mhz.

http://lairdtech.thomasnet.com/item/cab ... le/pn-5000?

2.14dB of loss at 20 ft.

about half the loss.

a db is a db.

That and an b8963 antenna.

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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."

Laird multi-band mounted, with Comtelco, VHF whip and Beverage antennas for size comparisons. Will test it on the drive to and stay on the coast this week.

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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

What's the SWR of the Rockstar?

6:1

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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

Anyone ever try this? I'm thinking for $10 it may be worth a shot.

http://universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/4421.html

Nick, I had one of those, or something similar from Valor, years ago.

It seemed to do OK, but I was only using it on VHF/UHF land mobile. Never tried it on 700/800 MHz.

If the price is right, give it a shot...

- Chris

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