Handheld UHF Antennas
Submitted: Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 12:48
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Emp18
Hello all. I'm just writing for some advise on antennas that could be used for my handheld
UHF radio. I own the Uniden UH052XR, and I think it's about time I buy a new antenna as this one is particially not working, and also, I would just like a better antenna.
I've been looking into a couple of
places both online and around town, and I'm very curious as to whether I could use a 4.5dB whip just over half a metre long for my handheld. I know the 2dBs can be used for these handhelds, but never actually thought about 4.5 being able to be connected to it and work okay. But another thing I noticed is the keyword "mobile" in the product I was looking at. The product I was looking at was the GAAE4003 AE4003 GME Mobile whip - 4.5dB 570mm or maybe something not as long. Mobile whips I know can be mounted on roofs, or vehicles, but can they also be connected to a handheld using the standard BDC connector?
I really hope someone can help me out and give me some advise on a good handheld antenna and what will work and what won't.
Thanks
Adam
Reply By: Emp18 - Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 12:50
Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 12:50
Sorry guys, BNC connector I was meaning.
AnswerID:
86207
Reply By: Chaz - Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 13:04
Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 13:04
Hi Adam,
I'm just using an ordinary UHF mobile antenna with a patch lead that screws onto the to of my Uniden handheld where the rubber antenna was fitted. This allows me to use it in the vehicle and take it out to use. Not sure what db rating it has, but it works a treat.
Chaz
http://members.bettanet.net.au/~conody/index.htm
AnswerID:
86209
Reply By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 16:20
Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 16:20
I don't know what termination this antenna has Adam but it's rather large for a handheld. If you find one with BNC termination make sure it doesn't place excess strain on the handheld BNC socket to the point that something breaks, PL259 to BNC adapters are available,
well I have some anyway but I've had them for many years.
AnswerID:
86231
Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 16:52
Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 16:52
Those adaptors are still available. Try DSE, Jaycar et al.
I think a bigger problem is that a mobile whip antenna is designed to operate when attached to a car - ie. a big chunk of metal and that big chunk of metal provides a "ground plane" for the antenna. If you try to use the whip without a ground place it will be badly matched to the transmitter and may cause damage to it.
If you don't want to walk around with your handheld you could make your own ground plane from a sheet of metal (I used a biscuit tin lid once :) and make a lead from there to your radio. Otherwise I would suggest you look for a purpose designed antenna for hand held devices. They should be readily available and quite cheap for CBs?
Mike Harding
mike_harding@fastmail.fm
FollowupID:
344889
Reply By: Emp18 - Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 17:21
Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 17:21
Yep okay thanks for the replies guys. I thought this might be the case Mike, some damage could be inflicted. I've been looking and I'm starting to lean towards some quite smaller antennas. But even a 2.14dB antenna at 300mm long (the standard size of a ruler) would be great, but may cause some damage. I'm not sure whether to even bother purchasing a handheld antenna with some gain because I'm not sure if it will damage or be appropriate for this handheld.
Thanks in advance
Adam
AnswerID:
86246
Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 17:37
Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 17:37
Yep, keep it small adam, handhelds are supposed to be small and nifty. If you need another coupla db height is might so get some platform shoes..nah just kidding, jump on a rock, climb a tree,
hill etc
FollowupID:
344893
Reply By: Member - Mungo Explorer (NSW) - Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 23:40
Sunday, Nov 28, 2004 at 23:40
You don't say why you want to do this - is it to have better range when walking around away from the car? Or is it for in-car use? If the latter, you might like to try what I did:
Buy a larger antenna (4.5 gain in my case, but I might also get a longer one for travel in open flat areas) and attach it to a roof rack bracket. Run the lead through the window to the handheld, which in my case is in a front cupholder. Works to all intents and purpose like a fixed radio.
Now when I want to go walkabout, I just unscrew the antenna lead and replace it with a shorter, handheld antenna. And when I return from a trip, I take the antenna, lead etc off the car altogether (unscrews in seconds), just leaving the roofrack bracket.
I would have though a 4.5 gain directly attached to the handheld, apart from the problems mentioned by others (too much stress on attachment point) would also be unfeasible because it's just too long to take into the car comfortably.
AnswerID:
86317