Worldwide DX Amateur Radio Forums - Ham - CB - HF - VHF - UHF

Awesome, dude! Welcome to the world of ham radio, "and all that entails".

The VX-8R is one killer radio.

Great work!

Only other thing I'll mention regarding this antenna is that if it is not assembled already, make sure to carefully follow the instructions about the length of the antenna whips, and the little traps (the little thingies that look like small loading coils...) that go between them. If I recall correctly, there is a definite method/order to the way they are assembled.

Get on the air and enjoy...

Rob

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ButtFuzz in the Mobile
KG4ZPN

I have an older rado shack aluminum groundplane scanner base antenna that Ive ran 45-50 watts through without a problem Ill have to take a picture of it I havent seen one like this in a long time I payed I believe between 60-70 dllars whan I purchased it new it has 3 vertical antannas side by sid at different lengths seperated by a plastic isulater bracket and has 3 4 foot ground radials at the bottom the element or pieces are about the diameter of the end elements on some of my beams here..

Ill try to get a pic I looked at it one day and thought I seen in the instructions it could be transmitted on so I tried and it worked. I would have no problem plugging into it if my other dual band antenna pooped out for whatever reason.

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""""was not thinking of a cber sat with his makita screwdriver winding round the presets untill his meter said s9+60db from a guy on a handheld 15 miles away""""

heres another radio shack scanner antenna capable of transmit i found doing a search on miy old one
RadioShack® Outdoor Scanner/Ham Discone Antenna - RadioShack.com

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""""was not thinking of a cber sat with his makita screwdriver winding round the presets untill his meter said s9+60db from a guy on a handheld 15 miles away""""

I had the antenna sense Feb and it was not being used and i figured what the heck i might try it and see if it would work before i do that i would ask to see if it is recommended .

I cannot find the antenna I have I actually have only seen one other one like it my buddies dad had one still in the box never used I wanted it and then my buddy says hes gonna use it for his scanner and he never used it I should see if I cant snag it up maybe the model number and name is on the box

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""""was not thinking of a cber sat with his makita screwdriver winding round the presets untill his meter said s9+60db from a guy on a handheld 15 miles away""""

is the Radio Shack 20-176




Outdoor VHF-Hi/UHF Scanner Antenna - RadioShack.com

This one will work until you melt it on 2M, and with at least 50 watts on UHF. It says nowhere in the literature that it can be used for transmit, but I have tested it and it works just fine. I've had 3 of these antennas in 3 different locations and they are just great... they were greater when they were $14.95, but hey!

For SOLE 2M use, trim the two little UHF "stingers" off the antenna with a moto-tool. You'll get a little better SWR reading...

For Marine Band use, trim the little UHF stingers off and trim the 19" radiator and counterpoise radials off about 1-1/4" each.

Enjoy!

Rob

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ButtFuzz in the Mobile
KG4ZPN

This one has increased drastically in price, but works just fine. The price point of this thing is the deal-breaker now-a-days, and you can get a virtual clone of this antenna design delivered to your door for about $25 less if you use fleabay or find one online using Google.

I've had one in continuous use since 2001, and through 3 moves. It is still up on my current abode right now and I use it AT LEAST once a day, if not more often.

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ButtFuzz in the Mobile
KG4ZPN

the one i have has the thick aluminum tubing no wire it has 3 vertical tubes different lengths and the 3 4 foot tubes for ground radials the antenna height at the longest vertical tube is 5 foot or so.

Tomorrow Ill try to get a pic if this camera will work. I actually am taking the antenna off my tower and moving it to a new location I have to take my beam down to repair an element a goose collided with this passed spring I have the element and the multiband scanning antenna has to come down to get up to the Gizmotchy beam. The guys in the area here on the radio renamed my beam from a Gizmotchy to a Goosemotchy the b@$+ards they are LOL!!

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""""was not thinking of a cber sat with his makita screwdriver winding round the presets untill his meter said s9+60db from a guy on a handheld 15 miles away""""

Ouch on the antenna. First Mid air collision with the antenna ? Animals are not good expecially when you got squirrls like what i got here that wants to get on the tower .

I would say NO on the antenna on beginning of thread..
There is nothing showing what frequency's that antenna is made to transmit on..