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Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
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Author:  Wilrobnson [ Tue Jul 20, 2010 8:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
So I was looking around for a new mobile scanner antenna. Jim recommended the Comtelco from Scanner Master. I picked it up for about $45 shipped. When it arrived, I was a little befuddled to find it different from the picture (see below). The base was a little loose, but the "guide" had an Allen Wrench taped to it. I tightened it up and mounted it on my fender L-bracket mounting point. I've yet to have a full day to test it, but here's what I've found in the last 4 days or so:

Worth it.

This afternoon I was sitting flush against the SR-167 enbankment in Kent, on the west side, in downtown Kent. I was watching a guy go full retard and basically talk himself into a parole violation, when I realized the conversation I was hearing (2 WSP troopers on Car-2 155.460) was taking place between a mobile on the north side of the Kennydale Hill and another on 169 somewhere. Damn. My standard VHF antenna, a 1/4 wave cut for 155.000 would've missed that.

I'm going to try and devote a full day or so to test it next week or the week after, and Brian's shop is going to punch an NMO mount in the roof, where this antenna is going to go. More to come.

Scanner Master website- http://www.scannermaster.com/Comtelco_A ... 540719.htm

Photos:

1- Base of antenna:
Image

2- Mounted, with size comparison:
Image

3- Locations of above:
Image
Author:  Rich [ Wed Jul 21, 2010 6:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
I wonder which Comtelco antenna it is. Was there a part number on the package ?

http://www.comtelcoantennas.com/multi-band.htm
Author:  icom1020 [ Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
Similar to the Larsen "special" tri-band I take it? I've had good results with that one
Author:  dog [ Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
I'm using the Larson tri-bander in basically the same place. Still get better reception on the HAM radio (Yaesu FT8900) for WSP C2C than my scanner any day, have that lip-mounted on the back trunk of the SUV with a Diamond Antenna Dual-bander (770 model if I remember correctly).
Author:  Wilrobnson [ Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
Rich wrote:
I wonder which Comtelco antenna it is. Was there a part number on the package ?

http://www.comtelcoantennas.com/multi-band.htm


It's the A11331 model in black.
Author:  Rich [ Wed Jul 21, 2010 6:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
I'd be interested to hear how it performs on 800mhz.

Of my Comtelco collection two of my favorites are the A1833B-50 and A1132B. The A1132B is currently on the car and seems to work great on everything.
Author:  nickcarr [ Sun Jul 25, 2010 1:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
Wilrobnson wrote:
My standard VHF antenna, a 1/4 wave cut for 155.000 would've missed that.


Did you have the whip on that L bracket like you do in the photo? If so, you won't get full performance until it has a nice ground plane to work with. You may even get better performance from the Comtelco when it's mounted properly. :)
Author:  Wilrobnson [ Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
nickcarr wrote:
Did you have the whip on that L bracket like you do in the photo? If so, you won't get full performance until it has a nice ground plane to work with. You may even get better performance from the Comtelco when it's mounted properly.


Yeah, Nick, Brian from here is boring a hole in the car's roof in a few weeks for an NMO mount for the Comtelco, and any others I might want to slap up there.
Author:  nickcarr [ Wed Jul 28, 2010 9:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
Sweet, well let us know how it works out once you get it mounted on aNMO. I have two mounts on my Durango. Right now, I just use a 1/4" whip @ 860Mhz for my BCT-15 scanner. The front mount has the VHF 1/4 whip.

I have several 'other' antennas - and I keep going back to the whips. I like them because: 1. they're cheap, 2. they're virtually indestructible, 3. they perform well and 4. they're cheap. 8)

I've tried various antennas for just the scanner but always come back to the whip due to its 3" height. It doesn't have the best performance (due to the dead zones) but it keep me out of trouble in the damn parking garages. :twisted:

My VHF whip is 17" so I could probably handle the Comtelco.
Author:  TMF [ Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
nickcarr wrote:
Sweet, well let us know how it works out once you get it mounted on aNMO. I have two mounts on my Durango. Right now, I just use a 1/4" whip @ 860Mhz for my BCT-15 scanner. The front mount has the VHF 1/4 whip.


What are you using for a mounting bracket for the one on the front fender?
Author:  nickcarr [ Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
FYI, if you're looking for antenna mounts, this place is really cool. They have a good selection of 3/8 and NMO stuff in stock. They're down in Albany, OR ... shipping only takes a couple of days.

http://www.wearecb.com/store/antenna-mo ... 21_94.html
Author:  jrw14493 [ Wed Aug 18, 2010 11:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
Not to rain on your parade sir, but has anybody ever used one of these? Cheaper and I'm not supporting the other almighty by getting it from that place:

http://www.wearecb.com/store/maxrad-bma ... p-589.html

http://www.cheapham.com/LAR-NMO-150-450-800.html - Larsen Version
Author:  Rich [ Wed Aug 18, 2010 11:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
I have one of those (and the Larsen version too). The Comtelco performs a little better.
Author:  jrw14493 [ Mon Sep 13, 2010 12:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
Not to bump and old thread but BUMP!

Any more reviews Wil?

I ordered one last night to replace my quarter-wave which will be going to a VHF mobile hopefully soon. It's on backorder. You must be one hell of a salesman.
Author:  nickcarr [ Mon Sep 13, 2010 2:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Comtelco scanner antenna- review in progress
TMF wrote:
What are you using for a mounting bracket for the one on the front fender?


Sorry TMF, I must have missed your post.

I have two NMO mounts that were installed on the roof (both are in the front, on the smooth portion of the roof.) I also use a specific Durango-mount sold by Firestik - for my 3/8" hamsticks. It goes under the hood and works great.
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