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Home > Antennas /
Larsen Antennas
Overview
Larsen
is a leader in the design, development and manufacture of technologically
advanced antenna systems for wireless applications. Larsen has provided
mobile, portable and base antennas for two-way radio, public safety and
military markets for over 40 years.
Larsen makes some very nice base station antennas.
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Part # |
Description |
Photo
(Click on images below to view large versions) |
Price |
Lead-time |
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Larsen-MB-1-4 |
Larsen Magnet Base
Antenna - Quarter Wave
This is a very nice magnet base antenna for use on your car, truck or
RV. The antenna is tuned to have optimum performance at 123.3 and
123.5 MHz but works well over the entire aviation radio band of 118 to
136 MHz. It includes an 11.8 foot long cable with BNC connector
for connection to your handheld aviation radio or base station radio.
This antenna requires a ground plane such as
the roof of a car or RV.
Dimensions of Base
Length: 3.54 inches (90 mm)
Width: 3.0 inches (77 mm)
Thickness: 1.1 inches (28 mm)
Length of antenna rod: 22 7/16 inches
(570 mm) The antenna length was
optimized using an
MFJ-259B from MFJ Enterprises,
Incorporated. It allowed me to quickly measure the antenna's VSWR
across a range of frequencies and find the frequency that works the best
at the given length. Below are the test results. The testing
was done with the magnet base mounted to the top of my sedan.
Test Results for
Larsen 1/4 Wave Antenna
on Larsen Magnet Base |
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Antenna Length: 22
7/16 inches (570 mm) |
| Frequency
(MHz) |
SWR |
| 118.0 |
1.7 |
| 121.5 |
1.4 |
| 122.7 to 124.87 |
1.2 |
| 136.0 |
1.8 |
Summary of the Test Results
The test results show that the 1/4 wave antenna is not quite as good as
the 5/8 wave antenna at the frequencies for which it was optimized
(123.4 MHz), but it is close. The 5/8 wave antenna has a slightly
lower SWR at the frequency for which it was optimized (123.4 MHz).
However, the 5/8 wave antenna has a narrower frequency band than the 1/4
wave antenna. It is still excellent at 122.8 MHz and not bad at
121.5 MHz, but it is not great at the extremes of the aviation radio
band (118 and 136 MHz). That is fine since most gliders operate in
the 122.8 to 123.5 range. The 1/4 wave antenna is not quite as
good as the 5/8 wave antenna at 123.4 MHz, but it is still excellent
with an SWR of 1.2. The 1/4 wave antenna is still quite good at
121.5 MHz and not too bad at 118 and 136 MHz. The 1/4 wave antenna
is much better at 118 and 136 MHz than the 5/8 wave antenna, but I don't
think I've ever used those frequencies. One other consideration is
that the 1/4 wave antenna is quite stiff so that it will remain nearly
straight when on the roof of your car or RV at highway speeds. The
5/8 wave antenna is much longer an much more flexible (bendy). It
will be bent back dramatically at highway speeds. The bending will
not damage the antenna and probably won't hurt its performance very
much, but it is safe to say that the 5/8 wave antenna is better for
stationary applications while the 1/4 wave antenna is (perhaps) better
for use at highway speeds. |
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$47 |
In Stock
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Larsen-MB-5-8 |
Larsen Magnet Base
Antenna - 5/8 Wave
This is a very nice magnet base antenna for use on your car, truck or
RV. The antenna is tuned to have optimum performance at 123.3 and
123.5 MHz but works well over the entire aviation radio band of 118 to
136 MHz. It includes an 11.8 foot long cable with BNC connector
for connection to your handheld aviation radio or base station radio.
The antenna is much longer than the 1/4 antenna and offers better
performance. However, its long length makes it quite flexible.
It is probably the best option when the vehicle it is attached to is
standing still, but perhaps not when the vehicle is moving. The
1/4 antenna is probably the best option for use on a vehicle in motion.
This antenna requires a ground plane such as
the roof of a car or RV.
Dimensions of Base
Length: 3.54 inches (90 mm)
Width: 3.0 inches (77 mm)
Thickness: 1.1 inches (28 mm)
Length of antenna: 59.0 inches (149.9 cm)
The antenna length was optimized using an
MFJ-259B from MFJ Enterprises,
Incorporated. It allowed me to quickly measure the antenna's VSWR
across a range of frequencies and find the frequency that works the best
at the given length. Below are the test results. The testing
was done with the magnet base mounted to the top of my sedan.
Test Results for
Larsen 5/8 Wave Antenna
on Larsen Magnet Base |
|
Antenna Length: 59.0
inches (149.9 cm) |
| Frequency
(MHz) |
SWR |
| 118.0 |
2.7 |
| 121.5 |
1.8 |
| 122.8 |
1.2 |
| 122.9 to 123.98 |
1.1 |
| 124.05 |
1.2 |
| 136.0 |
4.9 |
Summary of the Test Results
The test results show that the 1/4 wave antenna is not quite as good as
the 5/8 wave antenna at the frequencies for which it was optimized
(123.4 MHz), but it is close. The 5/8 wave antenna has a slightly
lower SWR at the frequency for which it was optimized (123.4 MHz).
However, the 5/8 wave antenna has a narrower frequency band than the 1/4
wave antenna. It is still excellent at 122.8 MHz and not bad at
121.5 MHz, but it is not great at the extremes of the aviation radio
band (118 and 136 MHz). That is fine since most gliders operate in
the 122.8 to 123.5 range. The 1/4 wave antenna is not quite as
good as the 5/8 wave antenna at 123.4 MHz, but it is still excellent
with an SWR of 1.2. The 1/4 wave antenna is still quite good at
121.5 MHz and not too bad at 118 and 136 MHz. The 1/4 wave antenna
is much better at 118 and 136 MHz than the 5/8 wave antenna, but I don't
think I've ever used those frequencies. One other consideration is
that the 1/4 wave antenna is quite stiff so that it will remain nearly
straight when on the roof of your car or RV at highway speeds. The
5/8 wave antenna is much longer an much more flexible (bendy). It
will be bent back dramatically at highway speeds. The bending will
not damage the antenna and probably won't hurt its performance very
much, but it is safe to say that the 5/8 wave antenna is better for
stationary applications while the 1/4 wave antenna is (perhaps) better
for use at highway speeds. |
 |
$76 |
In Stock
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Larsen-BS-5-8 |
Larsen Base Station
Antenna - 5/8 Wave - Cable with BNC Connector Included
This is a very nice base station antenna for use on your truck or RV.
It includes clamping straps that can be used to attach it to a vertical
rod or bar. The antenna is tuned to have optimum performance at
123.3 and 123.5 MHz but works well over the entire aviation radio band
of 118 to 136 MHz. It includes an 5 m (16.4 foot) long cable with
BNC connector for connection to your handheld aviation radio or base
station radio. The antenna is much longer than the 1/4 antenna and
offers better performance. However, its long length makes it quite
flexible. It is probably the best option when the vehicle it is
attached to is standing still, but perhaps not when the vehicle is
moving. The 1/4 antenna is probably the best option for use on a
vehicle in motion.This antenna
includes 4 radial antenna rods which act as the ground plane. No
additional ground plane is needed.
Length of antenna: To be determined using
antenna test equipment very soon |
Photo coming soon |
$134 |
Available
November,
2008
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