What is a VHF High Telescoping Whip Antenna?
A VHF high telescoping whip antenna is an adjustable-length antenna optimized for the VHF-High band (136-174 MHz) and airband (108-137 MHz). Popular models include the Nagoya NA-701, Comet SMA24, and similar telescoping whips that offer adjustable length for tuning to specific frequencies.
Technical Specifications (Typical Telescoping Whip)
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 108-174 MHz (airband + VHF-High) |
| Length | 8-15 inches (collapsed to extended) |
| Gain | Varies by length; optimized around 146 MHz |
| Connector | SMA Male (fits SDS100/SDS150 directly) |
| Design | Telescoping whip (adjustable sections) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Adjustability | Tune by adjusting extended length |
| Compatibility | SDS100, SDS150, BCD436HP, any SMA Female scanner |
When This Antenna Works Best
- Airband (108-137 MHz): Excellent for monitoring tower, approach, and air-to-air communications. Adjust length to ~19" for optimal airband performance.
- VHF-High Public Safety (148-174 MHz): Many agencies still use VHF for dispatch and tactical operations. Ideal for portable monitoring.
- Ham Radio (144-148 MHz): Perfect for 2-meter ham operations and repeaters.
- Business/Industrial VHF: Construction, security, event coordinators often use VHF-high.
- Portable Field Use: Collapses for transport, extends for better reception when stationary.
Performance on Different Systems
Airband (108-137 MHz)
Excellent Performance. Extend fully (~15-19 inches) for best airband reception. Dramatically better than stock wideband antenna for aviation monitoring.
VHF-High (148-174 MHz)
Excellent Performance. This is the primary use case. Adjust length between 12-15 inches for optimal performance around 146-155 MHz.
UHF (450-512 MHz)
Poor Performance. Not designed for UHF. Use a UHF-specific antenna or the Remtronix 820S for 700/800 MHz instead.
700/800 MHz P25
Poor Performance. Far below design frequency. Use the Remtronix 820S for modern P25 trunked systems.
✔️ Advantages
- Adjustable length for tuning to specific bands
- Excellent on VHF-High and airband
- Collapses for portability
- Better than stock for VHF monitoring
- Affordable (~$15-30)
- Marked sections help set length
- Long extended length improves range
⚠️ Limitations
- Not suitable for UHF or 700/800 MHz
- Single-band focus (VHF only)
- Requires manual adjustment for best performance
- Extended length can be fragile
- Not ideal for mobile use when fully extended
How to Adjust for Best Performance
Most telescoping whips have marked sections. Here's a general guide:
- Airband (108-137 MHz): Extend fully to 15-19 inches
- 2-Meter Ham (144-148 MHz): Extend to approximately 13-15 inches
- VHF Public Safety (150-174 MHz): Extend to 12-14 inches
Experiment with length while monitoring a known active frequency to find the sweet spot for your area.
Should You Get a Telescoping Whip?
Get a telescoping whip if you:
- Monitor airband or VHF-High public safety regularly
- Want better VHF performance than stock
- Need portable antenna that collapses
- Monitor ham 2-meter repeaters
- Want an affordable VHF upgrade
Stick with stock or consider alternatives if you:
- Primarily monitor 700/800 MHz P25 (get Remtronix 820S instead)
- Need UHF coverage (consider Remtronix 842S triband)
- Don't want to manually adjust antenna length
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this work for 700/800 MHz P25?
No. Telescoping whips are designed for VHF (108-174 MHz) and perform poorly on 700/800 MHz. For modern P25 trunked systems, use the Remtronix 820S instead.
How much better is it than the stock antenna?
Significantly better on VHF-High and airband. Extended length provides better gain and range. Users commonly report clearer audio and ability to hear stations they couldn't receive with stock.
Can I leave it extended all the time?
Yes, but be careful in vehicles or crowded areas. The extended whip can be fragile. Many users collapse it for transport and extend when monitoring.
What's the best model to buy?
Popular models include Nagoya NA-701, Comet SMA24, and similar SMA-male telescoping whips. Look for one with marked sections to help set length for specific bands.
Where to Buy
Telescoping VHF whip antennas are available from antenna retailers and online:
Buy on AmazonLink coming soon
Explore More Antenna Guides
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