Garmin long range antennas

[bjbmtry]

Has anybody tried either the portable or magnetic long range antenna for the Garmin Astro 220? If so, how well do they work, about how much does it increase range, and do you recommend one?

Thanks

[John Stebly]

I have one of the magnetic antennas. It is worth buying one, it comes close to doubling
your range.

[catdogs]

I have one of the magnetic antennas. It is worth buying one,

Yep on that! The long range ant. is a waste of money IMO

[bjbmtry]

Thanks John

[Hound_Crazy!]

Its really worth the money, the magnetic one has probably a little more range but the other portable is more convinent and also has great range.

[Kenneth]

I have a long range antenna. It works well enough for me. In our mountains, it seems to almost double the range. However, you have to be careful, because the long range antenna is very easy to break. I think that's a problem Garmin needs to remedy in the near future.

[Steve White]

The portable long range works well. It will double to triple your range easy. So will the mag mount antenna, but I would not suggest buying one if you use a radio at all. Especially a truck mounted one. They have been the culprit of blowing many units up!

[Buddyw]

I try to have one of each, Like mentioned the Long Range antenna is expensive and easy to break, I've broken two of them three times, in 4 hunts (I fixed one, and broke it again).. So my long Range antenna stays in a "In emergency Break Glass" Kind of box..

Lately when I need the range on foot I've been Putting the Mag Mount antenna in my back pack and it's more durable, and get's a better signal than the stock one.

But I would definately have one or the other, and personally the mag Mounts are cheaper and more durable, My vote is that one first, and if you want a LR antenna.. Just be extremely careful with it.

Buddy

[catdogs]

This is the fix for the Garmin LR.. Comes with a BNC for the Garmin long range "handle".



http://www.smileyantenna.com/product_in ... 63a3fd203d

I have used and abused this one after breaking the orginal in just a few days. The base is totally flexable (you can bend it over 90 degrees) longer than the orginal Garmin also.

[Steve White]

Even though that antenna from Smiley has a flexible base. It is still made from the same material as the Garmin ones. So breakage will still occur. Just so folks know. You still need the the portable long range base to use it.

Funny that mag mount work that well for you Buddy in your backpack. SInce the purpose of the mag is to create a ground plain using the truck. Unless your are carrying some metal with you. It will not receive as well with out the ground plane.

[Cowboyvon]

Its flexible.. so it shouldn't break the same. And if you have a base already with a broken antenna you can save a little money .. right?

[Buddyw]

CowboyVon, I've also broken mine also on the telescopic part (above the spring) , But I would think it would be a hell of alot less expensive than buying the entire LR antenna, I've got a couple handles laying around!. One of these days I'm going to get some of the different Antenna's in and try them out.

Ground Plane's antenna's reflections, and setups are funny,

For me with out Proper measurements, it's hard to compare, but good Ground Plane always seams to improve and effect TX more so than RX at least that's my experience.. Reflecting the Power in the Right Direction is a Large part of the Ground plan.. (Again, least that's my understanding) More benifit applies to Transmitting than Recieving. that's not to say that I'm not getting the Most out of my Mag mount in my Back Pack. But the benifits of Having a Longer antenna, (Higher)Out above me, compensates for the Lack of Ground plane. Give and Take senarios.

Another point to consider is this is Digital, and not Analog.. So successful range is measured different, My assumption, is Digital Range should drop off much faster, because you would be loosing Digital Signal which can be compensated electronically, rather than analog (voice) which you would need to not only recieve, but undertand.

There is always better, and better. If the Collars would switch to 5 watts, instead of 2watts that would help, We could probably find a better antenna for the collar that would get out further..

But for me, Pro's and cons with everything... not breaking the LR antenna is a Pro to not using the antenna to it' full potential. for me.

I would make more money Selling the LR Antenna's to folks, But I just try to explain What's been working alright for me and how many LR antenna's I've personally Broken.

[blackpaws]

is there a 15 in. rubber duckie antenna out there? i thought i saw that posted somewhere in the past. it seems to me the longer the antenna the more leverage and strain it puts on that flimsy connector on the top of the astro. But, just have to be careful i guess.

[Buddyw]

Blackpaws.. There is.. I think Dad's dog Boy Posted the link, But I haven't been able to keep up on the site too much lately so I could be wrong.. .

[jhelvik]

Does anybody know off hand what frequency the Garmin 220 and collars are using out of the box? Will changing these frequencies help any with long range capabilities.