I use mobile antennas on my cars since I get my first Novice licence 30 years ago. I tested many brands, different lengths and at last I found that the Comet CA-2X4SR on both versions NMO and UHF base connector are the best for me to use on my cars. I recently changed my dual band radio for a tri-band radio that includes the 220Mhz band and surprisingly my Comet CA-2X4SR antenna worked efficiently in the 220Mhz segment with an efficiency of 98.8% with an SWR of 1.23db allowing me to use most of the power of the radio tri-band. The advantage now is that I can use my antenna in all three amateur radio bands and in the GMRS segment due to its wide bandwidth covering 144Mhz to 465Mhz.
I run the same antenna in my truck and even on my base station and have had great success. I really like the ability to fold it down so I can still park in the garage!
I currently use the Comet CA-2X4SR as my primary mobile antenna (and swap it out for an SBB-680 for parking garages as needed). I've checked the CA-2X4SR with my Comet antenna analyzer and found that, at the current mounting location (above my hatchback door on a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee) that this antenna will not only cover the 2M/440 MHz bands, but it will cover the entire 220 band as well with and SWR of 1.3 (for my installation). It's a very good antenna in my opinion. My reason for getting it was because the SBB-680 while great for most of my daily rag chews on local repeaters, the CA-2X4SR gives me a little more signal for simplex band openings. It's a very well-built antenna. I would also recommend adding the spring kit as well. I had this antenna installed and used valet services at a local hospital...forgetting about the possibility of my Jeep being parked in a garage. Well, thanks to the spring, a by the grace of God, a loose set screw on my roof mount, the vehicle returned to me with the antenna knocked down, pointing backwards. upon my inspection, I thankfully found that the antenna got knocked over and just a little scuffed up. I went home and used my antenna analyzer and found the antenna and mount were just fine (it sometimes pays to be a little lazy on tightening those set screws).
I just put the Comet CA-2X4SRNMO on my Explorer, hood mount, and have it connected to my Ft3 HT (waiting for the mount for the FTM400). Works great even with an HT and can pull into the garage with no issues.
Been running Larsen mobile antennas since the 90s. I never had one break or fail. I bought a expensive Comet dual bander for the truck and it failed within 3 months. Back to using my old faithful Larsens.
Comet UHV-4 quad band 10-6-2m-440. I use it with my TYT TH-9800 quad band radio in my old k5 blazer, With an antenna switcher, I also use it with my Anytone AT5555N on 10m ssb with great results working dx, mobile.
I use a Comet Antennas CA-2X4SRNMO on my icom 2730a and it works amazing, it does work well for mars/cap frequencies as well it is a work horse for sure from just one antenna
I had one of those Comet 2X4 antennas with the inline swirly on a tri-mag on the roof of my truck. I forgot it was there when I went thorough the drive-thru at the bank, and mangled the heck out of it. The moral of the story is: they don't fold themselves down.
Spot on with the antennas. My favorite is the 2X4SRNMO from Comet. I used mine for public service (FD/EMS) and ham. One tip though - Don't forget about clearances and low trees. 😆
I use a Moonraker dual band mag mount right now and can on certain days hit the Ottawa Canada repeater 2m across Lake Ontario from my house thats 63 mile away. Oh.. and HAPPY WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY Everyone!...😉 73!
Hey Josh that's easy, the Signal Stuff Super-Elastic Signal Stalk!! Yes Jason I know! The SBB5 is my all time fav but when you factor in traversing parking garages the Super-Elastic Signal Stalk is the go-to!
@@michaelpohl348 unless I'm expecting low tree branches or parking garages I'm on the SBB5. Signal Stalk for the win though. The SBB5 is just a little better. I talk a lot of simplex so the taller antenna helps.
Lots of good antenna options. I have the Comet SBB 5 and 2 on the cargo trailer camper, along with some Tram and Diamond antennas. So far, I'm up to 10 antennas on the trailer, including a 220 antenna and a tri-band antenna for the scanner. I'm sure I'll end up doing a video on just the antennas when I start getting the build videos posted.
I have been using the Diamond SG7500 for many years. I one on my van, one on the car and two on the motorcycle (dual band and APRS. The fold over design is nice for tall vehicles like my van and great on the motorcycle as I can fold them over to put on a storage cover.
Hi Great Video! Many people go in blind not knowing what to buy and recommendations are always appreciated. I have used both Comet and Larsen with amazing results. With me the true test regarding antenna performance is observed while working simplex. If you have a poor quality antenna plain and simple, You Will Not Get Out! I will highly recommend both the tall Comet and the Larsen NMO 2/70B. I also lived in a Homeowners Association Community in Florida for a while and I used a Comet 7900 I think (it was the tall one) with their ground radial base conversion kit attached to a (Toilet) vent pipe mount with about 3 feet of PVC pipe mast to get it past the roof line. I used LMR 240 coax. The exposed mast, coax, and antenna were spray can painted with non metallic paint to closely match the light grey roof tile color I was able to hit all the local repeaters It basically could not be observed. I never got caught.
For ham use I use Comet MA-721 mag mount, for GMRS Nagoya UT72G. Please, do not laugh and roll your eyes, both are connected to handheld radios, and both perform quite well connecting simplex and to repeaters.
I use the comet SBB5 (mounted on Pickup fiberglass cap) with a Yaesu 6000. I have made 5+ contacts with the ISS. Its a no ground plane Antenna. I highly recommend it.
The comet 2x4 is one of my fav antennas. It does everything well. 2m,440 & GMRS. Here in DFW GMRS has grown like wildfire and the 2x4 has become a favorite for many many GMRS guys. Prob my very favorite is my Diamond sg7900a. It’s just a dual band but I’ve used it for a long time on GMRS with 1.7 or better SWR’s and that’s better than the 2x4 does (1.8). Only drawback is it’s 62” long so it gets into everything on top of my work van(triple magnet) it has lasted 15 years though.
A Retevis MA05 I got off EBay for $12.99. Works slicker than snot for VHF/Uhf. A Laird Technologies for 220 and some old jalopy MFJ that works on 2m/6m.
I've used the same Larsen 2/70 NMO with a mag mount for nearly 20 years, and just recently I had to replace the mag mount. The antenna still works the same as it did when I first bought it. I also bought another one along with the ground plane kit for mounting on my 28.5' Max Gains Systems mast. I have used a Comet 1/4 wave dual bander mag mount before purchasing the first Larsen, and its performance was mediocre on distant repeaters. 73 KD5YOU
I had a Compactenna on my SUV for about a year, on a magnet mount. I've never took it off until about a week ago. The casing on my antenna was cracked from top to bottom. I've never hit anything. Idk why it cracked. Still works though.
I've had great luck with the Pulse Larsen NMO150/450/800SF triband antenna for 2m, 70cm, and GMRS. Frequency range is 150-174/430-520/806-960 MHz and VSWR is below 1.6:1 on every band and handles up to 100W.
I really recommend the COMPACTenna for VHF and UHF. I found it super practical, incredible range. And it is ideal for those of us who live in cities and need a "low profile". You just have to be very careful how to place it on the ceiling since it DOES NOT RESPECT the "ground plane in the center of the ceiling" rule. 👌👍
I have the Comet CA-2X4SRNMO on my Fusion 2010 . works great. use GMRS and MURS. great performance. it's got a small loop about center. had it for years. MURS is 2 watt max. but with the Comet antenna seems like more power. got many times the range connected to 2 watt HT. same with 5 watt GMRS HT. works great with a UV-5R radio. works like a 25 watt mobile radio. I did put 50 watt GMRS and got repeater 70 miles away and not line of sight. some what blocked . shocked it made it. never went wrong with Comet antenna ever. Comet makes a great antenna analyzer as well . 73's
Agreed. I'm on the Comet train too. All NMOs. All mags. SBB-5 is my go-to. I've had it for years and it's a workhorse. I just picked up a used SSB-7 at the hamfest in Belton, Texas to use while doing VHF roving/contesting. Can't wait to see how it works on simplex! I have to park in an underground garage at work and have needed a VERY short antenna solution and a buddy told me about COMPACtennas; so I picked up their triband version: 2m/220/70cm. We now both run them on our mobiles. It looks like a stovepipe - 7.5" tall (without the magnet mount height) and about 2 inches in diameter. About a week & a half with it and it works great! I'm in a large metropolitan area and need something just for repeaters on mainly 70cm while commuting. I still need to do some testing on 220 & 2m. But satisfied with it so far.👍
Comet 2X4SR on the 4Runner and recently put a 2X4SR on the Focus. Great antenna for 2m, 70cm, and GMRS. Also have the Comet UHV-4 when i feel like trying 10m and 6m FM.
Personally I like single band antennas and the longer the better. I use single band radios. Have separate antennas for 6M, 10M, 2M, 1 .25M, 70cm, 33cm, 23cm and GMRS on the roof of my 1 ton van. The 10M antenna puts me 8 inches over legal height. 13' 6" is legal height in PA and I'm at about 14' 2" to the tip of the 10M antenna. When I drive up to remote mountain top repeater sites it sounds like I'm playing drums as my antenna farm whacks tree branches. Also get lots of weird looks when going through drive through's.
@@markwirez And that's just the roof. I have a motorized fold down screwdriver antenna mounted on the passenger side that covers 10-80M. I can't drive with that one up. When it's tuned to the bottom end of 80M the height is near 20 feet to the tip.
I've used the Austin Metropolitan for several years. Been very happy with it, although recently, it hasn't done real well on 1.25cm. Checked it with my analyzer and it is no longer resonate on that band. It's lead a rough life. Still good on 2m and 70cm. Thinking about getting 2 and making a triband dipole. I have a Yaesu FT736 with a 1.25m module. I'm currently using a Comet SBB224NMO triband on the car and it is great.
I use MFJ 1412 B 1/2 L 2m 5/8x5/8 L .70m. One piece. Like a Timex watch. Willie E Coyote proof. Takes getting wacked by trees. Heard it is a a Comet knock off, or are from the same plant. But if I have to part in a garage, a low level Rough Rider is used. (Comet HP32FHN copy?)
Best 2 meter single band mag mount in my opinion is the Shark. I have one on the roof of my 2015 Mack concrete truck and it takes a severe beating from tree limbs cause the truck of so tall KE5MUG
Best antenna dualband running 2008-2024 imho. I have had Diamonds, Trams, Maxrad, Larsen and a few other brands I cant remember. The Comet SBB series, sun and weather faded loading coils still running like a champ. the sbb7 does have a tilt over scheme so you still get to keep that gain in your covered parking The Diamond Quad band 10,6,2,70cm is a wonderful antenna, Although it is a bit fragile at the loading tip. I snapped the top coil form whacking a tree branch in the bush. If your a freeway driver with an 8900 quad band radio. its a good choice. Random internet guy dropping his $0.02.. Lol.
Just ordered the diamond 8900a to go with the tyt 9800 quad band. Glad to here I didn't make a mistake. I'm on the highway all over texas so sounds like it should work well.😁
While its not documented anywhere except internet comments sections, the SR2x4NMO works well enough on the 220 (1.25Meter) band. Especially with the Anytone Tribanders.
Running a Comet 2x4SR terminated to UHF male. By far my favorite mobile I’ve had. I’ve considered switching out the mount for a Diamond k400 nmo and get the nmo version of the comet but not sure if it’s worth switching out yet.
The mount location and ground plane on a vehicle matters just as much as the type of antenna. A great antenna in a crappy location will be a crappy antenna. Also, get a SWR meter for the bands you're using and use it to tune the antenna in its installed location. Antennas may need to be tuned depending on COAX run length and mounting location the SWR meter is an invaluable tool.
Good video I like it! Just one question. I have a yaesu aviation bands the radio is the FTA 850L and I don’t know what is the connector I will need to connect to a external antenna All the ones I see are screw on the one I have is just like a Half turn the antenna is the male Thanks also a good antenna for it
Looks like a lot of love for the CA 2X4SR😍. I have 3 of them on the roof of the Q-Mobile. Spec is under 2:1 up to 460 MHz. That doesn't get to the GMRS repeater inputs at ~467.5 MHz, but mine are well under 2:1 up there and a bit beyond. ALSO, they don't spec the 220 band at all, but I get a good SWR there as well! Fine, but so would a 52 ohm resistor, right? Well, performance is on par with a tri-band antenna that I swap on that mount (to the AnyTone 578 mobile). I talk to our wide-coverage 220 machine 40 miles out (only 5 watts from the AnyTone, or it would be farther). So AFAIC, it's a tri-band antenna. Maybe their modeling or performance tests don't let them spec it that way, but if you need wide-band coverage AND 220 (and I'm not telling you that you should or shouldn't, either), consider the CA 2X4. Oh, and overall performance - I do note a SLIGHT performance loss compared to Comet SBB5. That bandwidth has to come from someplace, right? No free 🥪. How slight? A VERY noisy signal on the CA is a little less noisy on the SBB 5... just a little. I'm taking the trade. K4AAQ (King of Ham)
Great video, I’m temporarily running a Yeasu FT-60 with a Diamond MR77SMA mag mount antenna on the roof of my new truck, can I do better without drilling holes until I get a real mobile setup ? Thanks
Hello sir, hope you are doing well. I have the 8-hp plus and being playing with it for couple of days. This one touch freq search is great but one thing either I dont know who to change or it wont allow is I can only save the frequency I scanned only in zone 1. And I want it to save it in a different zone. Do you know if there is anyway we can change the zone in one touch search mode? I know I can pass the frequency later but if it has CTSS OR DCS is a pain in the but moving all those numbers. Thanks for any info and for all your videos. Huge fan here.
i am using the yaesu ft-857d and was using the atas 120 antenna but not really pleased with it. i wish there was a better version of that antenna that could auto tune and be an all mode antenna.. any suggestions would be greatly apppreciated. and sadly, life prevents me from being an active radio operator like i want to be but maybe in time. thank you for the great videos you always put out!
Any recommendations for mounting an antenna on an aluminum body F-150? I have a pano sunroof, so no drilling into the roof and while Bulletproof Diesel makes a cool mount for the 3rd backlight, it’s more expensive than a radio and an antenna. Any bed pocket stake mounts? Thanks.
It doesn't really matter - I mean, it can, but with mobile installs, you have such limited space. Just put it in the center back or center front of the cab
I have a 2023 F-150 and installed Bullet Proof Diesel's 3rd brake light antenna mount. It's pricey... but it's been a solid mount for me without trouble for a year while providing the best location for an antenna on the truck. I'm using a short 12" Comet B-10 because it clears my 8' garage door, so it stays on all the time except for carwashes (I use a rain cap through the wash), and the performance is surprising for such a small antenna. If I were to do it again, I'd go for the dual antenna mount option, so I could use it for a combo of Ham (Comet B-10) & CB (Larsen NM027B) or even GMRS, for a real clean installation without antenna's scattered on the roof/hood/bedstake... Anyway, if you'd like to see my radio/antenna install, pics are on IG @azcamperpete on June 16th, 2023. Cheers and 73. Pete in Arizona - KI7LIL
Ive got the Sirio 5000 performer and Sirio Carbonium for 11 metre use!! On a 1999 Toyota Celica As Randy would say ... it impresses the chicks 😉 Word to the wise... always be careful buying antennas from the internet as there are loads of chinese knock offs. Diamond in particular suffer, as do Nagoya for their HT antennas.
That do everything comet antenna CA-2x4SR will also cover the marine band. Just be careful with that antenna on an aluminum body vehicle like 2015 and newer F150 trucks. The aluminum on the roof isn't thick enough to keep all that weight, stiffness, and wind load from tin canning and possibly damaging the metal roof while driving.
The 3rd brake light antenna mount from Bulletproof Diesel is perfect for my new F-150. The aluminum roof does not allow use of a mag mount & not gonna drill a hole. That location gives maximum performance for my antenna which is simple to unscrew for the car wash. There is a choice of single or dual antenna mounts, NMO or PL259, as well as the option of adding cargo and other special purpose lights.
some sort of larson antenna from a swap meet,trimmed it abit,works perfectly on 2 meters,and 440 and very good on gmrs,actually better then the high gain gmrs antenna from a unnamed gmrs company
I have a Uniden SDS200, I am installing it in my truck and I need a antenna for it. What do you recommend? I have a Comet 3D5M installed in my roof for the antenna so it needs to by UHF or PL-259. Thanks
High gain isn't necessarily a good thing. If the transmitter and receiver are at different heights say one is down in a valley and the other is at the top, the antenna pattern on a high gain antenna is flat enough where they may not hear each other. In those situations, a 2-3dB antenna is what you want because they will have a broader radiation pattern.
UHF VHF Dual Band 136-174MHz 400-470MHz Magnetic Base Mount Antenna with Ground Plane Kit, Vehicle Mobile Ham Radio Antenna with PL-259 Male Connector for Car Amateur Radio Marine VHF Radio can you let me know about this antenna.
I’m waiting on my FTM500 from HRO Plano to be delivered. Why do you run 2 UHF/VHF radios in the same truck? Not judging, I was thinking about doing the same thing but I couldn’t find a practical reason that my wife would accept. 😂
A few reasons - First, they both have different DV modes. While I don't care about DSTAR much, I have it. The Yaesu does Fusion, which I use more often. The Yaesu does APRS and often it is just running that and nothing else. Then the Icom is my main radio for repeaters and Simplex. I can also monitor 3 frequencies or repeaters at the same time, instead of just 2 with 1 radio.
@@HamRadio2 and that’s what I told my wife, but she said I was nuts. Apparently the kids college funds are more important than my ability to do the same as you. LOL But seriously, I need a radio that has the ability to find close by repeaters when I’m traveling, but one that also does APRS. I haven’t dabbled into the DV modes yet, but that’s on my horizon. It also needs it to live in my vehicle, so being easily concealed is a must. I can’t have my wife thinking I’m bringing home another radio/blaster/dog/etc. The closest thing I’ve found that fits my requirements is the Icom 705, but I find it’s too big and heavy for a temporary/movable mount. I was thinking about an RFinder, but I didn’t want the power limitations of an HT (also a con for the 705). Plus my code plug experiences have not been the greatest, so much so that I would prefer to avoid DMR completely. Any suggestions?
I use mobile antennas on my cars since I get my first Novice licence 30 years ago. I tested many brands, different lengths and at last I found that the Comet CA-2X4SR on both versions NMO and UHF base connector are the best for me to use on my cars. I recently changed my dual band radio for a tri-band radio that includes the 220Mhz band and surprisingly my Comet CA-2X4SR antenna worked efficiently in the 220Mhz segment with an efficiency of 98.8% with an SWR of 1.23db allowing me to use most of the power of the radio tri-band. The advantage now is that I can use my antenna in all three amateur radio bands and in the GMRS segment due to its wide bandwidth covering 144Mhz to 465Mhz.
I run the same antenna in my truck and even on my base station and have had great success. I really like the ability to fold it down so I can still park in the garage!
I currently use the Comet CA-2X4SR as my primary mobile antenna (and swap it out for an SBB-680 for parking garages as needed). I've checked the CA-2X4SR with my Comet antenna analyzer and found that, at the current mounting location (above my hatchback door on a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee) that this antenna will not only cover the 2M/440 MHz bands, but it will cover the entire 220 band as well with and SWR of 1.3 (for my installation). It's a very good antenna in my opinion. My reason for getting it was because the SBB-680 while great for most of my daily rag chews on local repeaters, the CA-2X4SR gives me a little more signal for simplex band openings. It's a very well-built antenna.
I would also recommend adding the spring kit as well. I had this antenna installed and used valet services at a local hospital...forgetting about the possibility of my Jeep being parked in a garage. Well, thanks to the spring, a by the grace of God, a loose set screw on my roof mount, the vehicle returned to me with the antenna knocked down, pointing backwards. upon my inspection, I thankfully found that the antenna got knocked over and just a little scuffed up. I went home and used my antenna analyzer and found the antenna and mount were just fine (it sometimes pays to be a little lazy on tightening those set screws).
I just put the Comet CA-2X4SRNMO on my Explorer, hood mount, and have it connected to my Ft3 HT (waiting for the mount for the FTM400). Works great even with an HT and can pull into the garage with no issues.
Been running Larsen mobile antennas since the 90s. I never had one break or fail. I bought a expensive Comet dual bander for the truck and it failed within 3 months. Back to using my old faithful Larsens.
Bullitt proof!
Comet UHV-4 quad band 10-6-2m-440. I use it with my TYT TH-9800 quad band radio in my old k5 blazer, With an antenna switcher, I also use it with my Anytone AT5555N on 10m ssb with great results working dx, mobile.
I use a Comet Antennas CA-2X4SRNMO on my icom 2730a and it works amazing, it does work well for mars/cap frequencies as well it is a work horse for sure from just one antenna
I had one of those Comet 2X4 antennas with the inline swirly on a tri-mag on the roof of my truck. I forgot it was there when I went thorough the drive-thru at the bank, and mangled the heck out of it.
The moral of the story is: they don't fold themselves down.
I went through an automatic car wash with a mag mount dual band antenna. When I got out the other side, the whole kit was hanging off the side. 😮
I've been running a diamond 7900 forever it is a great antenna.
I'm very happy with the Comet CA 2x4SR w/NMO mount. Covers 2m, 70cm, and GMRS.
Spot on with the antennas. My favorite is the 2X4SRNMO from Comet. I used mine for public service (FD/EMS) and ham. One tip though - Don't forget about clearances and low trees. 😆
I use a Moonraker dual band mag mount right now and can on certain days hit the Ottawa Canada repeater 2m across Lake Ontario from my house thats 63 mile away. Oh.. and HAPPY WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY Everyone!...😉 73!
COMPACTenna on my car. I love the lower profile!
I’m presently using the Diamond SG7500. Works very good for me here in Idaho.
Hey Josh that's easy, the Signal Stuff Super-Elastic Signal Stalk!!
Yes Jason I know!
The SBB5 is my all time fav but when you factor in traversing parking garages the Super-Elastic Signal Stalk is the go-to!
The signal stick is great but the Comet hears better
@@HamRadio2 I agree but judging on all aspects...
I keep the SBB5 for when I travel. In town though. The SSSS.
I agree. The signal stalk half wave is my daily!
@@michaelpohl348 unless I'm expecting low tree branches or parking garages I'm on the SBB5.
Signal Stalk for the win though.
The SBB5 is just a little better.
I talk a lot of simplex so the taller antenna helps.
Lots of good antenna options. I have the Comet SBB 5 and 2 on the cargo trailer camper, along with some Tram and Diamond antennas. So far, I'm up to 10 antennas on the trailer, including a 220 antenna and a tri-band antenna for the scanner. I'm sure I'll end up doing a video on just the antennas when I start getting the build videos posted.
I have the Anytone AT5888UVIII radio and use the Comet SBB224 antenna and it works fantastic!!!
That's good to hear! I have that radio, and the SBB224 antenna will be here next week
Compactenna tri-band antenna for mobile use. Low profile and good performance. Also have a Compactenna on my roof for a base antenna.
I have been using the Diamond SG7500 for many years. I one on my van, one on the car and two on the motorcycle (dual band and APRS. The fold over design is nice for tall vehicles like my van and great on the motorcycle as I can fold them over to put on a storage cover.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Great Video! Many people go in blind not knowing what to buy and recommendations are always appreciated. I have used both Comet and Larsen with amazing results. With me the true test regarding antenna performance is observed while working simplex. If you have a poor quality antenna plain and simple, You Will Not Get Out! I will highly recommend both the tall Comet and the Larsen NMO 2/70B. I also lived in a Homeowners Association Community in Florida for a while and I used a Comet 7900 I think (it was the tall one) with their ground radial base conversion kit attached to a (Toilet) vent pipe mount with about 3 feet of PVC pipe mast to get it past the roof line. I used LMR 240 coax. The exposed mast, coax, and antenna were spray can painted with non metallic paint to closely match the light grey roof tile color I was able to hit all the local repeaters It basically could not be observed. I never got caught.
For ham use I use Comet MA-721 mag mount, for GMRS Nagoya UT72G. Please, do not laugh and roll your eyes, both are connected to handheld radios, and both perform quite well connecting simplex and to repeaters.
Why would I have laugh at that?
I use the comet SBB5 (mounted on Pickup fiberglass cap) with a Yaesu 6000. I have made 5+ contacts with the ISS. Its a no ground plane Antenna. I highly recommend it.
Have same setup on a k400 trunk lip mount and man it works so great
The comet 2x4 is one of my fav antennas. It does everything well. 2m,440 & GMRS. Here in DFW GMRS has grown like wildfire and the 2x4 has become a favorite for many many GMRS guys.
Prob my very favorite is my Diamond sg7900a. It’s just a dual band but I’ve used it for a long time on GMRS with 1.7 or better SWR’s and that’s better than the 2x4 does (1.8). Only drawback is it’s 62” long so it gets into everything on top of my work van(triple magnet) it has lasted 15 years though.
The Larsen NMO 2/70 is a phenomenal antenna!
A Retevis MA05 I got off EBay for $12.99. Works slicker than snot for VHF/Uhf. A Laird Technologies for 220 and some old jalopy MFJ that works on 2m/6m.
I've used the same Larsen 2/70 NMO with a mag mount for nearly 20 years, and just recently I had to replace the mag mount. The antenna still works the same as it did when I first bought it. I also bought another one along with the ground plane kit for mounting on my 28.5' Max Gains Systems mast. I have used a Comet 1/4 wave dual bander mag mount before purchasing the first Larsen, and its performance was mediocre on distant repeaters. 73 KD5YOU
I have the diamond sg7900 nmo, the swr is 1.7-1.8 on gmrs and murs, best antenna I’ve ever used
I've become a fan of the COMPACTenna for VHF/UHF as well as GMRS.
I had a Compactenna on my SUV for about a year, on a magnet mount. I've never took it off until about a week ago. The casing on my antenna was cracked from top to bottom. I've never hit anything. Idk why it cracked. Still works though.
I've had great luck with the Pulse Larsen NMO150/450/800SF triband antenna for 2m, 70cm, and GMRS. Frequency range is 150-174/430-520/806-960 MHz and VSWR is below 1.6:1 on every band and handles up to 100W.
I really recommend the COMPACTenna for VHF and UHF. I found it super practical, incredible range. And it is ideal for those of us who live in cities and need a "low profile". You just have to be very careful how to place it on the ceiling since it DOES NOT RESPECT the "ground plane in the center of the ceiling" rule. 👌👍
I have the Comet CA-2X4SRNMO on my Fusion 2010 . works great. use GMRS and MURS. great performance. it's got a small loop about center. had it for years. MURS is 2 watt max. but with the Comet antenna seems like more power. got many times the range connected to 2 watt HT. same with 5 watt GMRS HT. works great with a UV-5R radio. works like a 25 watt mobile radio. I did put 50 watt GMRS and got repeater 70 miles away and not line of sight. some what blocked . shocked it made it. never went wrong with Comet antenna ever. Comet makes a great antenna analyzer as well . 73's
I use TRAM 1181 140MHz-170MHz + 430MHz-470MHz Dual Band NMO Antenna for ALL my GMRS and HAM needs.
I’ve had good luck with the Compac. It is position dependent but I get out 40-45 miles with my Anytone.
Agreed. I'm on the Comet train too. All NMOs. All mags. SBB-5 is my go-to. I've had it for years and it's a workhorse.
I just picked up a used SSB-7 at the hamfest in Belton, Texas to use while doing VHF roving/contesting. Can't wait to see how it works on simplex!
I have to park in an underground garage at work and have needed a VERY short antenna solution and a buddy told me about COMPACtennas; so I picked up their triband version: 2m/220/70cm. We now both run them on our mobiles. It looks like a stovepipe - 7.5" tall (without the magnet mount height) and about 2 inches in diameter.
About a week & a half with it and it works great! I'm in a large metropolitan area and need something just for repeaters on mainly 70cm while commuting. I still need to do some testing on 220 & 2m. But satisfied with it so far.👍
I have the Diamond CR8900A quad band for my Yaesu ft-8900R on a k-400 mount on the bottom of my Dodge Caravan tail gate.
Comet 2X4SR on the 4Runner and recently put a 2X4SR on the Focus. Great antenna for 2m, 70cm, and GMRS. Also have the Comet UHV-4 when i feel like trying 10m and 6m FM.
Personally I like single band antennas and the longer the better. I use single band radios. Have separate antennas for 6M, 10M, 2M, 1 .25M, 70cm, 33cm, 23cm and GMRS on the roof of my 1 ton van. The 10M antenna puts me 8 inches over legal height. 13' 6" is legal height in PA and I'm at about 14' 2" to the tip of the 10M antenna. When I drive up to remote mountain top repeater sites it sounds like I'm playing drums as my antenna farm whacks tree branches. Also get lots of weird looks when going through drive through's.
With a van, that'd be easy to do
I think a half wave vertical would be great on 80 meter. Yes, it pushes the legal limit for a vehicle, but you only live once!
This would be working ALL the BANDS, ALL THE TIME!
@@markwirez And that's just the roof. I have a motorized fold down screwdriver antenna mounted on the passenger side that covers 10-80M. I can't drive with that one up. When it's tuned to the bottom end of 80M the height is near 20 feet to the tip.
Make a video showing the van!
On my sedan,I use a Laird dual band antenna on the roof. On my Jeep, I use a Comet SBB7 mounted to a tri-magnet mount on the hood. De n0km
I've used the Austin Metropolitan for several years. Been very happy with it, although recently, it hasn't done real well on 1.25cm. Checked it with my analyzer and it is no longer resonate on that band. It's lead a rough life. Still good on 2m and 70cm. Thinking about getting 2 and making a triband dipole. I have a Yaesu FT736 with a 1.25m module. I'm currently using a Comet SBB224NMO triband on the car and it is great.
I use MFJ 1412 B 1/2 L 2m 5/8x5/8 L .70m. One piece. Like a Timex watch. Willie E Coyote proof. Takes getting wacked by trees. Heard it is a a Comet knock off, or are from the same plant.
But if I have to part in a garage, a low level Rough Rider is used.
(Comet HP32FHN copy?)
im using the COMET CA 2X4 SR on my cars and on my airconditioner here at my Manhattan office on the 22nd floor.
Best 2 meter single band mag mount in my opinion is the Shark.
I have one on the roof of my 2015 Mack concrete truck and it takes a severe beating from tree limbs cause the truck of so tall
KE5MUG
I use a Comet SBB1 on my Ford Escape and a Comet 2x4SR on my Honda Pioneer 500 SxS.
I have one of the short larsen 's I can leave it on when going in and out of parking garages it works ok for its size.
Have had the best results with Comets on the mobiles.
Diamond SG7900, the best performing mobile antenna for 2m/70cm out there.
It even outperforms the Diamond X50 base station antenna.
Best antenna dualband running 2008-2024 imho. I have had Diamonds, Trams, Maxrad, Larsen and a few other brands I cant remember. The Comet SBB series, sun and weather faded loading coils still running like a champ. the sbb7 does have a tilt over scheme so you still get to keep that gain in your covered parking
The Diamond Quad band 10,6,2,70cm is a wonderful antenna, Although it is a bit fragile at the loading tip. I snapped the top coil form whacking a tree branch in the bush. If your a freeway driver with an 8900 quad band radio. its a good choice.
Random internet guy dropping his $0.02.. Lol.
Just ordered the diamond 8900a to go with the tyt 9800 quad band. Glad to here I didn't make a mistake.
I'm on the highway all over texas so sounds like it should work well.😁
Love the Comet antennas. I have one door mounted for my Freightliner and one roof mag mounted for my Siverado.
I like my Comet SBB7 dual band. I have it on my 2013 Tacoma with the fender mount.
Love my comet 2x4sr antenna!!!!
Comet sbb 224 2,220,440 tri band. Great for my KWood D74 . Great swr and will take some power if you run an amp.
Yes that one is good too
Signal Stick. And it's got an available mobile mount.
I have that sbb-2 with NMO mount on my Tesla with diamont lip mount on the back hatch, love it, works awesome.
I have a couple of antennas I use in the mobile. One being the Comet Sbb-5 and the other SBB-7. Both work well for me.
Those are both great
Currently using a Nagoya 700A dual band 38” folding antenna on NMO mount
That 19" Austin Triband looks pretty neat. Thanks
You bet
I’ve got the SBB-7 on my FTM-400 and the SBB-224 currently hooked to my 878 when it’s in the truck but hoping to get the 578 soon for it.
Comet CA2x4SR with a Comet HD-5M mount.This set up works great for me.
I use the sbb25. Yeasu ft2980. What a beast. I love having ridiculous antennas on my truck.
I have the Comet 12" B-10. Works surprisingly well though haven't checked SWR at GMRS freqs.
I use a Tram 1180 mag mount on my truck, works well, very broadband low swr...
@Ham Radio 2.0 I just ordered the anytone at5888uv iii this morning from let's get ready Inc. Couldn't find anyone with it in stock besides them
sbb5 mag mount on the roof of the dually.. running an icom 4100a
While its not documented anywhere except internet comments sections, the SR2x4NMO works well enough on the 220 (1.25Meter) band. Especially with the Anytone Tribanders.
I use the CSB-750 and love it.
Love the comet 2x4. Awesome.
Running a Comet 2x4SR terminated to UHF male. By far my favorite mobile I’ve had. I’ve considered switching out the mount for a Diamond k400 nmo and get the nmo version of the comet but not sure if it’s worth switching out yet.
The mount location and ground plane on a vehicle matters just as much as the type of antenna. A great antenna in a crappy location will be a crappy antenna. Also, get a SWR meter for the bands you're using and use it to tune the antenna in its installed location. Antennas may need to be tuned depending on COAX run length and mounting location the SWR meter is an invaluable tool.
Good video I like it!
Just one question. I have a yaesu aviation bands the radio is the FTA 850L and I don’t know what is the connector I will need to connect to a external antenna
All the ones I see are screw on the one I have is just like a Half turn the antenna is the male
Thanks also a good antenna for it
Looks like a lot of love for the CA 2X4SR😍. I have 3 of them on the roof of the Q-Mobile.
Spec is under 2:1 up to 460 MHz. That doesn't get to the GMRS repeater inputs at ~467.5 MHz, but mine are well under 2:1 up there and a bit beyond.
ALSO, they don't spec the 220 band at all, but I get a good SWR there as well! Fine, but so would a 52 ohm resistor, right? Well, performance is on par with a tri-band antenna that I swap on that mount (to the AnyTone 578 mobile). I talk to our wide-coverage 220 machine 40 miles out (only 5 watts from the AnyTone, or it would be farther). So AFAIC, it's a tri-band antenna. Maybe their modeling or performance tests don't let them spec it that way, but if you need wide-band coverage AND 220 (and I'm not telling you that you should or shouldn't, either), consider the CA 2X4.
Oh, and overall performance - I do note a SLIGHT performance loss compared to Comet SBB5. That bandwidth has to come from someplace, right? No free 🥪. How slight? A VERY noisy signal on the CA is a little less noisy on the SBB 5... just a little. I'm taking the trade. K4AAQ (King of Ham)
Thanks Gary
Great video, I’m temporarily running a Yeasu FT-60 with a Diamond MR77SMA mag mount antenna on the roof of my new truck, can I do better without drilling holes until I get a real mobile setup ? Thanks
Hello sir, hope you are doing well. I have the 8-hp plus and being playing with it for couple of days. This one touch freq search is great but one thing either I dont know who to change or it wont allow is I can only save the frequency I scanned only in zone 1. And I want it to save it in a different zone. Do you know if there is anyway we can change the zone in one touch search mode? I know I can pass the frequency later but if it has CTSS OR DCS is a pain in the but moving all those numbers. Thanks for any info and for all your videos. Huge fan here.
My problem is I have so much loss in the RG58U cable, that my 20watts on 70cm ends up being 8watts at the antenna, good gain is really going to help.
i am using the yaesu ft-857d and was using the atas 120 antenna but not really pleased with it. i wish there was a better version of that antenna that could auto tune and be an all mode antenna.. any suggestions would be greatly apppreciated. and sadly, life prevents me from being an active radio operator like i want to be but maybe in time. thank you for the great videos you always put out!
Any recommendations for mounting an antenna on an aluminum body F-150? I have a pano sunroof, so no drilling into the roof and while Bulletproof Diesel makes a cool mount for the 3rd backlight, it’s more expensive than a radio and an antenna. Any bed pocket stake mounts? Thanks.
Can I used this antennas on my ultralights? I used the yeasu radio and I need better signal
Thanks for any help
What do you think of the Compactenna?
I've only used it once but it worked well
The Best was 30 year's back and the Wilson 5000 but is a CB antenna
All the cool Elmer's live on the west Coast or south of me.
Is there a magnet mount for the Comet SSB1? Plan to run it into a vehicle handheld unit.
Sure. That antenna can have a UHF mount or an NMO mount and you can get mag mounts with either
Larsen for sure the best
do you know of antennas that could pick up 850s frequencies and lower?
Great lookin antenna's tnx for the video Man!
Thanks
I use a Diamond SG7900. works great. Jason, have you done a review on the Ailunce HD2 yet? I haven't seen it yet.
Not yet, it's coming soon
Which do you like better… the 5100 or the FTM-500?
Looks like the Comtelco antenna would also cover on 915mhz for non-licensed LORA use.
Yes
What about the Comet CA-2X4SB..?
I have a yaesu 991a I am looking for a antenna for it I am from Ireland 🇮🇪 just starting up wat antenna do you think
I have an nmo mount cb antenna dead center of my crew cab Chevy roof.... Where should I place my vhf uhf antenna on the roof?
It doesn't really matter - I mean, it can, but with mobile installs, you have such limited space. Just put it in the center back or center front of the cab
What do you do for a aluminum superduty? Looking for suggestions on a 23 f350.
I have a 2023 F-150 and installed Bullet Proof Diesel's 3rd brake light antenna mount. It's pricey... but it's been a solid mount for me without trouble for a year while providing the best location for an antenna on the truck. I'm using a short 12" Comet B-10 because it clears my 8' garage door, so it stays on all the time except for carwashes (I use a rain cap through the wash), and the performance is surprising for such a small antenna. If I were to do it again, I'd go for the dual antenna mount option, so I could use it for a combo of Ham (Comet B-10) & CB (Larsen NM027B) or even GMRS, for a real clean installation without antenna's scattered on the roof/hood/bedstake... Anyway, if you'd like to see my radio/antenna install, pics are on IG @azcamperpete on June 16th, 2023. Cheers and 73. Pete in Arizona - KI7LIL
Will you be doing anymore set-ups out at Lake Ray Roberts ? I enjoyed thse get togethers.
I'd like to
I heard you said that u are using the messi cable for your car radio, are u using too the messi nmo mounts and connectors?
Connectors, yes. Mounts no.
Ive got the Sirio 5000 performer and Sirio Carbonium for 11 metre use!!
On a 1999 Toyota Celica
As Randy would say
... it impresses the chicks 😉
Word to the wise... always be careful buying antennas from the internet as there are loads of chinese knock offs. Diamond in particular suffer, as do Nagoya for their HT antennas.
That do everything comet antenna CA-2x4SR will also cover the marine band. Just be careful with that antenna on an aluminum body vehicle like 2015 and newer F150 trucks. The aluminum on the roof isn't thick enough to keep all that weight, stiffness, and wind load from tin canning and possibly damaging the metal roof while driving.
The 3rd brake light antenna mount from Bulletproof Diesel is perfect for my new F-150. The aluminum roof does not allow use of a mag mount & not gonna drill a hole. That location gives maximum performance for my antenna which is simple to unscrew for the car wash. There is a choice of single or dual antenna mounts, NMO or PL259, as well as the option of adding cargo and other special purpose lights.
some sort of larson antenna from a swap meet,trimmed it abit,works perfectly on 2 meters,and 440 and very good on gmrs,actually better then the high gain gmrs antenna from a unnamed gmrs company
If the antenna is taller, it will have more gain
Which mag mount would you recommend for the comet 2x4SRNMO?
Any NMO magmount will work
I use a Laird dual band
I have a Uniden SDS200, I am installing it in my truck and I need a antenna for it. What do you recommend? I have a Comet 3D5M installed in my roof for the antenna so it needs to by UHF or PL-259.
Thanks
Honestly I have very little experience with scanner antennas. I would get on Amazon and see what you could find there by just searching for them
High gain isn't necessarily a good thing. If the transmitter and receiver are at different heights say one is down in a valley and the other is at the top, the antenna pattern on a high gain antenna is flat enough where they may not hear each other. In those situations, a 2-3dB antenna is what you want because they will have a broader radiation pattern.
UHF VHF Dual Band 136-174MHz 400-470MHz Magnetic Base Mount Antenna with Ground Plane Kit, Vehicle Mobile Ham Radio Antenna with PL-259 Male Connector for Car Amateur Radio Marine VHF Radio can you let me know about this antenna.
I’m waiting on my FTM500 from HRO Plano to be delivered. Why do you run 2 UHF/VHF radios in the same truck? Not judging, I was thinking about doing the same thing but I couldn’t find a practical reason that my wife would accept. 😂
A few reasons -
First, they both have different DV modes. While I don't care about DSTAR much, I have it. The Yaesu does Fusion, which I use more often.
The Yaesu does APRS and often it is just running that and nothing else. Then the Icom is my main radio for repeaters and Simplex.
I can also monitor 3 frequencies or repeaters at the same time, instead of just 2 with 1 radio.
@@HamRadio2 and that’s what I told my wife, but she said I was nuts. Apparently the kids college funds are more important than my ability to do the same as you. LOL
But seriously, I need a radio that has the ability to find close by repeaters when I’m traveling, but one that also does APRS. I haven’t dabbled into the DV modes yet, but that’s on my horizon. It also needs it to live in my vehicle, so being easily concealed is a must. I can’t have my wife thinking I’m bringing home another radio/blaster/dog/etc. The closest thing I’ve found that fits my requirements is the Icom 705, but I find it’s too big and heavy for a temporary/movable mount. I was thinking about an RFinder, but I didn’t want the power limitations of an HT (also a con for the 705). Plus my code plug experiences have not been the greatest, so much so that I would prefer to avoid DMR completely. Any suggestions?