Looking for a 2/70 vertical base antenna

[BenMara]

As title states looking for a 2m/70cm vertical base antenna, would love it to be all aluminum(metal). Havent had any luck with previous antenna made of fiberglass domes ex Hustler G7-144. Ive been comtemplating using a Slim Jim (Two Way Electronix), Ed Fong base antenna
But recently the Force 12 Ruby-270s has caught my interest. For me its all about performance, im currently running a Arrow OSJ 146/440 and not impressed.

Can some one give me some direction?

Tkx
Ben

 

[Beetle]

As title states looking for a 2m/70cm vertical base antenna, would love it to be all aluminum(metal). Havent had any luck with previous antenna made of fiberglass domes ex Hustler G7-144. Ive been comtemplating using a Slim Jim (Two Way Electronix), Ed Fong base antenna
But recently the Force 12 Ruby-270s has caught my interest. For me its all about performance, im currently running a Arrow OSJ 146/440 and not impressed.

Can some one give me some direction?

Tkx
Ben

BUILD A GROUND PLANE ANTENNA FOR 2 METERS AND MORE - SIMPLE AND EASY!

Build one of these. It's 1/4 wavelength on 2M, and 3/4 wavelength on 70cm. Simplicity itself, cheap and effective. Test it at a comfortable height (6 feet or so), and when it's good, figure out a good mounting location (experiment! That's what it's all about.)

 

[BenMara]

I did the comparison on simplex to a station 15miles away as the crow flies. Radio is a IC-V8000 on high power, antenna is at 32ft at the connection point of the coax, coax is 50ft of rg8x, antenna is surrounded and amongst oak trees, We compared the arrow to a Hustler G7-144.

 

[towerdog]

When I got my ticket I made a vertical dipole for 2 meters out of coax from a junk marine antenna, some crap wire, solder, a roll of tape and a plastic curtain rod, attached to a nylon string running from the ground up to the second story roof. Started out just measuring the wire and cutting near length, then used a CB meter (inaccurate) to get a ball park figure.
Ran the coax out about 2 feet then down at a 45' angle brought SWR down to about 1.3:1 @ 146.5. (with a real meter the second time)

Everyone gave me hell for running a dipole. Everyone on the repeater 180 miles away said I needed to build j-pole or 1/4 ground plane, they have all this gain they said.

I was near the top of a 3,500' mountain, the flat radiation angle of the dipole worked out perfect, none of my 80 watts wasted into space.

God forbid the wrong people find out you run a converted commercial radio, but thats a another story.

A 1/4 wave is good when you are down in a hole trying to hit a repeater.

Otherwise I would just buy some badass stacked colinear or make one, like these Google Image Result for http://www.sm0vpo.com/antennas/7db-colinear_7-layout.gif

 

[Moleculo]

I know you said that you don't like fiberglass antennas, but I might change your mind with this Diamond antenna that advertises 9.3/13db gain:

Diamond® Antenna ~ X700HNA Dualband Base/Repeater Antenna

 

[Beetle]

I know you said that you don't like fiberglass antennas, but I might change your mind with this Diamond antenna that advertises 9.3/13db gain:

Diamond® Antenna ~ X700HNA Dualband Base/Repeater Antenna

That gain is shown in "db", which doesn't mean a thing. "Db" referenced to a dipole? Isotropic?

If it's dBd, is that "decibels over a dipole" or "decibels over a Dosy"?

Seriously, I wouldn't consider any antenna from a company that insults people's intelligence by declining to specify characteristics such as this.

 

[KingCobra_CDX882]

Then I can Tell you..
The Diamond antennas are Excellent

 

[W5LZ]

At the risk of totally ruining their reputation by saying that I own a few of them, the Comet 'GP' series of 'base' antennas work nicely. You do have to assemble them according to the instructions, but they tell you how to do that, even include an Allen-wrench to do it with. I can't tell you what the gain is, several different models in graduated 'steps' to suit your purposes.
They are not indestructible. They are enclosed in fiberglass. They are tall. They are not a 'flat' 1:1 SWR on both bands. But then, I've never seen any other antenna that don't have the same sort of characteristics. They do work very nicely for me. They'd work even better if I could get them higher. Oh well...
- 'Doc

(Diamond and Comet are both from NCG so I figure the biggest difference is cosmetics.)

 

[Beetle]

Then I can Tell you..
The Diamond antennas are Excellent

"Excellent" is purely subjective. If they actually test their antennas on a real testing range, they should have the full specifications right there with objective evidence to back their claims up -- especially at shorter wavelengths like 2M and 70cm. Why don't they publish them along with their slick advertising? Anybody can claim an antenna has a huge amount of gain. The question as always is: Gain over WHAT?

 

[BenMara]

I do more local simplex then repeater, the Hustler G7-144 did great in simplex and repeater work, but it doesnt have 70cm, and im not a fan of weathered fiberglass.
The arrow didnt perform very well on simplex, but i can still hit the local repeaters and is all metal.

The current antennas im looking are the Force 12 Ruby-270s, Hustler G6-270R, couple different Diamond Dual band models, or even making a Copper Cactus

Hope improving my HF antenna isnt as a pain as this U/Vhf antenna

 

[glsmith1544]

VHF/UHF base antenna

N9TAX Slim Jim - Google it & learn why I love mine!

Mine is in my 3rd floor apt. attic. When I first got it I had it hanging in front of my window hooked to an Alinco DJ-V57 HT dual band & people couldn't believe how I hit the repeaters! Now w/my TM281A & the antenna in the attic, I'm a Super Station in an apartment! I look forward to having it outside & higher in the air someday!

For a little over $20.00 you CAN'T go wrong.

Geoff S.

 

[KingCobra_CDX882]

"Excellent" is purely subjective. If they actually test their antennas on a real testing range, they should have the full specifications right there with objective evidence to back their claims up -- especially at shorter wavelengths like 2M and 70cm. Why don't they publish them along with their slick advertising? Anybody can claim an antenna has a huge amount of gain. The question as always is: Gain over WHAT?

Perhaps so..
However they do give the ratings..
Additionally.in real world...
with 1/4 watt at height of 52 ft at base.. would hit repeaters 60 miles away with extreme ease..
in an area full of rf (nyc)
Plus as far as fiberglass goes...built quite strong

 

[BenMara]

Guess ill just run the arrow till funding permits upgrades of coax, antenna and/or raise in height of antenna.

 

[towerdog]

"Excellent" is purely subjective. If they actually test their antennas on a real testing range, they should have the full specifications right there with objective evidence to back their claims up -- especially at shorter wavelengths like 2M and 70cm. Why don't they publish them along with their slick advertising? Anybody can claim an antenna has a huge amount of gain. The question as always is: Gain over WHAT?

A wet noodle (dBw)

 

[dksac2]

The OPEK UV-300 or something similar as to the 300 part makes a fiberglass vertical, 8.3 DBi on 2M and 11.7 DBi on 70. It costs $100.00 and is every bit as good as the Comet or Diamond version at $200.00.

The one I have talks fantastic. I compared it to a Diamond X-300NA, same height and coax, same everything and the Diamond was not even close in distance with it's 6.5 DBi gain on 2 Meters.

I easily talk over 50 miles simplex, best VHF/UHF antenna I've seen for $100.

I even dropped it, broke some parts and tried to buy new parts. The USA distributor would not let me pay for any of them including postage, just sent all the parts right out-N/C.
You cannot get better customer service than that.

It's made just like the others inside. The only thing you need to do is to tape the sections where they screw togather, I've been told a little water sometimes gets blown past the threads, other than that, it is a fantastic talking antenna.

Very low SWR on both bands and the meter shows it puts full power to the antenna on both bands, something the diamond did not. It did on 2M, but was way down on 70 CM.

John