vhf/uhf base suggestions

[KingCobra_CDX882]

Perhaps it is more then $100 ..
The antenna is the Last place you should skimp on.
Your antenna is likely the Most important part of your system.

I had used the Comet GP-9 for many years it it was an Excellent antenna (if not to add 1.2 Ghz in a vertical i likely would still be using it )

However..the shorter GP-3 (and the diamond version is only so so)

 

[Se7en]

...
The antenna is the Last place you should skimp on.
Your antenna is likely the Most important part of your system.

Yes 100% correct.

When I did some simplex tests between a diamond cr320a triband on 2m ( antenna is 1/4 on 2m) vs. A diamond nr22l.

The NR22l out performed the cr320a antenna by a 4 s units(?) as for audio what a huge difference...

I am going to purchase the comet cx-333 its cheapest without compromising quility and or gain.
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[WA8ZYT]

The NR22l out performed the cr320a antenna by a 4 s units(?) as for audio what a huge difference...

Okaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy................

 

[Se7en]

The NR22l out performed the cr320a antenna by a 4 s units(?) as for audio what a huge difference...

Okaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy................

Ok u caught me. More like 2 s units simplex

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[Captain Kilowatt]

Ok u caught me. More like 2 s units simplex

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I don't think he was talking about the increase in signal strength. If the antenna made a difference in the audio then you would make a great Jo Gunn customer. :laugh:

 

[Se7en]

I don't think he was talking about the increase in signal strength. If the antenna made a difference in the audio then you would make a great Jo Gunn customer. :laugh:

Haha omg... I was talking about quiting less static in the voice part of the transmission

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[Captain Kilowatt]

Haha omg... I was talking about quiting less static in the voice part of the transmission

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OK that I will grant you but that is the increase in signal making that happen,less noise. Nothing really changes with the audio itself. I just had to say that because there are a lot of folks that think the antenna will boost their audio. After all, the great Jo Gunn antennas have both RF gain and audio gain. Hell even Radio Shack used to sell TV antennas made for the "new" color TV's when they first came out. Now I hear that there are new HD TV antennas out to get the best out of the HD signal. :laugh: I am sure someone may disagree with my statement but I shall not go back down that long and bumpy road again trying to educate the uneducatable. I have probable already said more than I should have about audio gain from an antenna.

 

[Se7en]

OK that I will grant you but that is the increase in signal making that happen,less noise. Nothing really changes with the audio itself. I just had to say that because there are a lot of folks that think the antenna will boost their audio. After all, the great Jo Gunn antennas have both RF gain and audio gain. Hell even Radio Shack used to sell TV antennas made for the "new" color TV's when they first came out. Now I hear that there are new HD TV antennas out to get the best out of the HD signal. :laugh: I am sure someone may disagree with my statement but I shall not go back down that long and bumpy road again trying to educate the uneducatable. I have probable already said more than I should have about audio gain from an antenna.

I 100% agree.

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[WA8ZYT]

If you want to have some fun, go to Radio Shack and ask for a Low Speed HDMI cable for your TV!

 

[Se7en]

If you want to have some fun, go to Radio Shack and ask for a Low Speed HDMI cable for your TV!

LOL I'm going to try that.

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[KingCobra_CDX882]

I will also..

This just sounds like it will be too funny...
Will need bring my Hidden cams to record it... lol

 

[K4BH]

Well; if the eHam reviews can be believed - the Jetstream JTB5 does not have a decent reputation - one of the worst I've read about.
Maybe 821 owns one and can say something to the contrary.
As far as the Comet CX-333; that gets one of the best antenna reviews I have read on eHam. But it isn't $100 either . . .

The CX-333 is not a good choice (I have one). The 2-meter SWR curve is best at 142.5 MHz. It is relatively narrow, considering that transmitting for 2-meter FM is between 144.5 to 147.99 MHz. According to my Comet antenna analyzer it could not adequately cover the repeater sub-bands on 2 meters. I found this out because I noticed that my TS-2000 was only putting out 25 watts on one of the repeater channels, and the other hams had trouble hearing me through that repeater. The SWR at the input frequency of the repeater was 3.8:1. I'm going to try to tune the antenna, but that will probably de-tune the other bands.

 

[Blackcat630]

The CX-333 is not a good choice (I have one). The 2-meter SWR curve is best at 142.5 MHz. It is relatively narrow, considering that transmitting for 2-meter FM is between 144.5 to 147.99 MHz. According to my Comet antenna analyzer it could not adequately cover the repeater sub-bands on 2 meters. I found this out because I noticed that my TS-2000 was only putting out 25 watts on one of the repeater channels, and the other hams had trouble hearing me through that repeater. The SWR at the input frequency of the repeater was 3.8:1. I'm going to try to tune the antenna, but that will probably de-tune the other bands.

It's unfortunate to hear your results. I also run a cx 333 mounted on a stand off at roughly 36ft. I have been satisfied with my results. 1.5 at 144mhz and 1.7 at 148mhz. 146mhz right at 1.0. On 220 I usually chat with some locals 20-30 mi out on 223.500 simplex. It's 1.0 on this freq. My mfj 259c doesn't cover uhf so I can't give exact figures. According to my swr meter it's acceptable throughout the band portion i use. Weekly I chat with some elmers on 446.000 simplex w 10 watts. They are 20-30miles out. I can only compare the 333 to a diamond x50 and x200. On 2m/70cm it seems to work as well if not better than them. I also have a buddy that runs a 333 at 20 ft and he's pleased with his results. You might have a defective 333 or possibly a problem somewhere else. Hopefully you can figure it out. 73...