So my puppy chewed the last 2 inches off my stock vx6 antenna. I have 3 extras, a diamond RH-3 about 1.75 inch long but its bnc. also have a 17inch bnc i think its MFJ, and a comet i think about 17in superflex whip. I am looking for something in the 3-8 inch to replace the stock. any suggestions?
While parousing the Comet website, they have a mobile dualband antenna CA-2x4SR made for search and rescue here are the specs. I think im gona replace my truck ones with these. They are fold downs so will be good for me and underground parking.. the only problem is i have NMO mounts and there are PL289
| CA-2x4SR |
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BROADBAND VHF/UHF Dual Band Antenna
CA-2×4SR: Designed to assist Search & Rescue Volunteers and Professionals
1.5:1 or less SWR: 140-160/435-465MHz Gain: 3.8/6.2dBi Max Power: 150 watts Length: 40 inches Connector: PL-259 Fold-over hinge included The CA-2x4SR is a broad-band antenna designed for those needing voice communications on the ham radio, land mobile, and FRS frequency ranges. When the amateur radio community is working together with local search and rescue and other public service agencies, the CA-2x4SR antenna allows TX and RX capability in both bands! The coverage area and gain provided by the CA-2x4SR is remarkable. Whether used on VHF or UHF or both, it is an asset to the communications needs of amateurs and land mobile users simultaneously. |
That sounds like a great antenna. The fold over ability really helps getting in and out of garages in the winter – much more convenient than jumping out and unscrewing the antenna.
I have had experience with a couple of Maldols. One is about an inch long and very flexible. The other is a 50/144/440 MHz 3 inch long antenna (MH-511 ??). Both are definitely strong signal environment antennas but very convenient for vertical chest carriers or every day use. I usually have to keep a longer “duck” handy if I plan on any serious Tx where the repeater or other station is not “local”.
Does the antenna fold-over just by hitting an obstacle or do you have to get out and do it yourself?
A.
RadioWorld lists it for $85 CDN.
There is generally a spring mechanism and slot in the antenna base. You pull the antenna up against the spring tension (~1/2 inch) and then bend the antenna over.
The other way to do this is to get a fold over antenna mount. Some of them are even remote controlled so you can hit a button and the antenna drops parallel to the roof.
Peter
I picked up the MH509 for the vx6.. works pretty good, i can trip most of the repeater from my basement.
Whats the minimum safe distance between mobile antennas? I currently have a hair over 6 feet between the 2 antennas for the 2 FT7800. if i put the ft8100 back into service for aprs then the antenna would have to go in the middle.
Nic
I have run several (ex 3 or 4 ) radios without any problems. I generally run no higher than 10-25 watts routinely. When I have had to run higher power, I would turn off other radio(s) ( out of an abundance of caution) if in the same band but I am also sure I have forgot to do that on many occasions without issue. The worst you would get is a big squawk from an adjacent radio. Some of the earlier solid state RF amplifier transistors were more sensitive to high power near fields but I believe todays radios are pretty robust.
We used this antenna with Peter’s repeater this weekend to support Winterman. Before firing it up, I put the antenna on the analyzer and confirmed that SWR was under 2.0 for the entire rated spectrum. Interestingly, the swr was higest in the VHF amateur portion of the band and actually dropped in the 151 MHz range.