what are you running for antenna's on 2m

[dirtyjob]

seems to be some talk about ham antenna's lately and i'm wanting to see some antennas that you may run for 2m

heres my homemade 2m/440 jpole on 25ft of fiberglass tubing off my deck.

['Doc]

I'm using a Comet GP-9. I've also used a 'J'-pole, a 1/4 gp, and others. The GP-9 works better than thw others for me. It's about 20 feet up. Does what I want it to do. The best in the world? Beats me...
- 'Doc

[dirtyjob]

i've read many reviews on that antenna, All good.

[Savoirfaire]

I have a Shakespeare Collinear Vertical.

Also, I have a 215 WB Boomer.

However I only use the one for horizontal at the new qth because they have 15.5 DB gain each. Awesome antenna on 2 meters.

73 de Frank, N4SLR
10 X-Ray 47 (SSB)
Savoirfaire (AM)

[dirtyjob]

it would be great to "see" these antennas so others could know what we are talking about

['Doc]

I need to correct my previous post! I don't have a Comet GP-9, it's a GP-6. I'd love to have a GP-9 but can't afford one (it ain't easy being this cheap!). I think they work well enough that I have three of them for different purposes.
- 'Doc

---

April 23 2013

And I should have included this in that last post but didn't think of it in time.

These things are not 'perfect' by any means, they have their own foibles. One of them is putting the thing together. The part inside the top section has to be pulled out a bit to connect it to the part in the bottom section. The connector and Allen-wrench to do that is included with the antenna and instruction on it are there also. If this connecting isn't done right you will definitely have problems! Another thingy that I had problems with is the small bolt that holds the antenna in the mount. If you don't drop that @#$ thing at least once, and can get everything lined up right the first time, you have performed a miracle! I guess that's more a personal problem than one with the antenna, but be aware of it, you know?
- 'Doc

PS - I always take those 'reviews' with a large grain of salt! They at least give you things to keep in mind, but they are all 'subjective', not 'objective'.

[Slyguy]

I run a Diamond F23H and an air band base antenna I cut for 2m for base use and a Comet CSB-790 on the jeep.

[Fisherman100]

Diamond SX-200. Good reports. Good distances. With 75 watts.
73s

[North Texas Mudduck]

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[MDYoungblood]

I haven't yet but when I get my ticket I will most likely build J-Poles for the VHF/UHF bands. The need for a beam isn't necessary in my area with all the repeaters around.

3's

Greg

[231]

I use a CX-333 tri-band vertical at the moment. I have a couple of beams I'll be putting up but don't have any SSB capabilities in the shack for 2m at the moment...so it's sort of a moot point anyway. Have a 13 element Boomer I'll be using for SSB though, and home made 5 element I'll be combining for vertical simplex. The 6 element Moxon driven 6m beam will be mounted on the same mast, and vertical dual band GP6 above them all. Someday anyway. I have everything to do it with but absolutely dread the city permit process as it's very expensive and a must lest it cost me thousands in litigation again. Long story...but my small city doesn't like antennas...except their own or cell towers they can charge thousands to.

I'm not real active on VHF/UHF though. There are plenty of open repeaters around here I can hit with my HT's. So more often than not that's what I do or use my 50w FM rig in the shack.

231

[dirtyjob]

Just wondering if anyone uses the Comet gp9, I have decided to take my jpole out of service and leaning towards the gp9 based on reviews i have read but i would value anyone opinion that uses one here, I was also interested in the diamond x510 but from what i read the gp9 out performs it.

[Punkin Head]

Just wondering if anyone uses the Comet gp9, I have decided to take my jpole out of service and leaning towards the gp9 based on reviews i have read but i would value anyone opinion that uses one here, I was also interested in the diamond x510 but from what i read the gp9 out performs it.

I have been eyeballing this antenna myself. I currently run a J-pole thats in my window but thought about getting one of these to put on the rail of the back deck. Just a pricey little bugger lol

[Slyguy]

The GP9 is a great antenna as far as omnis are concerned. I have an old school version of it and love it.

[dirtyjob]

what attracts me is not only the gain but its size "16' 9"" right now my small copper jpole does a decent job, i can hit repeaters 30 miles off but only very local repeaters seam to give me a signal "repeater less than 5 miles away only register 4 s units" im hoping an antenna of higher gain and larger size put up 25 feet where my j pole is will receive a whole lot better, sometimes as it stands i have to kill the squelch to hear a semi local repeaters traffic.

One thing that does concern me with the gp9 is its 3 piece construction "durabilty" and ease of assembly. One review i read the author did state it's almost to good receive wise and that was music to my ears. Price wise i can get one at the local HRO for 2 bills, 5 miles up the road so im comfortable with that.

[Slyguy]

They are pretty sturdy. Up where you live I suppose ice could be an issue but I wouldn't worry about the wind.

[str8stroke]

Diamond X-300A mounted at a hair razing 11 feet. Works well cause..... With conditions I talked a verified authinefied homicide simplexified 120 miles with 55 watts on it. Pretty neat I must say.

[johnny cat]

seems to be some talk about ham antenna's lately and i'm wanting to see some antennas that you may run for 2m

heres my homemade 2m/440 jpole on 25ft of fiberglass tubing off my deck.

How does that work for you as I'm thinking of purchasing one and a 2 meter Yaesu FT-2900R radio as I passed my Tech test this last Saturday.

73's

[dirtyjob]

my small copper jpole does a decent job, i can hit repeaters 30 miles off but only very local repeaters seam to give me a signal "repeater less than 5 miles away only register 4 s units"

other than the above i have no issues with my copper jpole

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Wednesday, 02 October 2013, 20:47 PM

btw, congrats on passing you technician class

[North Texas Mudduck]

update:
been using a 6 element 2meter beam been doing a little talking on usb on 2meter

[1 ADAM 12]

Diamond F22A...10.5ft fiberglass vertical mounted on a tower about 20ft off the ground. Absolutely love this antenna for 2 meters. Worked a repeater in TN and talked to a guy in Alabama....I live in KY. Good conditions that day.

[Acorn]

seems to be some talk about ham antenna's lately and i'm wanting to see some antennas that you may run for 2m

heres my homemade 2m/440 jpole on 25ft of fiberglass tubing off my deck.



How does that work for you as I'm thinking of purchasing one and a 2 meter Yaesu FT-2900R radio as I passed my Tech test this last Saturday.

73's

Congrats on passing the Tech test......now on to General!

73,
Gary - KB9VGD