2m ham antenna choices

[wildsmith]

The Diamond 285 is plastic (it has a base loading coil), all the other Diamond's I've had have been metal (centre loading coils IIRC). The plastic on the 285 is not overly fragile, mine must have took a pretty good whack to break it, but it did break. I don't know anything about the Larsen's.

 

[VanGo]

It would make sense to have the antenna base designed for a "break-away" application, but structural stable enough to be durable to take abuse. I was able to add the 285 to the order, I'll report back once the order arrives.

 

[jonheld]

My apologies Jon for the informative hijack...

Don't be silly. This is all good info.
I've been holding off purchasing anything. I have the same question posted on eham.net and am getting similar responses. Folks like the long steel whips like the Larsen 150. I will have to relocate my mount to the ARB or possibly use the hood mount you have. I like the idea of seeing the antenna as well.

 

[OGBeno]

I utilize two antennas:

Long range communication, out of trees: Comet SBB1 (NMO mount)

In the trees: Comet SBB2 (NMO Mount)

Never had any issues.

 

[jonheld]

I utilize two antennas:

Long range communication, out of trees: Comet SBB1 (NMO mount)

In the trees: Comet SBB2 (NMO Mount)

Never had any issues.

Where is your mount?

 

[OGBeno]

Where is your mount?

Upper tail gate door. Two thick ground straps to large body bolts (with paint ground away). Good grounds to these antennas are essential, in my amatuer experience.

 

[sl33p3]

I utilize two antennas:

Long range communication, out of trees: Comet SBB1 (NMO mount)

In the trees: Comet SBB2 (NMO Mount)

Never had any issues.

is this backwards? the sbb1 is the stubby rubber ducky... it is my tree antenna. and +1 for NMO, its the only way to fly.

 

[OGBeno]

is this backwards? the sbb1 is the stubby rubber ducky... it is my tree antenna. and +1 for NMO, its the only way to fly.

Yes, I was dyslexic yesterday. First day back from vacation, you know how that goes.

 

[Mtn Mike]

Another vote for the Larson 150 5/8 NMO whip. They're cheap, reliable, and tough. That's why you see them on just about every commercial truck, emergency service vehicle, and bus that runs VHF.

Mike (longtime lurker)
KF7EHT

 

[VanGo]

Diamond 285, 51", whip mono-band antenna, Gamiviti 18 gauge antenna mount. Crappy cell phone pic....

 

[nuclearlemon]

i run the lakeview companys cheapy 1/4 and 1/2 iirc. very pleased with the performance. nmo connection makes it easy to swap out.

 

[pillguy]

This antenna has no gain, you want one with some gain to improve transmission, also, you want the best cable between antenna and radio you can get as this is the killer more so than swr ~1.0

cool antenna! that looks like one i have in BNC for my HT. seems it would def get out of the way!