Print This Page
Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
this is not a very good antenna i was puting it up and it feel off of my roof.... this is not a good antenna at all do not by it ... it is a wast of money and cost 2 much
I have had my Discone Antenna since 1994 for use with my Realistic 2022 scanner and have had no problems with it. I have been very happy with it and when the time comes i'll replace it with another Discone. My antenna is 65' off the ground and the reception from Austin and San Antonio is like they were next door.
from Howard Pa on 10/25/2008
The rods broke in the wind but I do live on the side of a mountain.Rods are expensive to replace.The small ones come in a packet of 10 (I think) but the larger rods are individually sold and EXPENSIVE.In 2 years I have replaced 6 small rods and 4 large rods.
from Boonville Indiana on 10/1/2008
I use this model for Amateur Radio communications. The antenna has been in use for four years and moved multiple times. It is still sturdy, strong and dependable. Like all antenna's, they should be checked and serviced for dependable use, this model provides for easy service and setup. My antenna has been exposed to four winters, two tornadoes within 1/4 mile, hurricane force winds at 60 to 70 miles per hour; and survived. Wind load is minimum for the average pole setup and field use. I would recommend to any Amateur Radio enthusiast.
I have used this item for a couple of years now and it works great. Reception is wonderful for the size of this unit. Of course, the higher you get it, the better the signal is. This antenna is actually very durable and sturdy as long as it is assembled and installed correctly. Follow the instructions provided to assemble and mount it using 1-1/4" antenna mast. The people who I've talked to that had trouble with it, weren't mounting it on a mast, just sitting it on the ground! You can't do that. Mine has withstood tropical storm winds and snow/ice storms and still performs flawlessly.
from Colorado Springs on 8/22/2008
Easy to assemble, good reception at least until the elements start to fall off on windy days.
Elements fell off . Not a very well built antenna.
It went up without to much of a problem. the mast was a bit of a nightmare but that was because I used my own. The antenna itself is very sensitive and one slight move and you lose reception, therefore would not work outdoors. I am somewhat dissapointed but not surprised [...]
from Coldwater, Michigan on 7/12/2008
This thing is great recieved and transmits good....the tubing has not broke of after 2 years of service.....obviously people who complain didn't put it together right!!!
Worked well but even after installing the radials with loctite(tm) and a wrench... one still came off after 9 months. [...]
from Allentown, PA on 7/6/2008
Much better reception than I expected from discone. Radials are a tad flimsy and care needs excercised when building and mounting. If you live in tornado alley or along the coast, probably not a good choice. Up here in the Northeast, the winds and ice did not break the antenna. If you need that kind of durability, pay the extra for a Diamond discone or switch antenna types.
Broken radials here also. The weak link seems to be the brass threaded inserts that allow connection of the stainless steel radials. I'm going to try replacing all the brass inserts with stainless steel 8x32 bolts.
I dont know why people have problems with these antennas i have had mine for 3 years now on a 50 FT Tower without the arms breaking off...
from SE Michigan on 5/9/2008
First of all it is made of hollow radials and yes they are not as durable as solid steel. With that being said, if you use a wrench to tighten in the radials with the supplied nuts and add a bit of non-conductive silicone adhesive it will work fine and not fall apart.
Reception is as good as a 2-meter sleeve antenna and SWR is 1.2-1.5 to 1 across 2-meter band and nearly flat on 440.
You have to invest a little time and effort into securing everything. Don't rush it....It does work as described and I am happy with it. The price is a bit steep for the construction but overall its good.
(No I do not work for Radio Shack)
from Indiana on 4/27/2008
I'm sorry to say I wish I would have bought another product. This antenna is terrible. Three radials broke as I was putting this thing up! My copper J-pole gets better reception than this worthless discone. Please stay away.
Very poor design. After a windy day you'll find antenna elements scattered all over the yard. Unable to secure elements leads. The screw-on elements and locking nut do NOT work well. The wind loosens the elements enough through time that you'll start to find them on the ground. NOT recommended for a serious discone antenna. Will work fine IF used indoors ONLY (but that defeats the purpose of a better signal)!!
Was in use on a tower for two weeks before I found the flimsy tubing in the grass with my lawn mower
from East Meadow, NY on 4/17/2008
As a wide band antenna this does work very well, the only issue is the poor construction quality. Very flimsy with hollow radials makes for an inevitable failure, maybe not the first year but it will break in time!!! If you're looking for an antenna that's both a great performer and solid construction take a look at the Diamond D-130J. The price difference is not really that different but the quality is like comparing a Yugo to a BMW....
The only positive is you can get it at any local Radio Shack store and you can order replacement parts very easy.
This antenna does work but is very cheap and is pretty expensive compared to other discone antennas this antenna has quality issues save your money and buy a real discone antenna. The radials on the radioshack antenna break real easy! This antenna would be a good buy if it was half the price, everyone I have seen that has had this installed for any period find that it starts falling apart. (cheap crimped on parts)
from southampton nj on 4/7/2008
Overall antenna works well. Pleanty strong enough. Not flimsy at all. I only use it for my scanner. I would appreciate any information on how much to cut off the antenna to get the best reception on 50mhz band.
from Northern Kentucky on 3/28/2008
Bought this hoping for great reception all around. I was wrong. Paid quite a bit for it too. Way over priced and my rubber ducky performed better at receiving. Not good in urban areas. I expected a lot more for the price. Good with transmitting on the 144mhz band though. Bout all I can say good about it.
i hook it up every thing went good all part were there. i love it i hear around 100 miles away i live in jeffersonville vermont its very hilley up here. i would say if you need one buy this one its up there in $. around [$] . cant go to supper for that. just one more thing check to see if you need a bnc
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
So far I love this antenna. Great signal. I have received signals from about 70-90 miles so far. I've been using it for about 2 weeks and it seems like the higher I put it up, the better it gets. This is my first outdoor antenna. The elements screwed in tight not loose. I actually put it together without the nuts on the elements (temporarily) and it lived through 2 days of very high winds (50 mph gusts) and a thunderstorm! I don't think it's as flimsy other say it is. Unless you just need your antenna to be solid metal through and through. The elements can bend easily if you don't treat it right, if your careful and don't mess with it I think it will last for years.
from Simi Valley, California on 1/29/2008
Over all this unit is great, I have had it for about 5 years with no problems. As stated the threads on the radials are little lose due to improper tapping or threaded studs being over tapped but if you use the nuts that are supplied and tighten them down everything becomes very secure. the unit works great indoors and outdoors on my 60ft tower. Paid [$] for it back in the day but price is still worth it as stainless is up in price.
I bought this antenna several years ago and it worked great for reception. It didn't last long though. I came home one day to find it in pieces laying in my driveway.
the unit picks up signal from over 100 miles away, but the radials continue to brake off.
I am going to try and purchase some replacements from radio shack parts.
from Southern California on 10/22/2007
I have had on for a number of years. Within the first year all of the lower radials broke off. The horizontal radials are intact and it still gets good reception within 100 miles. I was going to replace it with another until I saw the current price!
I read a few people whining about this being flimsy and falling apart, i think they just didn't assemble it right. Ive had mine up for years, on a high ridge, on a 24 foot pole. Its been encased in ice, blasted with wind sheers that uprooted trees nearby, and this antenna has yet to get one loose screw on it or stop working. I use it for a police scanner and it ROCKS right out of the box. Its a little high priced but I guess you get what you pay for!
I have been using the same antenna since 1993, It has traveled everywhere I have been transfered, including some pretty wicked Wisconsin and Pennsylvania winters. The radials are still intact and the antenna is working great
I see some people complaining about the radials breaking and some people saying they have no trouble. I bought this antenna back in 1996 or 7 and it has withstood some extreme weather and none of my radials broke. Maybe there was a design change? This is a great antenna in my estimation.
I use my antenna on the 144 MHZ ham band. Also, I use it as a scanner antenna. It has stainless hardware and has withstood hurricane force winds, and the elements for over a decade. No problems at all.
from Richard on 2/28/2007
best outside antenna i ever had.6" of my roof to try it out and it is great not going up futher RC kma-1-fb
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
This antenna is so lightweight and flimsy. It is guaranteed to fall apart. It can't take much wind. My Icom discone was much better constructed with solid elements, not hollow.
from Curtis, WA on 1/10/2007
This antenna is well worth the cost if you are looking for a multi-band antenna for use in Amateur Radio. The SWR stays even for wide band use and assembly is for the most part a snap. Unfortunately the elements can break off with a moderate wind and even a little sparrow is heavy enough if they sit on one. Getting replacement parts is a nightmare and so fabricating replacement elements was a huge issue. Although my elements ARE stronger. Great for use indoors or in the attic.
Good general purpose antenna. Receives everything from AM broadcast band to 800 and beyond. I'm using it for 2 meter tranmitting and a PCR1000 as a general receiver and it's good at both jobs. It is fragile though. The radials will break easily when assembling. I attached it to a plastic vent pipe with a 5 foot pole, and it's given good performance for several years. I recommend using high quality cable like RG-8 to keep losses low on the upper frequencies - I get good reception on the 800mHz band with RG-8. I was surprised that it worked very well with the PCR1000 in picking up shortwave and AM stations too.
Exceptional reception and transmitting in scanner and ham bands. Problem is, it is too flimsy. radials easily broken, even in a medium wind.
the best antenna i have had so far and i have been using base scanner antennas for about 15 yrs.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Had to replace all the radials with homemade solid metal rods. Made them from heavy gauge galvanised wire. Threaded them after cutting to length. Only sturdy part is the center radial. For the price you pay for this it should be made with stronger material.
This antenna is good i can pick up from at least 50 miles away with this antenna only problem is becareful with the rods the will bend eaisly
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
worst antenna i have ever had the basic outdoor antenna was way better
One of the Best Antenna i have had yet. Works GREAT!!!! I have gone thru 5 scanner antennas and this one tops it all. I live up in the mountains and pretty much receiving anything from Denver or local is pretty limited due to line of sight etc, but for some odd reason, this antenna lets me pick of a Airports Tower 60 miles away over mountains etc. Amazing antenna. I highly reccomend it. Tip to the other guy- it would probably be a good idea to take the antenna down during a hurricane.
The Discone was fantastic, however ... one of last year's hurricanes picked up debris and broke 3 short radial rods. Radio Shack parts Dept can't find replacement parts!
Its a greta antenna when its in one piece. Unfortunatly, the short and long radials break with some regularity. I used to be able to buy replacements but i can not longer find the parts.
as i have this discone up 25ft as i use it on my radio as it is part scanner / cb 1 to 40 as also i use this discone for a regular cb radio transmit
I thought picking up towns 20 to 25 miles away was good, but I wanted more. This Antenna now allows me to pick up things 60 to 75 miles away in all directions from Long Island ,N.Y. to S Central, Mass. and most of Rhode Island, not to mention the reception in Eastern, Ct. My range has tripled. Very pleased and it was a great investment.
This antenna this the best for the money. I am picking things up 50+ miles away and i am very happy about that. If you are looking for a good scanner antenna this is the prefect one for you
I purchased this antenna 3/31/06,it replaced a smaller RadioShack model. The difference was night & day. This is the BEST!! I didnt know what I was missing.
IT'S SIMPLY THE BEST. ALTHOUGH 3 NUTS WERE MISSING FROM BOX IT CAME IN. BOB