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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Central TX on 10/28/2008
If you want a good, cheap 2 meter antenna this works quite well. It says 20" but the vertical and radials on mine are ~19" and you may have to trim it a hair to get the SWR down. I put it up about 15 feet in a tree and I can hear and get into repeaters a few counties over with a good signal. I also use it with my scanner and have equally good results. Pretty good value for the price.
from Chattanooga, TN on 10/20/2008
Purchased this antenna today and it only took about 10 minutes to assemble. Component quality is superb and screw-on radials were great idea. Coax to antenna adapter was available at Radio Shack too. Very pleased with over all antenna quality and performance.
Images shared by: gsownsbyAntenna atop Our Weather Station Pole
Tags: Picture of Product, Using Product
from Phoenix on 10/2/2008
I mounted this on my 1973 Dodge van, on the roof, just over the cab....on a custom mount I machined just for it.
It has stood there for nearly 10 years now, and only once did I lose a radial piece, and that was because I got on the roof and broke it off accidentally!
It's NOT easy to repair!
It is now on a trailer that I am using for camping, and it will stay there until I have to replace it...someday!
The mount is an aluminum tube 1 1/2 inch diameter by 16 inches tall, for clearance.
It is mounted into a 4 inch diameter aluminum "hub" that has 6 hold down bolts.
I also used black RTV silicone, to hold it together, and it does work!
"IF" this thing can take my driving at 80 mph on the freeway, then it will surely stand the winds around the house!
I bought this antenna 4 years ago to use with my Uniden BC785D. But since I hardly use the scanner a friend suggested hooking it to my HDTV since it covers TV as well. And what do you know, I pick up many of the local digital HDTV channels crystal clear.
from Lansing, MI on 8/25/2008
I have this antenna up about 25 feet. I get great reception on all the bands I scan, 30-800mhz. I even had to turn on the attenuator for the 150mhz band. Very simple to assemble, I used thread locker on the elements, which SCREW in, unlike some other antennas where the elements just slide into a hole and then get clamped down on. Nice low profile antenna, and a nice addition to my growing antenna farm.
This unit is AMAZING. Yes, the radials ARE flimsy, but I challenge you to purchase the materials to make a "good" one for [$] or under. My BEST range, believe it or not, has been AIR. I live in a small town in the middle of nowhere (search 'Emporium,PA'), then find may hollow road south of there. even living in the valley, I put my antenna on a cpvc(PLASTIC) pipe mast on the very top of my house. (I have an OLD, OLD VHF\UHF tripod) about 11-12 feet up. I also use it with a Radioshack PRO-97 Scanner. Reception is about 20 miles. (range can be more or lss depending on "repeaters", obstructions, weather conditions, AND choice of wire between radio and antenna. All in all you CAN NOT beat this antenna at this price!
My antenna is on the roof (though I might try it in my small attic someday) and it works great. The afternoon and late evening railroad chatter is almost nonstop--from Oakland, CA to Roseville, CA. I do agree that the aerials can get a bit loose at times. I may try the glue that someone recommended.
Outdoor? Forget that - works great indoors! Fire and EMS come in LOUD AND CLEAR, and from 40 miles away. Buy this antenna - for the price you can't beat it. 800mhz performance is ok, but it really excels in the 150mhz range.
from sedalia, Missouri on 5/27/2008
this antenna works great in everyday use....but when rf conditions are good it is spectacular
i was able to pick up signals over 100 miles away crystal clear
for the price i would get it and its a great antenna for beginner roof mounters
from Tehachapi, Ca on 4/22/2008
this antenna works great all across the frequencies. 25 to 870 mhz.
I purchased this antenna primarily to use on an 800mhz scanner. The reception is very poor. It does seenm to work very well as an antenna for weather radio (vhf)
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
It's a piece of junk and doesnt wrok well where I live
Used with scanner Pro 96
during hurricane Rita as ouside antenna. Survived and works great.
from mastic beach n.y. on 2/7/2008
a little tip . if you are setting up a antenna outside like this one. and other antennas that also have radials and groundplanes. to stop the sections from falling off in the wind and rain. put some superglue where the radials connect to the main post of the antennas [ after you thread them on and tighten the little nut.] and then put it on the mast.
from mty mexico on 1/30/2008
i use this for tx and rx in all 144 to 148 mhz in the 2 meters amateur band is perfect the swr is excelent
Fantastic antenna..especially for the price. I pick up stations almost 100 miles away . Mine is on a mast about 25' above ground. So far no complaints here in the Sacramento area. Definetely recommend this one.
from Blair,Nebraska on 1/7/2008
I just bought this Antenna on (01/06/2008) and I LOVE IT. This Antenna is Perfect for Monitoring the Railroads. I can hear the Union Pacific Hot Box Detector's at Milepost 332.0 and 335.3 very good from here in Blair,Nebraska. Set up was a cinch. I plan on raising the Antenna up more in the future. I would say that is a GREAT buy.
I use this product for my pro-97 scanner and pro-83 scanner....I can hear two way vhf,air,etc. conversations from over 100 miles away!!!I use a PL-259 with a bnc adapter. 20ft of cable and the antenna mounted above the eve of my roof which is about 25ft does wonders!!! If you are looking for a beginners outdoor antenna...this is a must buy easy to build and setup...the only thing I am worried about is I dont think it would survive a fall....Ice I have no clue..but other than that just great 10/10
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Nothern Catskills of New York State on 1/4/2008
I purchased this because it was in my price range and the only one my local "Shack" had in stock for outdoor use. It's mounted about 30ft. or so in the air on an outside home-made mono-pole antenna. I use it primarly for 27mhz-470mhz. I can recieve clearly repeaters from 40-50 miles or better. I would recommend this product for budget concious people. I have found it is a little position sensitive. I've tweaked the direction of the radials a few times until I felt the reception was optimal. All I did was rotate the pipe it is mounted too. I think it's a good antenna personally. I would recommend it!
The only thing I dislike are the nuts on the ground plane radials are loose when threading on to radials...
ive had for a little over 2 years now and its just been wonderful
Listen to airband with my scanner. With this thing just sitting in my living room floor. I've picked up aircraft from 200+ miles away
from Elkhart, IN on 12/12/2007
I've had this antenna for almost a year and have it hooked up to a [...]digital trunking scanner and it couldn't be better. Simple to set up. I have it only about 15' above ground and it receives all of the local and surrounding police depts. very well. For the price, I don't see where one could go wrong.
from McCleary,WA on 11/12/2007
This antenna works grate with my scanner. I was able to pickup signals very far way on my 10 foot mast. but if you wont the best distance you might go with the ham/scanner discone antenna. but for the price this works the best.
I have a PRO-2096. With this antenna I receive stations over 30 miles away. I use it "indoors" in a 1st floor apartment building. My portable antennas can receive as well as this one. NOTE: the people who own a PRO-2096 - get a good antenna and stop complaining about the reception.
This is without a doubt the very best antenna in it's class. I have two of them at 28 ft, and provide outstanding reception. Go to any of the Scanner sites, [...]and you'll see numerous accolades regarding this fine antenna. I have personally recommended it to several other scanner enthusiasts. For the price it just can't be beat !!!
from Gothenburg NE on 7/22/2007
I have had a few of these antennas over the years, the length of the radiator, is a tad shy of a 1/4 wavelength for 2 meter amateur radio, but it is just about right for 146mHz and up.
The one I have currently is hooked up to my S.A.M.E weather radio, although missing some parts, it still works great!
This antenna is one excellent antenna i have picked up things as far as 50 miles away and more this antenna is a must have for any scanner user.
i live in new bedford massachusetts it is abot 50-60 miles south of boston ican get any town in between i have a radio shack pro-97 and i just get about every channel i have to lock some frequencies outh because they talk too much and i can also get providence and nantucket mass and martha's vineyard this is a must have!!!!!!
This Is A Must Have !!! I Have This Antenna 30Ft High In The Air, Just Because I Wanted To,The Other Reviews That Tell How Good It Picks Up, Are Very Very True. I Have Been Able To Hear A Far Away As 50 to 60 miles. For The Price, Size, & Easy Use. For The Scanner User/Hobbiest That Wants To Just See How Much & How Far Away You Hear. This Is The Priced Right, Inexpensive Way To Go. I Would Give It More Than Five Stars. Hope You Enjoy It As Much As We Have!!!!
Great antenna AAAA++++ I have had one in the air for almost 10 years and it is better than the Diamond. The price was less than $15 bucks a few years back. That is the only down side and why I rated it a 4 on Value. Worth every penny if your looking for a good scanner antenna!!!
I've had this antenna for about ten years. Nothing but good reception. I'm in the Chicago South Bend area and receive excellent reception from both areas and also the the Kalamazoo area. Great product.
It's magic antenna, works amazingly. Can pick up aircrafts from as far as 100miles away. If use with good low loss cable it becomes a magician. It?s a must buy for all scanner enthusiastic you will hear the difference!
Awesome scanner antenna. Its a little large but the reception is incredible. I can hear police over 40 miles away with crystal clear clarity with a Uniden BCT-8, and that is with the antenna inside in my basement. Awesome product.
GOOD VALUE WORKS GREAT
I have owned this antenna for about six months and have nothing but praise for it. I use it with a pro 82 hand held scanner when at home I was pleasantly suprised by the vast increase in reception,keep up the good work. This and The pro 82 come highly recomended
Great antenna for 2m and 70cm ham. Wroks excellent without trimming. Must have been designed by ham operators!
For the price you can't beat this antenna, I use 2 of them, 1 cut to 300MHz the other left stock goesinta a Blonder/Tongue rf splitter/combiner>>>RS rf amp>>>BC895&BC785. I'm about 50' above sea level in the Hudson River valley and I can hear mil. planes coming and going to Ft. Drum in Watertown plus all other local comms. without too much trouble...
Less reception with this antenna then the stock antenna. Would not recommend.
Got a signal to the space shuttle about 13 years ago. That surprised me. Was working packet at the time. Just got another antenna to put up 30 feet - Charlie
I use this antenna for VHF/UHF amateur radio transmiting and am able to hit a VHF repeater 80 miles away. As for Simplex...no contest, beats my cushcraft hands down. It works phenomenally...for the price and performance I'm gonna buy another as a back-up.
whenever we have a sleet storm, The Antenna leads brake off.
I took it back to the store because i did not pick up anything with it at all. Got the more expensive one and it works great.
Awesome antenna, picked up everything within 50 miles at 30 ft. Would highly recommend! I'm going to be purchasing a new one since my last one was lost during a move from NY.
I had this for about a year now and i love it. When it rians hard and the wind blows it stands it up all most all the time. I have'nt had any prombles with it yet and hopefulley it will stay that way.
I live in southern Brazil and I've been using this antenna for some years now with a Pro-83 then now a Pro-97 scanner. I've mounted it on my building's rooftop (150ft. above the ground). It's a fantastic antenna, you really can't have anything as good in that price range. I use for a wide variety of applications, but mostly for Aviation band, and I'm able to pick up aircraft flying at more than 250 nautical miles away. Absolutely recommended.
from Leipsic, Ohio on 1/29/2006
I've been using this antenna for about three years and it's beginning to show some wear. However it still works very well. Picks up high band well over 100 miles away mounted at about 25 ft. One odd thing I've observed is that it will pick up the 800Mz. freqs very well but not in trunked mode. Picks up the 800Mz. freqs individually. Still an excellent antenna and a good buy.
i love this antenna i live in delaware and i can pick up FDNY crysatal clear that is just plain amazing!!!!
I have been using this antenna for over 10 years in a professional audio application for wirelesss microphones. The antenna's wide bandwidth,gain and small size make it a perfect master antenna for multipole or single wireless microhone recivers of any brand. This antenna has resolved alot of drop-out problems associated with microphone recivers that are located to far away from one or any number of wireless microphone transmitters. It has also been useful with hearing assist systems. Thanks for a great product.
I bought this antenna over 20 years ago in N.Y. It weathered snow,rain,icestorms,trpical force winds.20+/- years later,still using it in Florida.Great antenna.AA++
from March on 12/6/2005
This antenna is a classic antenna, i used it before, but now that the arkansas state police is using the new project 25 (digital system) it works wonders, now all i need is to mount it up a few more feet but i was grabbing singnals 100 miles + away, and it works, Best that money can buy!
I bought this antenna years ago to use with my old pro-91 scanner, and I must say reception on that thing was by far superb. I experimented on everyband and it performed flawlessly mounted on a 30 feet tall tv tower. I could even receive the local mc donald's drive thru 3 miles away.
Antenna is a little complex to put together, I didnt really like the way the ground radials mount to the antenna. Other than that the Antenna gets good reception, works wonderfully with a repeated system works pretty well on simplex as well. Very exceptional value!