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Is this antenna worth it ?
Posted: 13 Jan 2018, 17:13
by Classic
I just got my ham license and i need a really cheap antenna with coax and i found this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Range-2-70cm ... 0033.m2042
This is the cheapest i've found. I have a yaesu 7800 that i'm looking to use from my home.
Re: Is this antenna worth it ?
Posted: 13 Jan 2018, 17:46
by paulears
Personally it's a bit expensive for something with a vague specification, and SO239 sockets need careful waterproofing, and RG 58 isn't really usually used on UHF as it's pretty lossy. That said - £35 isn't too much money for something probably made at home. Most dual bankers don't have the 3/6dB spec - there's no clue if this is 3dBi - where there really isn't any gain, or 3dBd where there is! If you just want to work a few repeaters locally it's probably OK for the money.
Re: Is this antenna worth it ?
Posted: 13 Jan 2018, 18:17
by ch25
If you have some mechanical skills diy.
http://www.eham.net/articles/7005
Works like a charm.
Chris
Re: Is this antenna worth it ?
Posted: 13 Jan 2018, 18:29
by Auldgeek
You haven't given any detail on what your requirements are. Are you looking to work local simplex stations and repeaters, or further afield?
Avoid RG58. It's far too lossy at these frequencies and IMHO, anyone selling a dual band antenna with this coax, shouldn't be considered.
I know you are looking for an economical solution, but an aerial and feeder is the business end of your station and any significant compromise such as this is really just a waste of time, especially at VHF nevermind UHF. You need to use a feeder such as RG-213 or better.
As for the antenna, never heard of it. Physical specs are nonexistent, so we don't know what it's characteristics are.
Your choice at the end of the day, but I'd pass on this and look elsewhere! Look for a decent quality X-50 and good quality low loss feeder.
Re: Is this antenna worth it ?
Posted: 13 Jan 2018, 18:31
by Tigersaw
I'd say no, its unknown and probably not built or sealed well.
Up your budget and get something known to work well, like a Diamond x30 (around £45)
or make a slim jim or a co-ax antenna (
http://www.hamuniverse.com/vertbazooka.html ( I made one and it does work)) for almost nothing and feel achievement at the same time.
Re: Is this antenna worth it ?
Posted: 26 Jan 2018, 09:43
by porky.69
Tigersaw wrote: ↑13 Jan 2018, 18:31
I'd say no, its unknown and probably not built or sealed well.
Up your budget and get something known to work well, like a Diamond x30 (around £45)
or make a slim jim or a co-ax antenna (
http://www.hamuniverse.com/vertbazooka.html ( I made one and it does work)) for almost nothing and feel achievement at the same time.
What tigersaw says is spot on
Re: Is this antenna worth it ?
Posted: 29 Jan 2018, 08:40
by nay27uk
I use one of the below Watson W-30's I have used it since I got licensed in april last year and to be honest it works fantastic.
Made by Waters And Stanton, WATSON is their own brand.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WATSON-W-30-D ... 2174476839