Author Topic: Magnetic antenna good enough  (Read 5410 times)

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survivor49

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Magnetic antenna good enough
« on: March 28, 2012, 05:28:03 PM »
Advice needed please.

I bought a MFJ-1724B dual band 2meter/440 antenna for use in the truck to get started.
Receives very well......as soon as the FCC posts my call sign I can transmit and see how well the antenna transmits.
Is that a good enough antenna for now.

I'm looking at a  COMET 146/446MHz Spring Mobile Antenna, Black, Gain: 1.5 / 4.15 dBi, Conn: NMO, Max: 60 Watts, Length: 18". Spring in base and spring steel element allows antenna to flex.
Using a permanent mount that I would mount on the top of the truck cab.

My current radio is a Yaesu Ft-60r

Eventually moving up to a Yaesu 857-D

Before I spend 75/80 bucks I'd like to make sure I get what I need for now and the future.

Of course I a NOOB so be gentle.

spacecase0

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Re: Magnetic antenna good enough
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2012, 05:50:05 PM »
I got a new COMET 146/446MHz Spring Mobile Antenna (mine was NMO mount bought last dec.)
and it lasted all of a week before having bad SWR issues,
it broke the final transistors in one of my radios,
it looks like it is a bad connection in the base of the antenna.
I asked others if comet antennas work well and got some replying that they do break like that so,
comet antennas seem not to be worth that much money,
diamond or MFJ might be better

survivor49

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Re: Magnetic antenna good enough
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2012, 06:35:34 PM »
Thanks Spacecase0
I'll take a look at the Diamond and MFJ
« Last Edit: March 28, 2012, 06:55:25 PM by survivor44 »

scubadivingjoe

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Re: Magnetic antenna good enough
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2012, 06:47:22 PM »
Survivor44

I have the 3 MJT antenna, they do the job.  I also have the FT 60R and the FT 857D.  The antenna has worked great.  I can connect to a repeater 80 miles away. 


survivor49

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Re: Magnetic antenna good enough
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2012, 06:52:20 PM »
Thanks Joe I'll check it out

survivor49

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Re: Magnetic antenna good enough
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2012, 06:56:47 PM »
Survivor44

I have the 3 MJT antenna, they do the job.  I also have the FT 60R and the FT 857D.  The antenna has worked great.  I can connect to a repeater 80 miles away.

Joe
Did you mean "3 MFJ" ??
I typed it in wrong in my post also

scubadivingjoe

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Re: Magnetic antenna good enough
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2012, 07:29:08 PM »
I own Three-MFJ1724B antenna's.  One for each car, so i dont have to move the antenna from car to car, Or SUV to SUV