220 Vertical recommendations?

[sallen07]

OK so I'm thinking about putting up a 220 vertical and getting a radio to go along with it.

For reasons I'm not going to get into, I'd definitely *prefer* something in the 3-4' range in height, but I can see doing 5-6'. 8 foot? Probably not. 10 or more? Nope.

Yes, I understand that limits my choices, and that anything I pick won't work as well as something that falls outside my restriction. But at this point "something" is better than "nothing", right?

I would also prefer an N connector, although UHF is OK.

So here are a couple potential options. Looking for anyone who has experience with any of them, and for other recommendations.

220 (1.25 Meter) Vertical Outdoor Base Antenna

Specs Gain: 3.5 dBi SWR: 1.5:1 or Less Pattern: Omni-directional Wavelength: 1/2 Elements: 1 Tuned: 220-225 MHz Band: VHF 220 Connector: N Female Cable: RG8X Cable Length: 12 Inches Height: 42" Width: 1 1/4" Weight: 1.5 lb Wind Area: 0.25 Sq Feet Features Ready Made: There's no...

dpdproductions.com

~ F142A Monoband Base Antenna Diamond® Antenna

FG2200 : 220-225 MHz, Unity/ 2.15 dBi Outdoor Fiberglass Omni base Station Antenna with N-Female Connector

The FG2200 from Laird (formerly Antenex) is a heavy duty, omni-directional fiberglass base station antenna operating at 220-225 MHz, providing Unity/ 2.15 dBi of linear gain.*Note: This antenna DOES NOT ship with mounting hardware. We recommend the ROSA-HDM1 mounting bracket*

www.arcantenna.com

Thanks in advance!

 

[vagrant]

I use a Tram 1494 vertical that is probably under five feet in height. I get plenty of sunshine here, so unsure about durability with snow/ice locations. It has a UHF connector and I think I had to tune it, or it may have been ready for 1.25 meter range. It has a UHF connector. Tram is like the Baofeng of antennas, low cost = easy to replace.

Your wants though point to you getting the DPD antenna. Fortunately, you can email him and ask about snow/ice durability. I have the DPD ADS-B outdoor antenna and it has held up well for almost 10 years now, to give you an idea of build.

Is nothing better than something? I ask because how much activity is there in your area on 1.25 meters? If you have scanned the band and or have the nearby repeaters programmed in on a scanner, you will already know if it is worth it for you. I use my 220 stuff for ARRL contests and when I want to use a frequency with another operator knowing we probably won't be bothered by unlicensed goofs whether we use simplex or a repeater, at least around here. Then again, the lack of use of that band is what may be drawing you to it.

UPDATE: I just read this on the DPD page. If I lived where you do I would give that one a try.

Weather Resistant: Having the elements and feed point sealed in the radome allows the antenna to be very resistant to weather and other environmental damage. This antenna is strong enough to withstand an ice storm, and will also do well in a shoreline environment.

 

[N4GIX]

One other plus for the DPD antenna is lower cost, and you don't have to buy the mounting hardware as required by the Laird antenna!

 

[mass-man]

There's a $10 difference cost between the two...I have a DPD OmniX that I love, so I'm not knocking the product, but for $10 go with the Laird....professional grade over hobby grade. But do check how much activity there is on 220 near you. Sadly where I live now all the 220 requires a beam for me to make it to a repeater...when I lived in town, a GP would do.

 

[popnokick]

The AEA Isopole Jr is 40 inches long Spectral - Home of the legendary ISOPOLE Antennas

 

[AM909]

The AEA Isopole Jr is 40 inches long Spectral - Home of the legendary ISOPOLE Antennas

The Jr. is not 220 MHz. The Isopole 220 is probably 2 m (6' 7") in length, based on the table saying it is 2 meters and my recollection (the table is seriously confused about units). I recall it worked pretty well.

 

[K6GBW]

Look up the Ed Fong antennas. He has a 220 model that I've used and it works very well. He'll put an N connector on it if that's what you want.

 

[mass-man]

Look up the Ed Fong antennas. He has a 220 model that I've used and it works very well. He'll put an N connector on it if that's what you want.

It's only 48inches tall...

 

[sallen07]

Thanks for all the feedback so far. Still investigating.

As far as the "make sure there is 220 nearby" that's a very valid point. There's one 220 repeater in our county (which never seems to have any traffic) but a couple more active ones a county or two away that I can hit with an HT (standing outside) so I should be able to hit them easily with this new setup. I think 220 is a self-fulfilling prophesy unfortunately. "No one uses it" translates to "I won't buy equipment for it" which of course means "*I* won't use it". Maybe if I can get a few others interested we can turn that around locally. One can dream, right?

 

[mass-man]

Yes sir....I have seen 220 rise and fall around me! Literally from nothing, to a simplex net, to one or two repeaters, to several sorta busy machines on the air now! GOOD LUCK!!!