Comet DS-150S

[Sownman]

Anybody here using this antenna ? I am considering it for a scanner. I only find one review at eham and that guy likes it. It interests me more than most of what I see due to it's heavy duty construction compared to price($80 @ hamcity) Solid SS and over 3 pounds despite being a bit smaller than average. I live on a hillside that gets winds to 50MPH regularly during the winter.

http://www.cometantenna.com/products.php?CatID=1&famID=5&childID=11

Thanks

Steve

 

[Jakemcgraw]

HI, The Comet DS-150S is an all around good discone in my opinion,,Receives well and Very Durable,,All Elements and u bolts are Stainless Steel, along with an anodized aluminum mounting tube with 2 clamp brackets...very sturdy , and held up well in high winds for me, no problems . LES.

 

[n5usr]

Have one on the roof right now. And I got it from HamCity, I wasn't picky Comet or Diamond, just got the few-dollars-cheaper one. Works just fine, no complaints. Even used it on a ham radio in a pinch - SWR and performance were decent on the three bands I tried (2M, 220, 440 - they don't mention 220).

 

[Sownman]

The Comet is a couple dollars cheaper and includes 65' of coax. I've also heard it's very flat down to 50mhz It weighs more which I hope equates to better materials and I can't find anything negative said about it whereas you can find some negative comment about the Diamond. At any rate I bought one and will try to get it up this weekend.

Steve

 

[Jakemcgraw]

Let us know how you like it , after your all set up...Also I owned both the Comet ds150s and the diamond d130n,,They are both great antennas,,had great luck with both !

 

[Sownman]

I installed this antenna last Saturday. It is very well made and machined. All parts are solid stainless steel, nothing plastic or hollow. All radials were nicely threaded with locking nuts, all tips had small caps. No sharp edges anywhere. Package included everything needed including allen wrench for 50mhz top piece set screw and waterproof tape to cover cable connection. The instructions were a bit comical as they were obviously written
by an Asian engineer using a dictonary to translate

I have installed it 15' above my 8' patio cover putting it about 5' above roof peak. I used Radio Shack 1 1/4 mast and (2) u bolts for mast base attachment to patio cover 1x6 beams and 4" wall mount attachment at the eave 4 feet higher. Antenna includes 65' coax with connectors attached. I did not cut off the 25' of extra cable but am considering it.

I am in Santa Clarita Calif and it has completely exceeded my expectations. I am now hearing Point Magu NAS as well as Ventura, Port Hueneme, and Oxnard fire and police. These are about 40 miles West. I can also hear marine band from boats offshore from Ventura. I have heard the Westminster CHP base which is about 75 miles South. I am hearing Kern County Fire and Sheriff as well as Bakersfield Fire which is about 65 miles North. I have also been able to hear Metrolink Trains departing from LA Union Station and approaching from Chatsworth (these with no repeater) at about 40 miles away. I am also now able to hear my local CHP mobil units (no repeater) in the 40mhz range for the first time. I can also hear not only Burbank airport(30 miles) but LAX (45 miles) and Long Beach (60 miles) as well. I only have one 800Mhz trunking setup in my area and it's not much of a test as it's only 6 miles away but it comes in solid. I've heard CB traffic from Interstate 5 in my valley as well as a great deal of ham traffic in the 400MHZ range.

Time will tell how well this holds up in the wind in my area but I think any shortfall would be my install job rather than the unit itself. I highly recomend this product.

Steve

 

[Gooser]

Cool report Sownman...

Are any of those agencies 800MHz? Wondering how it does with those.

 

[Sownman]

Cool report Sownman...

Are any of those agencies 800MHz? Wondering how it does with those.

Funny I ws editing my post as you were replying. Yes I have one 800mhz but it's pretty close so it's not much of a test. I've tried 800MHZ in Victorville (80 or more miles) without success, but I also have mountain issues that direction as well. My guess is it's more the mountains than the antenna.

Steve