Comet GP-1

[willgrah]

Hello all! I just received my ham ticket the other day and tested out my equipment with the existing antenna system. My current dual band is a DBJ-1 32 foot high cut for GMRS and MURS frequencies. It has been a great antenna for GMRS. Testing on 440+ mhz gave me a pretty good read at no greater than 1.8:1 swr but 2 Meters is out of the question at over 3:1. So my options are to pick up another DBJ-1 cut for 70cm/2 Meters or go to a different antenna all together. The Comet GP-1 caught my eye, it is advertised at having a little more gain 3/6 dbi 2meters/70cm over the DBJ-1 which is rated at 2.1 or unity on both bands. The length is the same as my current antenna.

The cost difference is negligible 25 for the DBJ-1 and about 80 with shipping for the Comet. So does anyone have any experience with this antenna. Does it look like a worthwhile upgrade or should I just stick with what I know has worked. Any experience or opinions would be appreciated. Bill

 

[Rt169Radio]

Hello all! I just received my ham ticket the other day and tested out my equipment with the existing antenna system. My current dual band is a DBJ-1 32 foot high cut for GMRS and MURS frequencies. It has been a great antenna for GMRS. Testing on 440+ mhz gave me a pretty good read at no greater than 1.8:1 swr but 2 Meters is out of the question at over 3:1. So my options are to pick up another DBJ-1 cut for 70cm/2 Meters or go to a different antenna all together. The Comet GP-1 caught my eye, it is advertised at having a little more gain 3/6 dbi 2meters/70cm over the DBJ-1 which is rated at 2.1 or unity on both bands. The length is the same as my current antenna.

The cost difference is negligible 25 for the DBJ-1 and about 80 with shipping for the Comet. So does anyone have any experience with this antenna. Does it look like a worthwhile upgrade or should I just stick with what I know has worked. Any experience or opinions would be appreciated. Bill

Congrats on getting your ham radio license.For the antenna stuff I would either get a Diamond X30A or X50A.

 

[gewecke]

Congrats on getting your ham radio license.For the antenna stuff I would either get a Diamond X30A or X50A.

+1 on the Diamond X50A

73,
n9zas

 

[LtDoc]

I've used a GP-1, it did just what any other antenna of the same type would do. It wasn't/isn't the most 'robust' antenna in the world, but certainly adequate for most users. Had it in use at the same time as a home-made 'J'-pole, not at the same heights, but sort of close. Not a lot of difference between the two. I finally replaced the GP-1. Not because it wasn't doing it's job, but because I goofed when messing with the mounting pole one day, broke the thing. (I can break anything if I try hard enough.)
It's nothing to brag excessively about, but it's not junk either.
I don't know of anyone who'z been in this hobby for any length of time that hasn't had more than just 1 antenna. If you decide to try something else that's 'better', you would be perfectly 'normal', you know?
- 'Doc

 

[Rt169Radio]

I've used a GP-1, it did just what any other antenna of the same type would do. It wasn't/isn't the most 'robust' antenna in the world, but certainly adequate for most users. Had it in use at the same time as a home-made 'J'-pole, not at the same heights, but sort of close. Not a lot of difference between the two. I finally replaced the GP-1. Not because it wasn't doing it's job, but because I goofed when messing with the mounting pole one day, broke the thing. (I can break anything if I try hard enough.)
It's nothing to brag excessively about, but it's not junk either.
I don't know of anyone who'z been in this hobby for any length of time that hasn't had more than just 1 antenna. If you decide to try something else that's 'better', you would be perfectly 'normal', you know?
- 'Doc

Did you have any problems with high SWR on 2 meters with it?

 

[willgrah]

Thanks all for the advice. I contacted Dr. Fong about the current antenna to see if there were any tuning options on the current DBJ-1. Unfortunately the answer was no but he was good enough to offer me a great deal on one for the 2m/70cm. I decided to go with what is proven so I took him up on his kind offer and will put this on up when it arrives. He is a real gentleman and dedicated to his craft. Everyone is telling me that 10 meter is where the fun is, gonna save my money in case they are right. Bill KD2CMP