Dual Band Mobile Antennas Under $100

[vagrant]

I have the Diamond MR77 which was included with some other items I purchased. It works in a pinch if I need to pop an antenna on a temporary vehicle, but the performance of the Diamond NR770HB surpasses it. I use one of those Diamond motorized antenna thingy's, the K9000 or something secured to my luggage rack, so I'm using a NR770HB to complement it.

Anyways, for NMO use has anyone compared the Diamond NR770HNMO and the Larsen NMO 2/70B? I am curious.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Anyways, for NMO use has anyone compared the Diamond NR770HNMO and the Larsen NMO 2/70B? I am curious.

3.0/5.5 dBi gain (UHF/VHF), So real word is 0.85/3.35dBd... I'm thinking those are not accurate, at least the Diamond website specs for the antenna is probably supposed to be dBd not dBi. Really, the specs are about the same. It is probably a slightly shortened 1/2 wave on VHF and a 5/8 wave over 5/8 wave on UHF. Exactly the same as the Larsen antenna.

The fold over will be the weak spot on the Diamond, and why I would never buy it. It WILL hold water, and it WILL eventually become a big issue... Likely resulting in antenna failure.(hopefully not radio failure) The Larsen is a superior antenna to the Diamond. Better to spend the money on the Larsen.

 

[N4KVE]

Anyways, for NMO use has anyone compared the Diamond NR770HNMO and the Larsen NMO 2/70B? I am curious.

I've had the Larsen on my car since 1992, & it's great. About 2005 a friend suggested trying the Diamond, which I did. Worked the same as the Larsen. Great coverage, & low SWR, but today I use neither on my car. I'm in the enviable position of living where there are too many repeaters. With the arrival of DMR, & 3 different locally linked systems, maximum range is not the priority, but rather low profile. Since there's a repeater practically every 5 miles, this is what I now use. I use one for UHF, & another for 900 MHz.
https://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=32575

 

[mmckenna]

Anyways, for NMO use has anyone compared the Diamond NR770HNMO and the Larsen NMO 2/70B? I am curious.

Not me. Considering they are very similar in price, I wouldn't spend my money on an amateur/consumer grade antenna when you can get a professional antenna with a known track record.

I'll agree with the others, fold over mounts WILL fail. Larsen has a proven track record in real world environments.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Not me. Considering they are very similar in price, I wouldn't spend my money on an amateur/consumer grade antenna when you can get a professional antenna with a known track record.



I'll agree with the others, fold over mounts WILL fail. Larsen has a proven track record in real world environments.

100% agree. The Larsen NMO 2/70 is a solid antenna, when used with an open coil element. I have, however, seen enclosed coil, NMO2/70 antenna elements fail. Usually it is a combination of water penetration, and long key-downs at 50-75w, while stationary. The failure is the enclosed delay coil in the antenna element melting, I have not seen the base coil fail.

Considering the cost difference between the Diamond and Larsen, I would take the Larsen every time.

 

[N4KVE]

I have, however, seen enclosed coil, NMO2/70 antenna elements fail. Usually it is a combination of water penetration, and long key-downs at 50-75w, while stationary. The failure is the enclosed delay coil in the antenna element melting,

I have been using this exact antenna since 1992, & it still works perfectly. For a few years with a 100 watt UHF MCS2000. Just used it yesterday, but now it's on a 45 watt DMR radio.

 

[kayn1n32008]

I have been using this exact antenna since 1992, & it still works perfectly. For a few years with a 100 watt UHF MCS2000. Just used it yesterday, but now it's on a 45 watt DMR radio.

I have used both versions, open and closed coil. I like the open coil better. Especially here in Alberta where they use corrosive material on the highways in the winter for de-icing. My closed coil version never failed either.

 

[N4KVE]

I have used both versions, open and closed coil. I like the open coil better. Especially here in Alberta where they use corrosive material on the highways in the winter for de-icing. My closed coil version never failed either.

None of my antennas have ever seen snow, & live a quiet life in Florida. I do remember when they sold both versions, & I preferred the original design.

 

[kayn1n32008]

None of my antennas have ever seen snow, & live a quiet life in Florida. I do remember when they sold both versions, & I preferred the original design.

Yea, salt and road grime coupled with long key downs are the death of closed coil antennas.

I have even seen non Lasen closed coil hammy toy antennas melt(think Commet and Diamond).

Having also used both, I much prefer the open coil. My job takes me in the sticks and I have yet to have issues with tree branches with it.

The open coil does not suffer from the problems the closed coil antenna have.