Duel Band and Quad Band Antennas

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Tracker44

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Hello, I am considering the Comet CA-2X4SRB Duel Band mobil to use with my Duel Band mobil rig.
I am also thinking about mayybe getting a Yaesu 8900R , which is a Quad Band radio .
The Diamond CR-8900A is a Quad Band antenna that seems to be recommended to go along with this radio .
Until I get the FT-8900 would the Quad Band antenna be a good purchase to go ahead and use it with my existing Duel Band radio ????
Any recommendations on either of these antennas ????
Making a move to the FT-8900R is just a move to maybe broaden my mobil radio abilities . The 6 meter band and 10 meter FM band would be a new experience for me . I have never operated in those modes before..
TNX Tracker44
Happy Thanksgiving To All
 

popnokick

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I have a TYT-TH9800 which is an FM quad bander nearly identical to the Yaesu 8900R. I would really like to be able to use it more on 10M FM but the antennas are extremely long for 10M and pose mounting problems on my Jeep Liberty. As a compromise, I have a Comet / Maldol EX510 which is a tribander for 6M, 2M, and 70cm. The Diamond CR-8900A is 50 inches long, which means I'd have to have a side body mount or perhaps a spare tire mount, but the latter blocks the operation of the lift gate glass on the Liberty. I have a low garage door and a 50 inch antenna is going to pose problems even if I manage to mount it low on the vehicle, which also compromises the antenna performance.
So the EX510 is not my full-time antenna. I use a Comet SBB-1 NMO on the center rooftop most of the time and it simply flexes out of the way when I go in / out of the garage. When I want to gain 6M FM coverage I remove the SBB-1 and put the EX510 on the NMO. I did this during the last VHF Contest and it worked great. I also have a large mag mount base for the EX510, but on 6M the SWR is higher on the mag mount than it is on the NMO.
If you have figured out a way to mount the Diamond CR-8900A without compromising it by mounting it on the bumper or too low on the vehicle, and it is not where it is smacking your garage, tree limbs, or overhead structures going through the parking garage, ATM, etc. please let us know. However, I too think the Diamond CR-8900A is the way to go and definitely will work fine for your existing 2M / 70cm dual band mobile. Go for it and post a pic of your mount and setup!
 

Tracker44

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TNX popnokick for the information. I am about to walk out the door when I noticed the reply .
I will post more later today.
Seems like you have some of the same issues I do.
I am useing the Comet SBB5 at this time but it is starting to act up for some reason. I am useing a 5 inch mag mount with it , which has worked well up till now.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving
TNX again -----Tracker44
 

popnokick

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.... and one more comment: 6M FM and 10M FM mobile are fun and interesting. I'm fortunate in that I am in ground wave range of both 6 and 10M FM repeaters. Lately, 10M FM has been open a lot so there is always something to work there. I have yet to experience a 6M FM opening, but really like the very wide coverage I can get from the local 6M FM repeaters. Yes, there are far fewer users on 6M FM than 2M, 70cm, or 10M. But in rural mountainous terrain it really does a great job, and I'm hoping that the appearance of newer, less expensive 6M FM mobiles (like the TH-9800) will spur more activity on 6M FM. Also, many 2M 5/8 wave mobile antennas can be used effectively on 6M... so that's another consideration. Of course you lose 70cm by doing that (but gain 6M). Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, and thanks for the holiday wishes!
 

Tracker44

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Hi again popnokick, and TNX again for the information on the 6 meter and 10 meter bands . I have used 10 meter SSB before alot but never 10 meter FM.
I dont believe there is a 6 meter or 10 meter repeater any where close to me . I feel like the FM and SSB characteristics on 10 meters should be the same or very close. So maybe not being very close to a 10 meter repeater wont matter very much. I do know when 10 meters is dead it is really dead, but when its open it can be the best ham radio band going.
I am not set up very well to do pictures , but that would be great if I could. I will try to explain my antenna set up. I drive a pick up truck and I have a piece of steel plate bolted to the inside of the bed . I welded a 1 inch piece of pipe about 6 inches long to the center of that plate.and turned a 1 inch 90 degree ell stright up. I then added another 6 inch nipple to that and another round piece of 1/4 inch plate on top of that and welded all that out. The top plate is large enough to handle a 5 inch Mag Mount with ease . It takes both hands to pull that mag mount off. That set up is very stable.
I am an old Ham and I do park my truck in my garage all the time , it also is a standard over head door , not very high. Putting the antenna on top of my cab was out of the question cant do all that climbing around any more. When I pull the truck in, I just step out of the cab and un-screw the NMO mount and pull it in. It will slap the over head door if I dont do this. Since I un-screw the antenna a lot I do lubricate the threads when needed.
TNX for the help and sharing your experience on 6 meters and 10meter FM.
Take care -----Tracker44
 

teufler

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I would stick with a dual band radio or your choice. Quad band, 6 and 10 fm , you will waste alot of money for on occasional qso. Just not alot of activity, ssb more so. I had the yaesu 8900 for a short time. From a drivers point of view, a dangerous mobile radio as the buttons do not light up at night. You end of punching the wrong buttons, them the dome light is needed or a flashlight. The quad band antennas are more of a "porcupine" in the sky. Very top weighted to the point of guying with monofiliment fishing line while I was mobile. A choice of communications could be APRS, It will allow you to send email messages from your mobile to non hams if needed. With this, you can still use a dual band antenna and send message clear around the world if necessary, something 6 and 10 can not do.
 

Tracker44

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Feb 21, 2015
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Hello teufler, TNX for the information. Thats un-real that the radio buttons dont light up. Glad you mentioned that. That really could be a deal breaker. I dont see that well any more and thats something I dont think the dealers would just up and volunteer to tell you.
I use a Yaesu 7900 now and having some real issues with it . Its looking like a trip back to Yaesu at this time . I do like the rig , but thats agravating to say the least.
With the Sun Spot cycle what it is at this point 10 meters is dead alot but there is openings , not sure about 6 meters ????
TNX
 
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