Larsen NMO450CHW performance

[KampingAnthony1AolCo]

Hello I wanted some reviews on this antenna. I wanted to see if it is worth the money or not. Here is a link to the antenna: Larsen NMO450CHW 450-470 1/2 Wave NMO Mobile Antenna | TESSCO If I could get some reviews on it.

Thank you
Anthony Lee

 

[RodStrong]

Personally, I would go with the non half wave model, but only because the price is half as much, and I don't know the performance difference (if any) would be worth it. 26 bucks vs. 48 bucks may or may not be a big deal to you. They do well down in the ham band too. We have a hand full of both on vehicles, mostly used for ham, and they work just fine.

Snapped a quick pic of a pretty old one on a mag mount that spends most of its time beside my desk at work. Good luck.

 

[prcguy]

Its a half wave over half wave collinear and they work just fine. However I find the plating on the Larsen whips corrode and turn green where other antennas in the same environment do not. Larsen claims their plating is more conductive than a bare SS whip and it probably is but if your near the ocean keep it clean and waxed.
prcguy

 

[KampingAnthony1AolCo]

Thank you for the pic. I also wanted to know how the range is on the antenna if it were used as a base antenna.

Thank you
Anthony Lee

 

[RodStrong]

I also wanted to know how the range is on the antenna if it were used as a base antenna.

I don't think I can accurately answer your question. Although the antennas aren't shiny anymore from being outdoors on vehicles for several years, the ones we have are all intact and show no signs of damage. This was in a largely dry high desert environment though, with very little humidity year round. Same goes for the few others we have mounted on various vehicles still in use. They may not hold up as well in a humid environment.

The antenna on the base radio works well with tx on our local ham repeaters and rx on misc simplex stuff I monitor, but I've never really done any significant simplex testing to speak of. This particular antenna isn't really placed in good spot, as the radio and antenna are subject to being pulled quickly for use in the field. But for whatever it's worth, I am pretty confident they will get the job done in the field if needed, and I am satisfied with them.

 

[N4KVE]

I use a Larsen NMO440C which looks the same, but is a 440-460 5/8 antenna. Great results, & I live less than 10 miles from the ocean, & no discoloration yet after 18 months.