Antenna - best value/performance

[CaptDan]

Looking to put an antenna up appx 50 feet off the ground, hopefully get some decent range from it.

I'd like to hear some of our very knowledgeable people in here recommendations for best antenna for GMRS or possibly a dual band UHF/VHF antenna.

Looking for recommendations of the best performance & value combination. Money isn't the only consideration, but being honest it certainly is a consideration.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[mmckenna]

A lot really depends on your budget.
There are some really good antennas out there, but they'll cost $1,500 or more. Probably not what you are looking for.

Many years ago when I was active on GMRS, I was using a PCTEL 4503. Not an expensive antenna, but not bottom of the barrel Cheap Chinese Antenna, either. I'm in a valley with hills on 3 sides about 2 miles away and Pacific Ocean on the 4th side, so high gain wasn't something I needed. Out there in the flatlands, you may benefit from some more gain since you'll have a pretty good view out to the horizon.

Laird FG-4503 was another one I used for a while. Good antenna, reasonable price.

Dual band antennas are out there, but you need to make sure you are getting one that will work on the 462-467MHz range, as most of the ham dual band antennas are tuned for 430-450MHz range. Those will cost more than the ham versions, usually.

 

[natedawg1604]

I would recommend having separate antennas for different bands, especially if you want to pickup weaker signals from far away. If you go to the Antenna Farm website, you can find a lot of great options, including antennas you can tune by adjusting the length of a rod. Also for outside use I would suggest getting antennas with N connectors, and get LMR 400 for anything over 25 or 50' if possible. Also use as few adapters as possible.

 

[scanmanmi]

I've come to believe coax can be more important than the antenna.

 

[tweiss3]

I've been looking, and there isn't a dual band "base station" antenna that will cover GMRS and 2m ham (or 70cm ham). You either get 2m/70cm ham, or UHF/VHF commercial that covers GMRS and 150MHz+ on the vhf side.

The exception to this are commercial dipole arrays, but that's large chunk of change with little options. The DB-315 would have worked well, but it's been discontinued for decades. Comprod make a few "Dual Antenna Arrays" UHF Dipole array over VHF dipole array options, but they start at about $2,300 for 2 over 2 (5db) and up.

 

[PreferredCustomer]

There is a lot of hype on GMRS for the CommScope folded dipoles. Don't fall for it. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars for a decent antenna. Look at gain figures to decide. I don't know why there is such a myth about CommScope as the be all to end all.

Some one will probably appear shortly to claim you must get a CommScope antenna.


This is the one I bought.

Comet Antennas GP-6NC Comet GP-6NC GMRS/FRS Commercial Dual-Band VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - Comet GP-6NC GMRS/FRS Commercial Dual-Band VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas with qualifying orders of $99. Shop VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

others:

Comet Antennas GP-9NC Comet GP-9NC GMRS/FRS-Commercial Dual Band VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - Comet GP-9NC GMRS/FRS-Commercial Dual Band VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas with qualifying orders of $99. Shop VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

COMET CA-712EFC

460 - 470 MHZ 9.0 dB Commercial Repeater Fiberglass Antenna ** PLUS FREIGHT **

www.hamradio.com

HUSTLER G6-450-3

462 - 470 MHz Commercial Base Vertical Antenna - 6 dBd Gain - 87 Inches Tall - N Female Connector

www.hamradio.com

For some reason, Ham Radio Outlet only shows some of these going to 465 MHZ, but that is an error.

Get the GP-9NC, if you don't mind spending the money.

 

[PreferredCustomer]

I bought the dual band (for GMRS use) because it was only like $20 more than the single band.

It can't be used for Ham radio, but I thought maybe for MURS or monitoring public service freqs.

 

[prcguy]

You can't go by the antenna gain shown in advertising, much of it is a complete lie. The bottom line is an exposed dipole array fed by divider system has the most gain for its size of any commercial antenna. At UHF you can get a real 9dB gain in an offset pattern over a dipole in about 8ft of antenna length or 6dB gain over a dipole in omni mode. In a 17ft antenna you can get 12dB gain over a dipole in offset mode or a real 9dB over a dipole in omni mode.

For a colinear type which is the Comet, Diamond, Hustler and most others it takes twice as many elements to get the same gain and in a much taller antenna. The Comet GP9 is 17ft tall and comes up about 3dB less gain on UHF than an equivalent size exposed dipole array. I have all these antennas, have swapped them in the same location and measured the differences. Its real. I even cobbled together a 4-bay dipole array for VHF and it blows away a Comet GP-9 with a much better signal.

Most of the performance and range of a repeater in a given location is its antenna, there is nothing else you can change that will increase or decrease the range more than the antenna and that is were you put your money. That is assuming the repeater is not a POS and is performing ok to start with.

There is a lot of hype on GMRS for the CommScope folded dipoles. Don't fall for it. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars for a decent antenna. Look at gain figures to decide. I don't know why there is such a myth about CommScope as the be all to end all.

Some one will probably appear shortly to claim you must get a CommScope antenna.


This is the one I bought.

Comet Antennas GP-6NC Comet GP-6NC GMRS/FRS Commercial Dual-Band VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - Comet GP-6NC GMRS/FRS Commercial Dual-Band VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas with qualifying orders of $99. Shop VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

others:

Comet Antennas GP-9NC Comet GP-9NC GMRS/FRS-Commercial Dual Band VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - Comet GP-9NC GMRS/FRS-Commercial Dual Band VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas with qualifying orders of $99. Shop VHF/UHF Base Vertical Antennas at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

COMET CA-712EFC

460 - 470 MHZ 9.0 dB Commercial Repeater Fiberglass Antenna ** PLUS FREIGHT **

www.hamradio.com

HUSTLER G6-450-3

462 - 470 MHz Commercial Base Vertical Antenna - 6 dBd Gain - 87 Inches Tall - N Female Connector

www.hamradio.com

For some reason, Ham Radio Outlet only shows some of these going to 465 MHZ, but that is an error.

Get the GP-9NC, if you don't mind spending the money.

 

[PreferredCustomer]

You can't go by the antenna gain shown in advertising, much of it is a complete lie. The bottom line is an exposed dipole array fed by divider system has the most gain for its size of any commercial antenna. At UHF you can get a real 9dB gain in an offset pattern over a dipole in about 8ft of antenna length or 6dB gain over a dipole in omni mode. In a 17ft antenna you can get 12dB gain over a dipole in offset mode or a real 9dB over a dipole in omni mode.

For a colinear type which is the Comet, Diamond, Hustler and most others it takes twice as many elements to get the same gain and in a much taller antenna. The Comet GP9 is 17ft tall and comes up about 3dB less gain on UHF than an equivalent size exposed dipole array. I have all these antennas, have swapped them in the same location and measured the differences. Its real. I even cobbled together a 4-bay dipole array for VHF and it blows away a Comet GP-9 with a much better signal.

Most of the performance and range of a repeater in a given location is its antenna, there is nothing else you can change that will increase or decrease the range more than the antenna and that is were you put your money. That is assuming the repeater is not a POS and is performing ok to start with.

You are just confusing the issue with a wall of words.

Comet antennas are a trustworthy company, used by ham radio operators for years. Yes, you can trust their gain figures.

I knew someone would be along shortly to promote the myth of the folded dipole.

There are no Ham radio operators with many combined years of experience that use folded dipoles instead of a vertical.

But go ahead and post another wall of words if you like.

 

[prcguy]

No ham radio operators with many combined years of experience? I've been in the commercial 2-way radio business since the late 70s and have owned a successful multi mountain top repeater business where I learned real fast which antennas work and which do not. Been a ham for possibly longer than you've been alive. My comments are based on "many combined years of experience". Maybe you are confusing me with a brand new ham, especially a new Extra Class that has zero experience, zero air time and can't tell you how many amps a 120v 100w light bulb draws.

I would also consider myself a 2-way radio professional and not an amateur. I was also tracked down and asked by one of the larger hobby communications magazines to be their VHF/UHF antenna columnist and write articles for the magazine which I did for awhile. I'm retired now and spend much of my time testing and comparing antennas, that's basically what I do all day long and I try and do my best to provide real world proven facts and not BS here on RR. Exposed dipoles rock, foreign made collinears not so much.

So what are your credentials?

You are just confusing the issue with a wall of words.

Comet antennas are a trustworthy company, used by ham radio operators for years. Yes, you can trust their gain figures.

I knew someone would be along shortly to promote the myth of the folded dipole.

There are no Ham radio operators with many combined years of experience that use folded dipoles instead of a vertical.

But go ahead and post another wall of words if you like.

 

[PreferredCustomer]

Looking to put an antenna up appx 50 feet off the ground, hopefully get some decent range from it.

I'd like to hear some of our very knowledgeable people in here recommendations for best antenna for GMRS or possibly a dual band UHF/VHF antenna.

Looking for recommendations of the best performance & value combination. Money isn't the only consideration, but being honest it certainly is a consideration.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Do not believe the myth of the magical Folded dipole.

No matter how many paragraphs, math figures, and claimed years of experience are thrown out by self proclaimed experts, all you need is a decent vertical antenna and LMR 400 coax. It will serve you well.

Comet antennas have a well earned reputation.

Absolutely no reason to waste your hard earned dollars on a magical folded dipole antenna.

 

[belvdr]

especially a new Extra Class that has zero experience, zero air time and can't tell you how many amps a 120v 100w light bulb draws

I'm an extra and I can tell you that 12,000 amps will be drawn (120x100). That's essentially all the amps anyone would ever need.

 

[belvdr]

You are just confusing the issue with a wall of words.

Comet antennas are a trustworthy company, used by ham radio operators for years. Yes, you can trust their gain figures.

I knew someone would be along shortly to promote the myth of the folded dipole.

There are no Ham radio operators with many combined years of experience that use folded dipoles instead of a vertical.

But go ahead and post another wall of words if you like.

In essence, trust the marketing?

 

[PreferredCustomer]

I'm an extra and I can tell you that 12,000 amps will be drawn (120x100). That's essentially all the amps anyone would ever need.

I thought we were talking about antennas?

 

[prcguy]

I'm not pushing the attributes of a "folded dipole" I'm promoting exposed dipole arrays fed with a corporate divider as having more gain per size than the others. The Commscope you refer to as a folded dipole is not a folded dipole, its a fat dipole that looks like a folded dipole. At least get your terms correct.

Do not believe the myth of the magical Folded dipole.

No matter how many paragraphs, math figures, and claimed years of experience are thrown out by self proclaimed experts, all you need is a decent vertical antenna and LMR 400 coax. It will serve you well.

Comet antennas have a well earned reputation.

Absolutely no reason to waste your hard earned dollars on a magical folded dipole antenna.

 

[PreferredCustomer]

In essence, trust the marketing?

In the case of Diamond Comet, or Larsen antennas, (and some others), yes, you can trust them.

Antennas are a subject with a lot of hype, myth, and sometimes outright lies.

Because a lot (but certainly not all), of GMRS users are less knowledgeable, there is a lot of hype aimed at them.

 

[belvdr]

I thought we were talking about antennas?

Calm down, Frances. It's just a joke.

 

[prcguy]

Per Comet's web site, GP-9 gain on UHF 11.9dB, gain on VHF 8.5db. That is pure fantasy and nowhere near the actual dBd gain.

Per Diamonds web site, X510 series gain on UHF 11.7dB, gain on VHF 8.3dB. That is pure BS and nowhere near the actual dBd gain. They are both lies, you like promoting lies? I don't.

Please explain then, why I took several field strength measurements on my Comet GP-9 rated 11.9dB gain, then swapped a UHF 4 bay dipole array rated 9dBd gain in its place, same spot, same feedline and all the field strength measurements went up right about 3dB? I've done lots of similar tests over the years with about the same results, so this is not my first antenna rodeo.

That means my 4-bay is actually 14.9dB gain or the Comet is actually 6dBd gain. Which one is it? Ok, I'll sort out the BS and tell you the Comet GP-9 is actually around 6dBd gain on UHF and not the ridiculous 11.9 dB they claim. Why? Because the antenna company you trust and tell others to trust lied to you and everyone else to sell more antennas.

In the case of Diamond Comet, or Larsen antennas, (and some others), yes, you can trust them.

Antennas are a subject with a lot of hype, myth, and sometimes outright lies.

Because a lot (but certainly not all), of GMRS users are less knowledgeable, there is a lot of hype aimed at them.

 

[belvdr]

Per Comet's web site, GP-9 gain on UHF 11.9dB, gain on VHF 8.5db. That is pure fantasy and nowhere near the actual dBd gain.

Per Diamonds web site, X510 series gain on UHF 11.7dB, gain on VHF 8.3dB. That is pure BS and nowhere near the actual dBd gain. They are both lies, you like promoting lies? I don't.

Please explain then, why I took several field strength measurements on my Comet GP-9 rated 11.9dB gain, then swapped a UHF 4 bay dipole array rated 9dBd gain in its place, same spot, same feedline and all the field strength measurements went up right about 3dB? I've done lots of similar tests over the years with about the same results, so this is not my first antenna rodeo.

That means my 4-bay is actually 14.9dB gain or the Comet is actually 6dBd gain. Which one is it? Ok, I'll sort out the BS and tell you the Comet GP-9 is actually around 6dBd gain on UHF and not the ridiculous 11.9 dB they claim. Why? Because the antenna company you trust and tell others to trust lied to you and everyone else to sell more antennas.

Hey man, those are just words, which don't compare to marketing.

 

[vagrant]

For GMRS use, whether simplex or hitting nearby repeaters in any direction, a Comet CA-712EFC will work for under $200. You could put it up 50' if you need that height, or already have the tower. You will get a few more miles versus half the height of 25'. More importantly, the antenna should be above any nearby structures. My neighbors roofline is around 25', so the base of my antenna is at 30'. What I do not know is how well the Comet will hold up in Florida at your location in Ocala. Also, as previously noted, LMR-400 or LMR-400UF coaxial cable would be prudent at the GMRS frequency range.

A dual band antenna...do you mean for amateur use? I would and did put up a separate antenna for that, as those are tuned for the amateur bands, so I do not suffer for GMRS. There are a variety of antennas for that, but an inexpensive model is the Diamond X50. It may work fine for banging the nearby repeaters and or local simplex. Again, use either of the LMR-400 versions for that antenna as well.

* You could use the Diamond X50 for GMRS as well, I occasionally still do, but it is not as favorable up there. Still, the reduced performance on GMRS may be fine as you may clobber the repeaters you want to use with it, as well as nearby simplex. The X50 costs less than the Comet and you can dedicate the X50 for amateur use if you later find you need to buy better for GMRS.

Gain numbers matter. To what degree depends on our needs. We use a four bay dipole on club repeater. We do not need 360° coverage, so we set the antenna spread to focus on more of a pie wedge shape and enjoy the gain results from that small spread. If you need a lot of directivity/gain, you should be looking at a UHF Yagi, or dual band log periodic antenna in a vertical orientation. A log periodic would probably handle GMRS freqs too. Add the cost of a rotor to that build out as well.

Looking to put an antenna up appx 50 feet off the ground, hopefully get some decent range from it.

I'd like to hear some of our very knowledgeable people in here recommendations for best antenna for GMRS or possibly a dual band UHF/VHF antenna.