Comet CA-2X4SR Antenna

[dksac2]

I use a Yaesu 7900 2M/70CM in my vehicle, but a short while ago got a 25 watt GMRS radio.
I had the comet SR-5 (I think that's the model number)
When using the other ntenna, the SWR was a little on the high side with the GMRS radio, otherwise it worked pretty good.

I read about the CA-2X4SR being an antenna that was a wide band mobile antenna, made for the ECOMM people.

I bought one, with the NMO mount which I have right in the middle of the cab of my truck in a perm mount.

I could not be happier, the SWR is very low in the 2M/70CM range and slightly less than 2 to 1 in the GMRS range. I have not even adjusted it yet, I'm betting I could tweek it even better with some work.
The other thing is my transmit /receive range is far better and very clear.

It's a fairly stiff antenna, so picket fencing has not been a problem and it has the fold down feature.

The ability to talk at different simplex frequencies and regular frequencies at the ends of the bands without big changes in SWR IS GREAT.

I have talked with others who have switched to this antenna and everyone seems to really love it. It has excellent gain and is just plain a talker. It's not too tall, not too short. It works in canyons, in the clear or urban, it does everything well. The reports on EHAM are all excellent, the reviews speak for themselves.

Try one, you'll stick with it and talk further and clearer than with any other single antenna made. At $60.00, it's not the cheapest, but is worth spending $20.00 more than the average antenna and is worth every penney.

John

 

[LtDoc]

I'm not a big fan of just adding to reviews because I'm happy with a particular device. I think adding useful information is good, just agreeing that something works is a bit redundant. So I think the 'bad' things about any device is a very useful thing to add to these sort of things. The CA-2X4SR does have a characteristic or two that isn't exactly 'perfect'. Nothing that can't be corrected or compensated for, but they are there.
I'm happy with the CA2X4SR! It does what I want in a very acceptable manner, dual band, not just ham bands. So what's my gripe? It's stiff. Count on hitting things and hearing the car make noises when you do. Depending on how it's mounted, and the speed at which you hit something, there is a possibility that the vehicle's metal will be deformed. That's just a fact of life, happens with any antenna so not a huge biggy. Just be aware of it.
Any antenna that uses set screws to hold things together is subject to 'loosening up' over time. It's a very good idea to check those set screws occasionally. Maybe add some 'lock-tite' if/when needed. It will happen even if you never hit anything with the antenna, just keep it in mind.
The CA2X4SR is -usable- over a wide range of frequencies. It works very well in some ranges, not so well in others. Perfectly normal. It doesn't have huge gain anywhere but then gain isn't all that important in general. I've been that route, the gain thingy. Wound up giving the high gain antenna away because it was impractical in this area, hit everything, even low flying aircraft. (Exaggeration? Sure, but not much of one.) The difference in what could be heard just wasn't worth the effort to me.
I have two CA2X4SR's, different mounting connectors. One or the other of them has been on every vehicle I've owned in the last few years. The CA-2X4SR works just dandy for me in how I use it. YMMV naturally. I'd have to rate it a 4 out of 5. One reason for that '4' instead of a '5' is that I can find something 'wrong' with anything (the color doesn't match my latest car)! If I should happen to break my CA2X4SR, I hope they are still available when I do.
- 'Doc

(I occasionally do something right, this happens to be one of them.)

 

[dksac2]

Good Points LTDOC. I was just so darn pleased with the antenna, I had to do a post.

I think the best feature is the wideband performance, it works so darn well with radios that may be outside of normal Amateur ranges. I work a lot of EMCOM and sometimes need to plug in a handheld county radio, and even with the SWR a little higher, it gets the signal out where the rubber duck does not.
It's a medium gain antenna, but as you said, gain is not everything. It must have a very good radiation pattern because it works better than most, I consistantly get very good signal reports, sometimes at some very long distances for a vehicle antenna. It is an antenna that should be mounted directly to the vehicle body for best ground and performance. I do think that that makes a difference. My old but great 1990 1500 Blazer did not seem to mind a bit when I cut a 3/4" hole in her roof for the NMO mount.
Doc, my mount goes through the roof and a suppot beam under the roof skin. I've been careful not to hit anything much, but I think the antenna may get the worst of it should I hit something solid.

Thanks for your thoughts 73's John

 

[windturbinestar]

I use a Yaesu 7900 2M/70CM in my vehicle, but a short while ago got a 25 watt GMRS radio.
I had the comet SR-5 (I think that's the model number)
When using the other ntenna, the SWR was a little on the high side with the GMRS radio, otherwise it worked pretty good.

I read about the CA-2X4SR being an antenna that was a wide band mobile antenna, made for the ECOMM people.

I bought one, with the NMO mount which I have right in the middle of the cab of my truck in a perm mount.

I could not be happier, the SWR is very low in the 2M/70CM range and slightly less than 2 to 1 in the GMRS range. I have not even adjusted it yet, I'm betting I could tweek it even better with some work.
The other thing is my transmit /receive range is far better and very clear.

It's a fairly stiff antenna, so picket fencing has not been a problem and it has the fold down feature.

The ability to talk at different simplex frequencies and regular frequencies at the ends of the bands without big changes in SWR IS GREAT.

I have talked with others who have switched to this antenna and everyone seems to really love it. It has excellent gain and is just plain a talker. It's not too tall, not too short. It works in canyons, in the clear or urban, it does everything well. The reports on EHAM are all excellent, the reviews speak for themselves.

Try one, you'll stick with it and talk further and clearer than with any other single antenna made. At $60.00, it's not the cheapest, but is worth spending $20.00 more than the average antenna and is worth every penney.

John

My Comet CA-2x4SR is now 12 years old and going strong. Of course, I don't keep it mounted everyday, so that partially explains the longevity plus the robust construction. I use it on a 5-inch mag mount and the combination will withstand 70 MPH Interstate speeds. Now that I'm active in ARES, I wouldn't part with it for twice the price, and it works well in fringe VHF/UHF reception areas for field deployments.

 

[dksac2]

The antenna has quite a bit of gain for it's length. You would have to go to a much longer antena just to pick up a couple DB.

Bottom line is that the antenna really talks, on both bands.
I had a SSB-5 Comet on the truck originally and there is quite a difference.
The web site that has people report on just about anything radio has 3 to 4 pages of comments, I don't think there is one bad comment.

It is a fairly stiff antenna, good to get rid of picket fencing, but bad if it hits something solid, so there are always trade offs. it does have the fold over feature and I have a 1/4 wave antenna to replace it with if I'm off roading or going someplace with tree's etc. Going into a low roof multi level garage, just remove it.

It's about as perfect as it can be, no matter what antenna you buy, there will always be a compromise.

I just wanted to share something I found to be superior as to wide banding and great range. Well built, it should last for years.

My Best, John