Create CLP-5130-1N

[Diverdan86]

I have no personal experience with that 6 meter antenna, though MFJ isn't always highly regarded.
The A-99 seems to be liked by many. I'm not a CB'er so my opinion isn't worth much.

The Discone is a "do everything, but do it poorly" type of solution. I have a Diamond, and it's worked for me. They are low performance antennas (all discone's are) and their only benefit is wide bandwidth. If budget isn't a factor, consider band specific antennas for what you want. A band specific antenna with a bit of gain will easily out perform the discone.
If a discone is really what you want, consider the Diamond D130NJ. It has the N connector on the base, and that's a better option for higher frequencies. I've had mine up for 10+ years now, and it's done just fine. Some of the cheaper discone antennas have hollow elements that will bend/break easily.

Love the suggestion. I am now looking into the Diamond Antenna D3000N and the Diamond Antenna D3000N

 

[mmckenna]

Love the suggestion. I am now looking into the Diamond Antenna D3000N and the Diamond Antenna D3000N

I'd save a few bucks and go with the D150.
There isn't much to listen to above the 900MHz band. Very rare to hear much on the 1.2GHz ham radio band. Everything else above that is either LTE, data, or stuff you won't be able to decode. In other words, paying the extra money to get the coverage up to 3GHz is kind of pointless. As I think was said above, the pattern of the antennas get really wonky as you go up in range, so being far away from any metropolitan areas, you are unlikely to hear much useful above the 800MHz band, if even that.

Also, those discone antennas suck below the VHF band. They are not good antennas for 6 meters, and they don't do diddly squat on CB.

 

[Diverdan86]

I'd save a few bucks and go with the D150.
There isn't much to listen to above the 900MHz band. Very rare to hear much on the 1.2GHz ham radio band. Everything else above that is either LTE, data, or stuff you won't be able to decode. In other words, paying the extra money to get the coverage up to 3GHz is kind of pointless. As I think was said above, the pattern of the antennas get really wonky as you go up in range, so being far away from any metropolitan areas, you are unlikely to hear much useful above the 800MHz band, if even that.

Also, those discone antennas suck below the VHF band. They are not good antennas for 6 meters, and they don't do diddly squat on CB.

Good points as usual sir. Glad to know I can transmit with these things. It’s crazy, everyone that talks about them always seems neglected to mention transmitting, everybody only talks about scanning lol. With the money saved I’ll probably just get a separate 6 m antenna like you mentioned.

 

[mmckenna]

That's because they are not great at transmitting. Like I said, their only redeeming factor is that they cover a lot of bandwidth. They don't do it well, but they do cover it.

 

[Diverdan86]

I use vertical polarization on mine. Section of mast above rotor is pvc stuffed with a wooden dowel to make it more rigid. Good performer.

Please do tell more! What bands have you tried it on? Receive and transmit decent? AM, FM, SSB?

 

[Diverdan86]

I would run that log periodic antenna vertically unless you plan to use SSB "regularly". Most stations 144 MHz and up are vertically polarized, especially using FM. Imagine going from 500 watts to 5 watts, or more, with the wrong polarization. That loss is also during RX as well. You'll need a rotor, or again you will suffer TX/RX loss if not pointed in the direction of the station you wish to TX/RX. If I had to use only one antenna and needed that bandwidth, I would just use a discone and enjoy the omni-directional aspect without having to constantly spin the antenna. Just put the discone above the roofline and enjoy the significantly easier mounting aspect, versus what would be needed for that particular log periodic. ( I use multiple antennas that offer gain on all the frequencies you mentioned - I'm in no mood for one antenna, but that's me )

Also, a 125' run of coax is not going to be friendly on UHF unless you plan on running some decent coaxial cable like LDF4-50A, LMR-600, or better. If you could do a 50' run even LMR-400 coax would be okay.

Very interesting. I’m sure I will end up with multiple antennas like you mentioned, however, I’m trying to start off small while still allowing *some* operation on all license free/GMRS/ham technician bands. Did you make the antennas you mentioned or buy them? Are they all basically verticals or combination?

 

[vagrant]

Combination as well as most were purchased.

 

[trimmerj]

Please do tell more! What bands have you tried it on? Receive and transmit decent? AM, FM, SSB?

Use it mostly for vhf high and uhf. I've got a general license but no ham ticket, so no transmitting. I also use it for Ota TV and milair. I was lucky to get it at no cost, it's pretty expensive.