how to tune comet ssb-5 ant

[javatro]

Hi have this ant no tuning instructions ,dual band 2m / 440

Need some help please .

VE3SMY

 

[T04KLH9PW7AN]

They are not tunable therefore no tuning instructions are needed. One must ensure one gets the proper version for the north american band plan.

 

[LtDoc]

I think I'd check it before trying to tune it. If it checks within reason, leave it alone. If it's below about 2:1 SWR it's probably doing as good as it's going to get, which isn't all that bad really. At this point it doesn't sound like you know (or you didn't tell us) just how 'bad' it's tune is.
- 'Doc

 

[N8IAA]

Read his other post here. He's having trouble with receiving 2m/440 on that antenna.
Larry

 

[LtDoc]

Didn't know there was another thread about this. There are quite a few possible reasons for not hearing much on any particular antenna. It can range from a defective antenna to a defective installation, to unrealistic expectations.
Good luck with it.
- 'Doc

 

[robertmac]

The OP really did not specify receive or transmit. He did state it was a 2 m/440, but if trying to receive outside the ham bands, the antenna may not be wide band. I did not take the time to look up that particular antenna, but have had antennas that had lousy receive the further up the frequencies one went. They may receive well in the 2 m band but around 170 some just suck at receiving. But that is the nature of the antenna. If in the 2 m/440, could be his set up, that is poor coax, connectors, mag. mount, coax through door, etc., etc., . As with a lot of posts on these threads there is so much detail lacking that one has to assume so much. And you know what assume means. If posters would explain more fully their setup and frequencies that are a problem, might eliminate a lot of my posts and others that have to assume.

 

[dksac2]

I had a Comet SSB-5 and it was an OK antenna. It can be tuned some with the small hex bolt at the bottom, but not much and it's going to do both bands at once.

I switched to the Comet CA-4X4 antenna and it was like night and day. The 4X4 is made for EMCOMM work, has more gain than the SS-5 and has a very wide bandwidth, it can be used with GMRS with an SWR well under 2 to 1 when tuned for 2m/70CM and can be tuned for each band.
I think it's a real sleeper, I get compliments all of the time on how well I sound on it, it has fantastic range and folds over easily.
I bought the NMO version and put an NMO mount right in the middle of the roof of my vehicle, same place I had the SS-5.

One also has to be careful where they are buying antennas from too, there are counterfit Comets made in China showing up on E Bay and a few other places, buy from a good ham radio dealer.
Read the reviews on them on EHam. People who have them all rave about how well they work and they are right.

73's John

 

[n6dlh]

Usually when an New antenna install has a problem, I go strait to the coax. Lack of information from the OP is the tough part. With little information it is hard to tell what may be going on.

I agree with the post above, I have the Comet sr4x4 antenna it works remarkably well.

 

[dksac2]

The Comet SR 4 X 4 is one of the highest rated mobile antennas on EHam reviews (maybe even the highest rated).
Mounted with a NMO mount in the middle of a car roof, making sure you get to bare metal inside of the hole so the antenna gets the best ground to the vehicle possible make for one heck of a great antenna.

John