I found it! Metropolitan tri-band antenna.

[OkieBoyKJ5JFG]

I've been trying to find a 140/220/440 solution for my truck. The only decent ground plane on the entire vehicle is the roof, and I don't want to mount a really tall antenna on a roof that's already almost 7' above the ground. I have tested a few tri-band antennas on a mag mount on the roof, but the ones which gave me good SWRs and signal were all 36-52" tall. That's just too much for me. Others may have a different opinion; you do you. I saw a couple of good reviews for the 19" Metropolitan tri-band antenna and decided to roll the dice and order it. First, I put it on the NMO in the center of the roof of my Chevrolet Trax and SWRs were below 1.5:1 on 2m, 1.25m, 70cm, and even GMRS and MURS. Okay, I'm impressed. I then put it on a mag mount on top of my truck with the same result. I don't know how they managed to make an antenna work on 5 bands, but that's pretty darned good. (Okay, I don't know if it truly "works" on GMRS or MURS, because it isn't designed for those bands, but at least the SWR is good, and it's probably better than a straightened coat hanger.) It doesn't seem to need a really large ground plane. I was able to get great readings with the mag mount positioned where I can easily reach it by standing on the running board, so it doesn't have to go all the way to the center of the roof. So, the truck is finally going to get an NMO on the roof and I'm going to order another Metropolitan for the car. On the car, I've been using an SB224 which also performs well on 4 bands (great SWR on MURS, but I haven't tested the signal), but it's twice as tall as the Metropolitan. The Metropolitan isn't even what I'd call very expensive. It's not a cheapie, but at a single Benjamin, I'm okay with it if it's the only antenna I need. The wait time is long -- I think I waited about 6 weeks -- but for now, the car is okay with the SB224.

 

[prcguy]

I‘ve had a metropolitan for a good 10yrs and never use it because it doesn’t work very well. I’m pretty sure my COMPACtenna 7.5” 2m,220, 440 triband works better.

 

[OkieBoyKJ5JFG]

I‘ve had a metropolitan for a good 10yrs and never use it because it doesn’t work very well. I’m pretty sure my COMPACtenna 7.5” 2m,220, 440 triband works better.

Maybe it won't work well for me either. I'll find out. Some people certainly report good results with it. The Compactenna was my other choice. If the Metropolitan lets me down, maybe I'll try it. I have a dual-band Compactenna and haven't been impressed with its performance, though.

 

[K9KLC]

I'm guessing for some reason you're only wanting a short antenna even sacrificing signal?

 

[K9KLC]

Ive got a no longer made Austin 220 antenna and frankly for its size it works great. I wish they still made them. I need to get a tri-bander for my work truck but I have to use a hood mount on that truck and currently have the Diamond SG-7900 on it for VHF and UHF but now I want all three bands and the longest tri-bander I can find is only 36 inches. not sure how that's gonna work on a hood mount.

 

[K9KLC]

I‘ve had a metropolitan for a good 10yrs and never use it because it doesn’t work very well. I’m pretty sure my COMPACtenna 7.5” 2m,220, 440 triband works better.

I can only tell you when I tried that COMPACtenna in my application it was horrible. I'm glad you had good luck with it. That's where I learned if I wanted to talk get and talk and park in the garage, I'd simply have to fold it over. I ran the Comet SBB224 with pretty good results mounted up top on the roof. For a long time I used a separate 220 antenna and then longer 2 meter 70 CM stuff but my current work truck with the ladder racks isn't going to let that happen or I'd just put my Austin 220 up on the roof. Also now I'm running a TRI-band radio, rather than a separate 220-and 2 meter/70CM radio and it's easier to just have one antenna and a triplexer rather than duplexing the 2/70 and running a separate wire in for 220.

 

[OkieBoyKJ5JFG]

I'm guessing for some reason you're only wanting a short antenna even sacrificing signal?

Well, I certainly don't want my truck/antenna combo to be 10 feet high. What would I do with that extra signal anyway? I can't hit any more repeaters with a big antenna than with a small one in the places I go most. Perhaps it would make a noticeable difference on simplex -- if there was anyone to talk to on 2m/70cm/1.25m simplex. I'm currently using a Diamond SG7900 for 2m/70cm/GMRS and it does extend my range on GMRS enough that I can tell it, but I'm okay with giving that up. I just have to be a bit closer to the repeaters. I don't use them a lot anyway. Once the NMO mount is in place on the roof, I can swap in a taller antenna if I have a particular need for it, but for everyday errands, it's a pain to be constantly checking to see if I can go under something.

I can only tell you when I tried that COMPACtenna in my application it was horrible. I'm glad you had good luck with it. That's where I learned if I wanted to talk get and talk and park in the garage, I'd simply have to fold it over. I ran the Comet SBB224 with pretty good results mounted up top on the roof. For a long time I used a separate 220 antenna and then longer 2 meter 70 CM stuff but my current work truck with the ladder racks isn't going to let that happen or I'd just put my Austin 220 up on the roof. Also now I'm running a TRI-band radio, rather than a separate 220-and 2 meter/70CM radio and it's easier to just have one antenna and a triplexer rather than duplexing the 2/70 and running a separate wire in for 220.

It's interesting how different everyone's experiences are with a given antenna. Differences in the vehicle's shape, electronics, etc. probably play roles. My observation has been that if an antenna gets universally bad reviews, it's probably a bad antenna, if it gets universally good reviews, it's worth a try but don't count on it, and if it gets mixed reviews, it's a crapshoot.

 

[K9KLC]

Well, I certainly don't want my truck/antenna combo to be 10 feet high. What would I do with that extra signal anyway? I can't hit any more repeaters with a big antenna than with a small one in the places I go most. Perhaps it would make a noticeable difference on simplex -- if there was anyone to talk to on 2m/70cm/1.25m simplex. I'm currently using a Diamond SG7900 for 2m/70cm/GMRS and it does extend my range on GMRS enough that I can tell it, but I'm okay with giving that up. I just have to be a bit closer to the repeaters. I don't use them a lot anyway. Once the NMO mount is in place on the roof, I can swap in a taller antenna if I have a particular need for it, but for everyday errands, it's a pain to be constantly checking to see if I can go under something.

It's interesting how different everyone's experiences are with a given antenna. Differences in the vehicle's shape, electronics, etc. probably play roles. My observation has been that if an antenna gets universally bad reviews, it's probably a bad antenna, if it gets universally good reviews, it's worth a try but don't count on it, and if it gets mixed reviews, it's a crapshoot.

The one repeater I usually talk on, on 220 is some distance away and 95% of my mobile usage is simplex on 2meters and 1.25 meters. If you're hitting all you want with the smaller antenna I agree there's little need to change. For the record I was not recommending a 10 foot antenna, only a 36 inch one. However given the context I'll say good luck and thanks for helping keep 1.25 meters alive. We need all the help we can get on that band. 73.

 

[OkieBoyKJ5JFG]

The one repeater I usually talk on, on 220 is some distance away and 95% of my mobile usage is simplex on 2meters and 1.25 meters. If you're hitting all you want with the smaller antenna I agree there's little need to change. For the record I was not recommending a 10 foot antenna, only a 36 inch one. However given the context I'll say good luck and thanks for helping keep 1.25 meters alive. We need all the help we can get on that band. 73.

Even a 3 foot antenna would make my truck 10 feet tall. There may be times when I want one, and I can put it on then.

There's a 1.25 meter repeater in Oklahoma City that works, but I've literally never heard anyone on it. Whenever I'm in range, I throw out my call sign, so perhaps eventually I can get people to start using it. There are four 1.25 meter repeaters in the Tulsa area and they get used regularly, so apparently it's a regional thing.

 

[K9KLC]

Even a 3 foot antenna would make my truck 10 feet tall. There may be times when I want one, and I can put it on then.

There's a 1.25 meter repeater in Oklahoma City that works, but I've literally never heard anyone on it. Whenever I'm in range, I throw out my call sign, so perhaps eventually I can get people to start using it. There are four 1.25 meter repeaters in the Tulsa area and they get used regularly, so apparently it's a regional thing.

Keep at it, that's what I did here. Actually arranged to have the repeater worked on and lined up and now it's getting some use. We're not done working on it yet but hopefully soon we'll have it top shelf and then it's on to the 900 MHz machine we're gonna have up.

Just keep after those guys. If you can get one user and he can get one then maybe it will take off from there. Good luck!!

 

[prcguy]

I can only tell you when I tried that COMPACtenna in my application it was horrible. I'm glad you had good luck with it. That's where I learned if I wanted to talk get and talk and park in the garage, I'd simply have to fold it over. I ran the Comet SBB224 with pretty good results mounted up top on the roof. For a long time I used a separate 220 antenna and then longer 2 meter 70 CM stuff but my current work truck with the ladder racks isn't going to let that happen or I'd just put my Austin 220 up on the roof. Also now I'm running a TRI-band radio, rather than a separate 220-and 2 meter/70CM radio and it's easier to just have one antenna and a triplexer rather than duplexing the 2/70 and running a separate wire in for 220.

COMPACtenna has improved their design over the years and the current 9” tall antennas are noticeably better on 2m compared to the shorter ones and about equal to a full 1/4 wave 19” whip on 2m.

 

[K9KLC]

COMPACtenna has improved their design over the years and the current 9” tall antennas are noticeably better on 2m compared to the shorter ones and about equal to a full 1/4 wave 19” whip on 2m.

I'll have to get one and try it. Usually the shorter antennas don't work well for what we do in this area. Im even concerned going to the comet SBB224 from the SG7900 but I neee to try and accomplish radio stuff with only one antenna. I'll give both a try. Frankly if I could get it on top the truck, it might be ok but sliding ladders off and on all day I'm pretty certain either me or one of the guys would bust it up. Thanks for the info.

 

[k7ng]

I‘ve had a metropolitan for a good 10yrs and never use it because it doesn’t work very well. I’m pretty sure my COMPACtenna 7.5” 2m,220, 440 triband works better.

+1 for the Compactenna.
And I used Austin antennas for a long time. For various reasons, never again.

 

[kk9h]

I had an Austin Metropolitan tri-bander many years ago on the rear trunk lid of my car with a permanently installed NMO mount. I gave it to a friend who was a new ham and needed a mobile antenna to get started and later always regretted it. I thought these antennas were no longer made and I am delighted to see that you can still get them. I had a Kenwood TM-742 tri-band radio with the 220 MHz band unit installed and the Metropolitan was just perfect for that radio. They worked beautifully together. The Metropolitan is basically a 1/4 wave on all three bands. I really liked that antenna and may order another one. Thanks for the post!