Niljon Super M vs Austin Spectra

[ka3nxn]

I am looking for anyone who has actual expiereince wiht these 2 antennas. I listen as low as 46MHz and the local county just purchased a new 800MHz system. I am using a 796D radio. I have had the Spectra for over 5 years and am intrigued by the Niljon Super M. Any input would be appreciated. I have the Spectra mounted on the roof of my Ford Explorer and I would put the Super M on the same truck only in a different spot on the roof. Is it worth my time & money swapping out to the Super M, or am I wasting my $? Some folks tell me yes it is a far superior, but cannot substatiate their claims. Email me your response ka3nxn@arrl.net

 

[nosoup4u]

I owned both antenna's at one point and I wasn't impressed with either of them on 800Mhz. Over all, I think the Nil-Jon is a better antenna, if you can get past how ugly it is.

 

[ka3nxn]

I did it

Well the Niljon came in yestrday and from first impressions, I notice that I am hearing a distant repeater on 159 MHz that before it woulld onlty break the squehch. The band where I was most cincerned whuch is 46Mhz, The Niljon seemed to perform as good as my Spectra. I will have to take a few more readings and time to get some more conclosive results.

I will be settung up such a test and I will post it here,

Jaime - KA3NXN

 

[mkewman]

w00t! i'm excited to hear your results jaime.

 

[MacombMonitor]

I think they're both overrated, and over priced.

 

[suttles1972]

I agree on it being overpriced and over rated. I am using a Niljon as a base and I must say that it isn't much better than a traditional discone. My primary use is for 800mhz, of course. And it seems that it works with full quieting 80% of the time. The other 20% results to static and scratchy comms. I'm using approximately 80 feet of 9913 for coax, so I'm getting strong signalling on VHF and UHF transmissions. I just believe that this antenna isn't quite up to the job on capturing and holding onto 800mhz, especially distant signals. I think I'm gonna set my sights on a Diamond Discone for my next investment. I've tried the Scantenna Dipole, in which marks as the best I've own to this date. But the antenna was too large to my liking. That's what pointed my focus on the NilJon. But the Niljon has really disappointed me as a base, for it's not functioning no where like the dipole.