Smiley Antennas in Canada

thumper7458

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Oct 22, 2021
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Toronto Ontario
Does anyone know of a distributor for Smiley Antennas in Canada or more specifically in Toronto, looking at the website and it doesn't look like they ship outside the United States. I hear really great recommendations for their products and would like to purchase a few of their antennas.
 

ko6jw_2

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Santa Ynez, CA
I would suggest calling them directly. They seem to suggest that they do ship outside the US, but when I tried to edit my customer information it would no let me select anything except United States. I'm not sure they sell through dealers. I've always ordered direct from them.
 

thumper7458

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Oct 22, 2021
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Location
Toronto Ontario
I would suggest calling them directly. They seem to suggest that they do ship outside the US, but when I tried to edit my customer information it would no let me select anything except United States. I'm not sure they sell through dealers. I've always ordered direct from them.
I did, I left a message and so far no reply.... shame, I was really looking forward to purchasing a few antennas
 

kf8yk

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May 3, 2003
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HRO might be able to supply what you want as a non returnable special order.

Keep in mind this weekend is the July 4th holiday in the States, I wouldn’t expect a reply from anyone until Tuesday at the earliest.
 

iMONITOR

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Thanks for the recommendations, however both suggestions cater to the ham bands I was looking for the specific Airband that Smiley Antennas offer, Still no response from Smiley Antenna's yet :(
Does anyone know of a distributor for Smiley Antennas in Canada or more specifically in Toronto, looking at the website and it doesn't look like they ship outside the United States. I hear really great recommendations for their products and would like to purchase a few of their antennas.

These frequently show up on Ebay from sellers that ship to Canada.

 

ko6jw_2

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I have owned and do own several Smiley Antennas. Mainly the 5/8 wave slim duck models for 2 meters, 220 and 440. One of the things I like is their modular design with a selection of connectors. I have been able to order new bases for older antennas that originally came with BNC connectors and adapt them to newer radios with SMA's. I have never owned any of their aircraft antennas, but there is one important caveat: They don't cover the entire 118-136MHz band with one antenna. You can order them for different segments of the band. Rubber duck antennas are not as efficient as full size antennas. You might get better results on the air band with a telescoping whip set for the middle of the band. Also, Yeasu and Icom make antennas for their aircraft HT's that might be more broad banded.

The performance of Smiley antennas is good and they are well made. However, as an antenna junkie, I can also say that they are not significantly better than Diamond or Comet for HT use. Also, they are mostly monobanders and I use them on monoband HT's.
 
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thumper7458

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Oct 22, 2021
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Location
Toronto Ontario
Thanks for the info, I find that my Diamond SRH77CA outperforms the Remtronix 842 on Airbands on the BCD496, I may get another one for the with for my BCD496 as I have moved the original SRH77CA that I purchased over to my Yaesu FT5DR. My problem is that I'm always thinking that there is something better out there than what I have lol
 

thumper7458

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Joined
Oct 22, 2021
Messages
29
Location
Toronto Ontario
I have owned and do own several Smiley Antennas. Mainly the 5/8 wave slim duck models for 2 meters, 220 and 440. One of the things I like is their modular design with a selection of connectors. I have been able to order new bases for older antennas that originally came with BNC connectors and adapt them to newer radios with SMA's. I have never owned any of their aircraft antennas, but there is one important caveat: They don't cover the entire 118-136MHz band with one antenna. You can order them for different segments of the band. Rubber duck antennas are not as efficient as full size antennas. You might get better results on the air band with a telescoping whip set for the middle of the band. Also, Yeasu and Icom make antennas for their aircraft HT's that might be more broad banded.

The performance of Smiley antennas is good and they are well made. However, as an antenna junkie, I can also say that they are not significantly better than Diamond or Comet for HT use. Also, they are mostly monobanders and I use them on monoband HT's.

Thanks for the info, I find that my Diamond SRH77CA outperforms the Remtronix 842 on Airbands on the BCD496, I may get another one for my BCD496 as I have moved the original SRH77CA that I purchased over to my Yaesu FT5DR. My problem is that I'm always thinking that there is something better out there than what I have lol
 

ko6jw_2

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Of course the Diamond performs better. It's close to a quarter wave than the Remtronics. However, despite the fact that it is popular among scanner users, it is a 2 meter/440 antenna. It won't receive as well on airband nor will it do well on low band or 700/800 MHz. By all means use it on the FT5DR. You might want to use a telescoping whip for air. Set it to about 23 inches as a quarter wave. It will out perform shorter antennas.
 
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