Tram or Diamond Discone Antenna

[boone53061]

After not having a scanner for a few years and having moved I find myself in need of an antenna. I just purchased a BCD536HP and need to decide which antenna would be best. I'm looking at the Diamond D130NJ and the Tram 1410 or1411. I had a discone antenna in the past and it worked well. The D130 gets mentioned but the Tram is half the price and sounds like it works just as well.

Is there any preference between the two or anyone have another option. I monitor our local police/sheriff, fire, utilities, medical. Some are using a trunk system. I would like the antenna to be able to reach a 30-mile radius without needing too much height if possible.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[mmckenna]

The D130 gets mentioned but the Tram is half the price and sounds like it works just as well.

I scored a free D130N about 10-15 years ago. It had been up at a site for a few years, but never utilized. I took it down and put it up at the end of my house. I've had zero issues with it and the price was right.

Tram/Browning are knockoff Chinese antennas. You could absolutely give it a try, but there's usually a reason why they are so much cheaper.

I would like the antenna to be able to reach a 30-mile radius without needing too much height if possible.

Depends on your local topography. The antenna itself won't pull a signal out of the air if there isn't one there in the first place.

 

[CHHTX]

I have both. Started with the TRAM and then changed to the D130N. At the time, I was in a quite busy area (Houston) and didn't notice a difference. My idea though is that you can always regret for not going "better" and you'll never regret it for choosing the better option. The price difference might seem like a lot now but in a month, it won't even come to mind and you'll be glad you went with the Diamond.

 

[Ubbe]

If two discones are of the same size and have the same number of elements, usually 8 at the bottom and 8 at the top, then they will perform the same. It's just the mechanical design that differs that one can use cheaper materials and in a storm or if it picks up ice in the winter the elements can break off.

If it's easy to access the antenna then a cheap one can be easily replaced but otherwise the more costly one will hold up longer without any maintenance. Metal can corrode and the cheap one can do that quicker when using cheaper material. But then you can replace it earlier with a fresh discone at half the price or if you by then you decide to make a different antenna solution, discone didn't perform as needed, you haven't spent too much on it.

/Ubbe

 

[GadgetGeek]

The D-130 is very well made. I know of one that's been up 20 years through many northeastern storms unphased.

I've had elements break off on a cheaper discone.

Should have bought the Diamond in the first place.

 

[boone53061]

I ordered the Diamond, and it should be arriving today. Can't wait to get it all hooked up!

 

[GadgetGeek]

Excellent choice. Love mine and I'm sure you will too.

 

[Alain]

When I was an itty-bitty ham radio op, I had initially bought a Radio Shack discone. The first 70+[gust] Santa Ana wind that blew through here in 2003 bent several of the cone elements. Had a ham buddy who worked at RF Parts and he suggested the Diamond. That's been 20 year ago. It has been rained on, snowed on and buffeted about by the 2007 wildfire/wind gusts [peaked at 66 MPH]...still up there on a 6' mast. Up about 25'. It also works on 220 MHz...

 

[va176thunderbolt]

I installed my Diamond D3000N about 17 years ago. It's about 20' off the ground - just about my roof. I used 75' of LMR400 for the feedline. We've had some pretty gusty winds in central Ohio (as high as 80mph), and other than a tad dirty, the antenna looks like it was the day I put it up.
Works great on 2m and 70cm - swr is still <1.3:1). Great antenna for starting out - lots of flexibility and very durable.
Also works great connected to my scanner.
Highly recommended.

 

[TGuelker]

I had a Tram 1410 and swapped it with the Diamond D130NJ after reading opinions about the quality difference (stainless vs pot metal)

The radials on the Tram are solid, whereas the radials on the Diamond are hollow, like a telescoping antenna for a portable radio. My wife was assisting me installing the Diamond and dropped it, bending one of the radials. These can’t just be bent back. Fortunately Amazon felt sorry for me and exchanged it.

The radials on the Tram are threaded and use a jam nut to keep them tight. The Diamond uses pointed set screws that dimple the hollow radial.

The ID of the antenna mount tube is slightly larger than the OD of a Type N connector, which means double layering Super 88 tape and coax seal won’t fit.

Since the connector is way up inside the tube, I only used Super 88 doubled back.

I didn’t piggyback the antenna tube to the mast. It fit nicely inside the 10’ conduit I used.

Remember, I am a 66 year old retired auto mechanic, and know little about this so don’t lambast me.