fmorfe Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Putting a repeater on the air shortly. Im looking for recommendations for an antenna. Im looking at the comet or the diamond . Both are rated at about 5.5 db gain. Also have seen a phelps dodge station master for 250 dollars. Not sure if its worth it though. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnE Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 what model PD? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmorfe Posted January 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 8905. 201-509. 460 to 470 mhz.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnE Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 the older 201's are better IMO. I have been using them for over 20 yrs.since PD changed hands yrs ago the new stuff is not the same. of the last 6 RFS 201 we bought 4 went back inside of a yr b/c the radome separated from the support pipe. I still have on in my service bay just because.here is what I have been using for a while, cheap light and work OK 5dbd http://www.tessco.com/products/headerProductSearch.do?searchType=1&searchField=1&searchText=fg4605also in 7dbdhttp://www.tessco.com/products/headerProductSearch.do?searchType=1&searchField=1&searchText=fg4607these are list prices if you hunt around you can find them for almost half that.here is the current 201http://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=341716&eventPage=5 I am not to familiar w/the comet or diamond antennas ,you'll have to search here to see what thought are on those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truevil Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 I have a Comet CA-712EFC and it has performed very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan5 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 Also very happy with the Comet CA-712EFC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake313 Posted February 19, 2015 Report Share Posted February 19, 2015 For what it's worth. I'm not sure what size setup you are looking at. For a small to medium coverage area setup. There is a ham guy who makes some outstanding jpole antennas. I just bought this one http://www.jpole-antenna.com/shop/462-mhz-land-mobile-gmrs-j-pole-antenna/ My systems is small. My antenna is only up about 15ft. I'm running the repeater at 25 watts and am covering a good 5-7 miles solid with just that setup. If I could test with the antenna higher, I'm sure the performance would easily increase to a comparable $200 antenna. I am very impressed on the performance of this antenna. *Edit* I'm also using LMR400 with it, but planning to upgrade to some hardline. Feedline is just as important as the antenna. Keep that in mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zap Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 I've got a VHF channel master laying around somewhere…only down side to them is that the VHF ones are 20ft long and a single piece. I've got a 6dB Telewave antenna that was being used temporarily and worked well. For a building installation/tower install I try and use nothing less than a DB408…usually end up using 420's though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gortex2 Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 If you want an antenna to last a lifetime spend a bit more and buy a DB404. I run these on all my repeaters and have yet to have an issue including when they are iced over or not. I also use one as a portable antenna on my mobile repeater and being all aluminum holds up better than any fiberglass stick i have ever tried. Logan5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zap Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 This is my "stash". http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg586/zap_uh_lack/Mobile%20Uploads/E9EB3837-8ED9-461A-B6F9-3A8DD353178B_zpstjuyvi2s.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gortex2 Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Awesome picture....looks about identical to my pile behind my barn. I think i have antenna's from 30MHZ all the way to 900MZ and at least 2 towers laying in the pile ! Of course mine is currently burried in the snow ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvfreetage Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 ZAP... your "stash" pic just made my day. is that a conex box there next to the pile? 73 james Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zap Posted April 3, 2015 Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 I don't believe so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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