Best Home Basestation Antenna for Either 50 Watt Midland or 50 Watt Wouxon?

[GMRS4TheWin]

I have a Midland MXT500, and a Wouxon 1000G. I would like to use them with power supplies and setup a base station in my garage. The only antenna I have is a Midland MXTA26 (6DB Gain). It works, but I would like a better antenna for home use to maximize my FARS (perhaps a Fong or Comet). I can put it in my attic, or on the outside of my home as long as it is under 20 feet. Thoughts? Thanks! Mostly for repeater use.

[WRYZ926]

The Comet CA-712EFC is a great antenna that is very popular with a lot of people.

[gortex2]

TRAM 1486 is mentioned alot. I use the Laird FG series myself. I prefer a LMR branded antenna as I know it will work. 

[WRXP381]

Comet 712efc another vote.  Best antenna i have found in the price range.  With my 20w base i get well over 200 miles from it.   Mounted only 30 high.    Every single person i know in real life that has had a fong has tossed them in the trash and purchased a comet 712efc.   

[WSAM454]

Comets are very popular.  

Just be aware when comparing gain figures that some makers give them as  dBi and some as dBd.   The dBi ones will be higher; over-simplifying,  it is because of a different way of measuring, but the important thing is to compare "i" to "i" and "d" to "d"   The more conservative "d" rating is a bit more realistic, (usually about 3 units lower) and a good maker will be sure to let you know which they are using.

[WRYZ926]

The Comet CA-712EFC is advertised as 9 dBi. If my math is correct, 9 dBi equals 6.85 dBd.  

[PuddlePirate]

Another vote for Comet CA-712EFC. Was using a Tram1477-B. The Comet is much better.

[WRVR303]

I'm running a Laird FG 4605 on my roof.

Fiber Glass 460+ MHz 5bB gain. (colinear design)

[tcp2525]

I tried the comet CA-712EFC and it was a dud! I sadly had to send it back due it being defective. A side-by-side test against the Tram 1486 showed it failed miserably. This was a total let down as I really wanted that antenna to work. I am considering getting another when this batch is replaced with a new production run. I know I'm the only person on Earth that had a bad Comet.

[nokones]

Can't go wrong with the brands used by Public Safety agencies if you want reliability, longevity, performance, and cost-effectiveness over a long period of time.

If you buy cheap, you get cheap. You don't see Public Safety agencies using some of the cheap antennae previously mentioned.

[bshort]

The Hustler G6-450-3 is a stout, long life antenna. 

[tcp2525]

2 hours ago, nokones said:

Can't go wrong with the brands used by Public Safety agencies if you want reliability, longevity, performance, and cost-effectiveness over a long period of time.

If you buy cheap, you get cheap. You don't see Public Safety agencies using some of the cheap antennae previously mentioned.

I have to agree with that. My friend bought the same model Comet a day after I bought mine and his works perfectly. Sample variation sucks worse on cheap consumer goods than it does with the pro stuff. 

[GMRS4TheWin]

5 hours ago, tcp2525 said:

I have to agree with that. My friend bought the same model Comet a day after I bought mine and his works perfectly. Sample variation sucks worse on cheap consumer goods than it does with the pro stuff. 

Got it. This is helpful. But, what is a pro version of this antenna that Public Safety uses?

[tcp2525]

14 minutes ago, GMRS4TheWin said:

Got it. This is helpful. But, what is a pro version of this antenna that Public Safety uses?

Super Stationmaster

https://www.wiscointl.com/celwave/antennas/uhf/pd455/index.htm

[Flameout]

I'm using a Comet 712efc on both my repeater and my base. So far they have been an excellent choice. I actually replaced my Commscope DB404 with the Comet

[WSCF389]

im using KB9 VBR  J pole antennas https://www.jpole-antenna.com  i have 3 of them running two vhf and one gmrs and they are flawless best swr and all 3 paired with lmr400 cable on a 

i had a fiberglass antenna before and it lasted 6 months before lightning took it

[warthog74]

Another vote for the KB9VBR J-Pole. Best $30 i ever spent. Not everything "cheap" is junk. I bet this antenna would easily outperform some $150+ antennas on the market. 

[WRWE456]

I'm using a KB9VBR Slim Jim for my scanner and have two GMRS J-poles waiting in the wings as spares. Have used them with my KG-1000G+ to good effect. Should be very durable.

Using a Yagi at the moment.

[Eustis]

So if you were starting from scratch (like me) putting together a base station all over again, which would it be???

[gortex2]

Laird 4605 and LMR400 from Times Microwave....I'd rather spend the funds now vs speniding money over and over for the same thing. 

 

[WRXB215]

1 hour ago, gortex2 said:

I'd rather spend the funds now vs speniding money over and over for the same thing.

I learned that lesson years ago buying sockets. After my second trip get a new socket, the light went on. 

[WRPQ991]

I use a Nagoya NMO-200c with GPK-01ground plain. on a 45 ft. pole  it does OK

[Sshannon]

On 4/1/2024 at 3:46 AM, tcp2525 said:

I tried the comet CA-712EFC and it was a dud! I sadly had to send it back due it being defective. A side-by-side test against the Tram 1486 showed it failed miserably. This was a total let down as I really wanted that antenna to work. I am considering getting another when this batch is replaced with a new production run. I know I'm the only person on Earth that had a bad Comet.

No, it happens with any company. I bought a Comet SBB-5 that had a high (4.5:1 or so) on one band. Unfortunately I bought it from a private party to save $12 compared to the best retail price I could find. 
I emailed the Comet distributor and they diagnosed that it sounded like a bad capacitor in the base unit. I could have sent it in to be serviced, but instead I bought a new base for $24. It works perfectly. 
I like Comet antennas and if I ever figure out how to disassemble this base unit I’ll fix it. 

[tcp2525]

5 hours ago, Sshannon said:

No, it happens with any company. I bought a Comet SBB-5 that had a high (4.5:1 or so) on one band. Unfortunately I bought it from a private party to save $12 compared to the best retail price I could find. 
I emailed the Comet distributor and they diagnosed that it sounded like a bad capacitor in the base unit. I could have sent it in to be serviced, but instead I bought a new base for $24. It works perfectly. 
I like Comet antennas and if I ever figure out how to disassemble this base unit I’ll fix it. 

Yes, I never had any issues with Comet. I will definitely be purchasing another this fall. Hopefully by then it will come from a different production run. Plus, I prefer tower climbing in the colder weather. 

[CALO50]

On 4/22/2024 at 4:50 AM, gortex2 said:

Laird 4605 and LMR400 from Times Microwave....I'd rather spend the funds now vs speniding money over and over for the same thing. 

 

As the saying goes, "Pay once, cry once".