Browning BR-6146

[LeoG]

Anyone use this antenna?  5dBd gain.  Thinking about replacing my antenna because of water issues in my coax.  Want something with an N fitting, current antenna has a SO239.

[gortex2]

I had one on my fathers house. It worked ok but was only on the side of the house. I normally run the Laird antenna as I think they are better built but its twice the price for a comperable antenna. 

[LeoG]

1 hour ago, gortex2 said:

I had one on my fathers house. It worked ok but was only on the side of the house. I normally run the Laird antenna as I think they are better built but its twice the price for a comperable antenna. 

Not really worried about the price from an $80 to $140 antenna.  You only buy it once (as I'm buying my second).  But there are limits.  No need for a $1400 or $2300 antenna.

Thought I heard on the forum someone had a bird hit their Laird antenna and it splintered into pcs.  Right now I'm running some chynese generic antenna with a 7.2dBi gain (5dBd) and most of them look the same.  The Browning doesn't have a ground plane, nor does it have a sleeve that covers the antenna connector.  Both which give me apprehension.

[gortex2]

I run the Laird on many public safety applications and have never had an antenna break. I dont believe the antenna you mentioned was a laird antenna. The FG series is a rock solid LMR antenna and is used on towers as well as control stations. I have the FG4605 on my base. I also use the FG4500 on a ton of locations. The FG4603 is a great control station antenna. 2 of my repeaters use the FG4607 on towers in the northeast and are almost 8 years old with no issues with snow, wind and ice. I did not want those but tower loading eliminated the DB408 I had planned so had to use those. I used the FG4500 on my motorhome repeater for multiple years as well and a few times forgot to pull it off the ladder and dragged tree branches thru it and it never broke off. 

They run between $100 and $300. I agree a $1500 antenna is not needed at a house or low level repeater. The 4603 is a $200 antenna max.

https://theantennafarm.com/shop-by-categories/antennas-mounts/base-antennas/gmrs-base-antennas/gmrs-omni-directional-base-antennas/8028-laird-connectivity-fg4603-detail

 

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, LeoG said:

Thought I heard on the forum someone had a bird hit their Laird antenna and it splintered into pcs.  Right now I'm running some chynese generic antenna with a 7.2dBi gain (5dBd) and most of them look the same.  The Browning doesn't have a ground plane, nor does it have a sleeve that covers the antenna connector.  Both which give me apprehension.

His was a Hustler antenna that was struck by a bird.  Here’s the thread: 

 

[LeoG]

Well I knew a bird struck an antenna.  Thought it was a Laird, at least Laird was in the title.