[net.ham-radio] 2m Base Antennas

mo@seismo.CSS.GOV (Mike O'Dell) (01/28/86)

Ok folks, time for another great survey.  I am interested in comments
and recommendations for 2 meter base antennas, both omni-verticals
and beams, but my real interest is the verticals.  Which one do you
use, how does it get out, which ones have you used and hated??

Here is your big chance to help someone buy the "right" antenna.

	-Mike O'Dell

parnass@ihu1h.UUCP (Bob Parnass, AJ9S) (01/29/86)

> ... 2 meter base antennas ........  Which one do you
> use, how does it get out, which ones have you used and hated??


     I have two	types of 2 meter vertically polarized, omni-
     directional antennas:

       1.  Cushcraft  AR-2:  the  original  Ringo  (not	 the
	   Ranger).   This  antenna  works better than a 1/4
	   wave	ground plane, but not  by  much.   The	real
	   advantage  is  its small size and its transporta-
	   bility.  I've used Ringos on	towers,	on  porches,
	   in  attics,	and  in	 dorm  rooms.	If  I recall
	   correctly, the coax	connector  needs  a  healthy
	   amount  of  weatherproofing,	as its center pin is
	   exposed.

       2.  Hustler G6-144: originally advertised by Newtron-
	   ics	as  the	 "Master  Gainer", and discounted to
	   $69.	 Built very, very well - more like a commer-
	   cial	 grade	antenna.  Spray	it with	Krylon (tm),
	   and this antenna outlast  its  owner.   Stainless
	   steel  hardware.   I	 don't	remember  any  self-
	   tapping  sheet  metal  screws  (ala	 Cushcraft),
	   rather  high	 quality  hose clamps.	Thick, solid
	   radials and machined	aluminum base.	 Performance
	   much	better than the	Ringo, but 10' tall.

-- 
===============================================================================
Bob Parnass,  Bell Telephone Laboratories - ihnp4!ihu1h!parnass - (312)979-5414