Topic: VHF/HAM antenna recommendations

[helipilot77]

Any recommendations for a dual band VHF/ham antenna? I am thinking about mounting it on a roof rack, so I will pbobably get a folding mount for it. I saw the Diamond Antenna NR770HB Dualband VHF/UHF Mobile Antenna on expedition exchange. Anyone have any experience with this? 

[TACOMA382]

wow i'm surprised that it takes so long for people to respond to ham radio thread in a 4x4 fourm site when radio communication and wheeling go hand in hand. i have use a diamond antenna before they are great antennas i can't remeber the model number but it was one with the fold over built into it and that nice when you get into bushy areas they have great gain but they ain't no whip they are very soild so if you hit a tree and it is not folded over you may bend the antenna well buy now you have already bought a antenna, next you need to get hf rig and hf antenna mounted you'll be set .........just my 2 cents........ KJ6HUP

[n6dlh]

I use a comet sr wide band dual band antenna. Not sure of the part number, but it is their search and rescue mobile antenna. Im usung a comet nmo mount on the tail gate. It is a fold over design, very high gain and very wide banded. I will find a link for it, but having run many dual band antenna, this one seems to be the best dual bander i have used. I want to say they are around 60.00 or so. It has been smacked by many low branches and holding up well.

[n6dlh]

Comet CA-2x4srnmo is the part number. http://www.cometantenna.com/products.php?CatID=1&famID=4&childID=4

I am sure the OP has probably worked out his antenna woes, but if anyone else is looking for an antenna this is a good one. Here in Virginia during the summer VHF and UHF suffers due to extremely dense foliage, this thing even being mounted in a position is a compromise. Most of the guys in Cali will have even better coverage in the valley.

73
Dave
N6DLH

[helipilot77 [OP]]

I ended up getting the Diamond NR770HB. It is the one that folds over like you mentioned tacoma382. I also purchased a tube clamp style mount for it. I still need to order the coax for it. I wanted to get the mount since it is NMO and I don't want to drill a giant hole in my roof. Thanks. I will be using this for search and rescue work.