PCTEL Maxrad 144-174 MHz Heavy Duty 1/2 Wave No Ground Plane Antenna - Chrome

La altura es perfecto

I was putting up an HF folded dipole (Inverted V) at about 30 ft and I hate to leave the top of a pole empty so I wanted something useful but fairly discreet. Since I live within distance of a major Interstate (I-45), hundreds of miles of hiking trails in the Sam Houston National Forest and the entire Lake Conroe, I thought if I monitor 146.52, someday I might be useful. And since I had an older Kenwood TM-281A in the closet, I might put it to use. So this end fed half wave with no radials sounded like a good idea. Turns out, it was! Absolute pain spending several hours (many) trimming since I prefer to tune something like this on a mast. Putting it up, checking the SWR, bringing it down to trim off about 1/2 inch at a time (because we all know if you trim too much you can't put it back), then 1/4 inch at a time when I got close to 146.5. Finally got it down to 1:1 SWR and 50 Ohms at 146.52! It is wonderful! I've checked it out simplex to about 30 miles and that pretty well covers everywhere I want it to. But I haven't saved any hikers, boaters or motorists yet. Maybe some day.

Make sure you cut the whip according to the included chart. The antenna actually covers more like 132-174 MHz, and likely will not resonate on the higher frequencies (above 140 MHz) out of the box. However, once you cut the whip, the SWR is nice and flat across the band you're more than likely using. I cut mine for 151 MHz and it has less than 2.0:1 SWR from 140 MHz to 165 MHz or so. Since I operate on the 2 meter ham band (SWR on 2 meters - 144-148 MHz is 1.3-1.4) and the 151 MHz VHF land mobile and MURS frequencies (with a Part 90 business radio license) - SWR on the 151.490-151.985 MHz land mobile band (including the MURS 151.820 MHz 151.880 MHz and 151.940 MHz channels) is 1.2 or 1.1...almost perfect. On the 154 MHz MURS channels 154.570 and 154.600 the SWR is 1.5, still very good.The antenna is well-made. This is a professional quality product.

Good Quality we use these on Desert Race Cars