2m antenna help

[K6PDU]

I need a cheap inexpensive (>$130) antenna that will last a while. Planning on using at most 70W.  I dont know which one I should get yagi vs j-pole or something else. At this point I am not ready spend my money and attempt to make one. I am planning on using it for portable usage along with using it at my base station. Can anybody recommend any antennas for the 2m range. And also what kind of mast you are using with it. Thanks.

Joshua, kg6pdu  
 

[KE4DRN]

hi Joshua,

Not sure if you will be working FM or SSB on 2 Meters.

Here are a few links

http://www.cebik.com/hs.html
You can build this antenna for about $ 3.00 or less !
it is called the half square.

http://www.cebik.com/mvhf.html
This is the Moxon for 2 Meters, little harder
to build but give nice performance similar to yagi
and takes up less space.

Both have gain over the jpole types and are
direct fed with 50 ohm coax.

73 james

[AE6OX]

If you're looking for an omnidirectional antenna for FM, consider either the Diamond X-50 or the Arrow Antenna OSJ 146/440 (j-pole).  Both are dualband (2m/440) antennas with excellent ratings.  I've mounted the j-pole on a simple wood pole as a mast and it works fine, SWR seems to be flat across entire band.  73 de Bob/AE6OX.