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write your own review of the Comet SMA-24 HT antenna.
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KE5JPS
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 12, 2009 14:35
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A Very Good Antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased the BNC verison for my Icom V-8. It definately has an improvement over it's stock antenna. I later purchased a Yaesu VX-7R. I love this set up. See it is 17 inches long and can get in the way, but I have a chest radio harness and with the radio in the pouch and the antenna tucked in the antenna hold down loops it stays high and able to receive much better that on the belt clip. The speaker mic right by the radio and not stretched up from the belt area. The antenna performs very well and I am able hit repeaters that the stock antenna on my VX-7R cannot. The stock antenna is not bad either, but it also leaves me fearing that the SMA connector will break. The SMA to BNC adapter offers more of a stable base where it attaches to the radio and the BNC makes it so much better than unscrewing it everytime. Now just a simple twist. I love this antenna and it meets all my needs.
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K4ARF
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 19, 2009 19:25
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Definite improvement
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have the SMA version for my VX-7R. I definitely notice an improvement on 2m/440 both receive and transmit. I can hit repeaters with this that I normally cant with the rubber duck antenna.
It works best in the 2m/440 bands as advertised. The rubber duck antenna does perform a little better outside those bands, such as when listening to police/rescue. Since I rarely go outside 2m/440, I keep it on almost permanently.
It seems pretty durable, and from the other reviews, I expected it to be so flimsy it would droop, but its not. I like it because you can tuck it in your pocket easier and it will bend and keep its shape just fine. Its only about 4 inches longer then the rubber duck.
I would absolutely recommend it, and i'm glad I made the purchase. I think the $20 was worth it.
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N8EKT
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 5, 2009 11:17
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Decent antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought the BNC version after finding myself on vacation in Tennesee with only the stock duck for my Standard HT.
Picked it up at TEN-TEC in Sevierville for $22
It seemed to work fairly well compared to the stock duck so it served the purpose.
After returning home, I was able to compare it with my 8.5 inch Maldol AS-20 dual bander.
I found that 2 meter and 70cm performance was only slightly better than the much smaller AS-20.
Overall, for it's cumbersome 17 inch length, the Comet 24 didn't impress me much.
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K4PDM
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 27, 2008 04:08
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Performs great!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Works great. Super gain over the stock VX2R antenna. No problems with a year of use.
It is probably a little overpriced for what it is, but so are all Comet/Diamond products.
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KB1PQA
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Rating: 2/5
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Mar 26, 2008 20:01
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Flimsy and useless
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I noticed no improvement with this over the VX-7R's stock duck. It made out-of-band RX almost nonexistent, and didn't improve in-band RX or TX at all.
The physical flexibility was nice, except that it just recently snapped off at the top of the base, after 2-3 months of use. Overall, this thing is a huge waste of money.
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KC2RSP
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 20, 2008 06:27
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Update
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I am raising its grade in this update.
Just finished testing the antenna with a Yaesu VX-3R.
The VX-3R requires a light antenna, or else the entire theme of a ultra portable is wasted.
The VX-3R is not as sensitive as a TH-FA or VX-7R and using this antenna over the stock antenna MORE THEN DOUBLED the db reading on reception!
For example, a 5 came in as over 10. The FM radio stations all came through loud and clear as opposed to the stock which barely worked.
The stock could not hit any repeaters but the local ones (within 20 miles). With the SMA-24 I could hit the ones over 45 miles away (gain is significant enough to make the difference).
The area where this antenna really MAKES A HUGE difference is on low power, as with the VX-3R. I now love my VX-3r and it has become my primary HT. Before I was afraid of carrying my $350 VX-7R, but with my $160 VX-3R, I now take it with me without much worry of lose or damage.
I also bought the Diamond srh815S which is also better then the stock and is a ultra light antenna.
I use my gear for backpacking as a source of entertainment and for emergency. Light weight, quality and ruggedness is a requirement. So far the antenna as taken a lot of abuse and is still in working condition. I imagine it will last a good 3 or 4 years.
This is definately part of my ultra light backpacking gear now along with the VX-3r.
It gave it 4 because I still only use this antenna if I am going to attach it to my backpack with a external mic.
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N3YZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 21, 2007 14:35
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Excellent value
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Used with VX-2R and TH-F6A. Flexible, light, good gain (important to VX-2), relatively inexpensive. In length and performance, is on par with my Diamond SRH320A... Excellent HT antenna.
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KI4PBQ
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Rating: 2/5
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Apr 16, 2007 08:45
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not resonant at 440 barely ar 2m
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I've had two of these antennas. When I received the first one I noticed that my HT got very warm when talking on 440 repeaters. I took it to work and put it on our antenna analyzer and found that it was not resonant in the 440 band (however it does have a nice node in the aircraft band. It's 2m performance was also sub-par. It is resonant in 2m at 150Mhz but shows a SWR of 1:2+ down around 145Mhz.
I called the distributer and they asked me to send it back. They sent me another antenna but it has the same characteristics.
This was the SMA mount version. The BNC version may resonate correctly. YMMV
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KE5GBY
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 28, 2006 21:51
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Pretty Good Antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have used this antenna on my Yaesu VX-5 HT for about 3-4 weeks. It is a little better than the stock antenna. It seems like it could break fairly easy if handled rough but hasn't so far as I have handled it gently. The constant whipping action is also a little annoying. I can hit all of my 2m repeaters within about 30 miles or so. It is a pretty good performer but I guess I was just expecting more.
I just ordered the Diamond SRH77CA and will compare them when I get it in. I have read some pretty good reviews about it as a ham and scanner antenna.
Actually the Diamond was my first choice but no one had it in stock at the time so I ordered the SMA-24.
Overall a pretty good HT antenna but in my opinion must be handled carefully so not to damage it.
-73
-Bill
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KG6UTS
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 27, 2006 11:34
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Good after market antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I just bought a second one for my THG71. The first lasted about 2 years and only failed due to rough physical treatment. I soldered 2mtr and 70cm 'radials' to a solder lug and place the lug under the SMA connector so the antenna has something to operate against. Its been a good antenna on desert hikes and genaral use...a winner all around.
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