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You can
write your own review of the Comet SMA-24 HT antenna.
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N4SJW
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Rating: 1/5
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Sep 23, 2005 15:18
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A dummy load
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Not sure why I'm having inferior results to several others posting here but on my FT-60 and F6A, the stock antennas are superior in side by side tests of local weak signal repeaters. This thing is so thin is just whips around. Don't see any reason to use this aftermarket antenna.
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W8VKD
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 22, 2005 19:49
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2 thumbs up!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently purchased a VX2-R and found the stock antenna to be totally useless for receiving outside of ham band use. After reading reviews here and other places I bought this antenna. I have no regrets, it is a solid performer and made a BIG, BIG difference in reception (and transmitting)on my VX2-R. The price is right too. I paid $23.00 for mine from COMDAC. Try it..you'll like it.
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AE6QG
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 22, 2005 18:04
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Good antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Just got this antenna as a replacement for the stock duck on my VX-150. Works good. Although I don't notice too much difference in receive between it and the rubber duck on a distant (S1-3 reception strength) repeater, it does exceed the duck on transmit. I've even used it for uplink on FM satellites (while using an Arrow II for downlink) so I can hear my own voice better on the downlink and avoid desensing on the Arrow.
Like others, I've used some heat-shrink tubing to dampen the motion of the antenna. Used just three pieces of 6" long tubing from Radio Shack, it did the trick.
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WB9YCJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 11, 2005 18:25
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Can be used as a weapon
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I agree with all the previous. Its a great radiator with excellent capture area. Could be used to ward off attacks (from cats and some small dogs).
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KD7VEM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 24, 2005 15:34
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A Very Whippy Whip
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I really like this antenna for a lot of reasons. 2-3 S-units better than the stock antenna (the same as the similarly-lengthed Diamond 77), light, and you really can tie a knot in the antenna without harm (though don't pull it tight!).
I've used one for two years before I broke it at the base (where three I've seen have broken; all were replaced by another SMA24).
A caveat/warning: you can injure people with this whip. The antenna is a spring-metal wire coated with a thin rubber membrane that doesn't dampen the motion at all. Once you get it oscillating it takes a while to stop. So be careful setting your radio down--the whip can topple your HT as it swings back and forth. The Diamond 77, which I gave a 4, doesn't spring back and forth, but it's a lot heavier.
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KC9CWB
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 26, 2005 08:46
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Good HT Antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I switched to the SMA 24 from the stock duckie on my Radio Shack HTX-420 HT. Reception is a lot better and this is important for easily receiving the weather radio broadcasts. I can now talk on the local repeater with confidence while inside my home. The flexibility factor does not bother my transmit and receive, but both of my cats are fascinated with the antenna movement and I have to be careful not to let them bite it and cause damage. There are a lot of HT antennas to select from and I am glad that I chose the SMA 24.
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KD5NCX
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 9, 2005 11:15
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Excellent antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Over the past couple of years I've used this antenna on both a Yaesu VX-150 and a Kenwood TH-G71. It has provided a significant performance improvement on both HTs. I would estimate that my effective range has been increased on the Kenwood by a minimum of 50%. That's no mean feat since it's stock antenna is pretty good. Considering its excellent performance and low price, it's a great buy.
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KC2NSZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 18, 2005 22:54
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Great antenna!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought a Yaesu FT-60r and the stock "ducky" antenna wasn't doing very well. I stopped by a local radio shop and the saleman recommended the SMA-HT from Comet.
Ever since, I have been talking to everyone and coming through "full quieting" as the books call it.
I highly recommend this antenna, it is durable, bendable and stows away but retains it's shape.
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N1KSN
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 10, 2005 06:44
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Really worth it
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had this antenna for a year now, but it saw limited use. I originally purchased it for use with my Icom IC-Q7A due to that radio's small size. It worked quite well.
Recently I got a 2m (only) Yaesu/Vertex VX-150 and tried the SMA-24 on it. Now the stock duck on the VX-150 is better than average for a duck (although no stock duck I've used is a good as that which comes with the Kenwood TH-G71A), but the SMA-24 does give better reception.
Based on a previous review, I tried putting some 3M shrink tubing on the SMA-24 to stiffen it up. Unfortunately, that brand of tubing is very flexible and all it did was make the antenna droop a bit more under its additional weight. In trying to remove the shrink tubing I also ended up removing whatever Comet used to cover the antenna's wire radiator, leaving me with a bare wire and the plastic tip.
I was worried that I had ruined it, but it works just fine. I may even like it a bit more "naked." I added a small length of yellow shrink tubing to the tip for better visibility ("You'll put your eye out, kid!").
I really think one should have such an antenna, either the SMA-24 or the competing Diamond product. It gives a better signal and you can use lower TX power. Add a "tiger tail" and your signal will be even stronger.
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