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| Reviews Summary for Austin 500C Antenna |
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Reviews: 17
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $35.00
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Description: The 500C Antenna are an adaptation of the popular Metropolitan Mobile Multiband Antenna. The UHF function is handled by the upper whip portion of the antenna. The element is operational as a ground independent 1/2 wave radiator. It is isolated from the feed line by the resonant cavity, which also produces a 50-ohm match. This isolation, combined with the elevation of the feed point, produces a superior radiation pattern that is on the horizon for maximum range and efficiency. The VHF operation is provided by the overall length of the antenna, functioning as a 1/4 wave element while using the vehicle as a ground plane. This patented technique substantially lowers the typically high radiation angle of the 1/4 wave antenna. Relatively short, the antenna will not bend over at highway speeds, distorting the radiation pattern. These two factors combine to provide performance when at speeds exceeding the typical 5/8 wave design. The 500C family of antenna includes single, dual, tri, and quad band versions in many popular frequency splits.
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More info: http://www.austinantenna.net/
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N3QT
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Rating: 5/5
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May 5, 2005 14:34
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Soft Tip Version
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I purchased for a vehicle that would be in parking garage areas a goodly amount of time. The soft tip version is well suited for this environment. If contact is made with overhangs or garage doors, the antenna yeilds to the object.
Performance of the antenna has met my expectations for dual band operation within a large metro area and excursion trips to the outer limits. It is no better or worse than the diamond 770 or Larsen 2/70 NMO. (I drilled the hole for the hole mount NMO.)
N3QT - John
73
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KA3NXN
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 30, 2005 20:37
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Awsome!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had this antenna for over 10 years and it has been on & off different vehicles. The true test was last week when I tried a test to raise a repeater in Prince George, VA. As the crow flies I was located about 80 miles from the repeater. I was using an Icom-207H which runs about 50 watts on 2 meters. Believe it or not I not only raised the repeater, I had a conversation with a friend of mine who lives in the Prince George. I got several other hams that had to get on the air to ask me what the heck I was running. They could not believe me what I told them it was a simple looking 1/4 wave antenna. I don't know what they do with this antenna, but it out performed a 62'' Diamond that was on the top of my wife's car using the same rig. I don't know why these antennas are not more popular with us hams. I am in the process of replacing my big bulky 2m/440 base antenna with an Austin Suburban dualbander. I will report back on how this one works.
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WW4JDO
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 19, 2004 18:24
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Great Dual Bander
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This little antenna talks better than ones twice as tall and it doesn't look bad either. SWR is near perfect across both ham bands. My hats off to the guys at Austin Antenna for a well designed affordable antenna.
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KB1KSO
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 8, 2004 20:09
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Top Notch
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have this antenna truck lip mounted on my car. I couldn't be happier with it. It's smaller low profile is great for stealthy applications. It wideband receive coverage is great as well. We tested side by side with some more expensive anteannas and reports back were the same. In the same parking lot on the fridge of repeater coverage side by side with more expensive antenna's this one performed just as good. I would not hesitate to recommend this antenna to anyone.
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KZ1X
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 13, 2004 17:12
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Been using a 500C since 1988
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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1. Superior field strength tests against antennas costing 2x the price +
2. Superior field strength tests against dual band antennas that are twice the height
3. Superior longevity, demonstrated by my 1988 500C, in continuous use. Machined brass hardware.
4. Design immunity to capacitive detuning (mag mounts, nearby metal)
5. Good in-band return loss and radiation reistance, both bands.
6. Low price, American-made, standard NMO base.
WHY, oh why, do people buy $80 Diamonds and Comets and who-knows-what else, when a REAL antenna is here for the taking?
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KD5CFM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 13, 2004 16:53
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Great antenna for extreme parking garage use
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Austin makes two versions of this antenna, one of which is similar to a rubber duck antenna. Since I have to park in a parking garage at work, (I wish I could park outside!) I bought one of these to put on the top of my truck. (Full size Chevy) The antenna hits a concrete beam every 6 - 8 feet, and I park on the sixth level. That means I get to hear ting-ting-ting about a hundred times twice a day. A normal antenna would never survive this. The Austin 500c has endured this for 4 months. After about 2 weeks, the rubber cap came off the tip of the antenna. After about 4 months, the rubber covering on the antenna has split about an inch. I finally decided to "re-cover" the antenna using a foot long piece of 3/8 heat shrink tubing.($2.39 for 3 feet) The heatshrink tubing makes the antenna look new again, and actually makes the antenna stand up straighter than ever. For extreme parking garage use I don't think you will find anything better.
Another thing I did was I put some dynamat on the roof of my truck which changed the ting-ting-ting to a thump-thump-thump.
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K1ROD
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 23, 2002 14:27
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Excellent Antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is one of the (if not the) best dual band antennas I have ever owned. It performs like a full length 5/8 wave on both 2 meters and 440. It is very well built. I bought this on a recommendation from a friend who has had one for years and been very happy with it. I am very happy with it too. For $35, I don't think you can go wrong.
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