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You can
write your own review of the Diamond D-130J discone.
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KE4SKY
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 7, 2005 06:09
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Good bang for the Buck
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have two of these, one is a D130J with SO-239 connector and the other is an older D130N with N connector. The older N version has been up ten years. It is at my home QTH and used as a general purpose antenna for scanning, testing rigs, etc. I mostly use it for monitoring mulitple repeaters on 2m, 220, and 70 cm bands.
The J version I have has been up 8 years. When new the threads on the SO-239 were not the correct SAE thread, but there only a close metric approximation, so that the shield on the connector only engaged about 2-1/2 turns. I disassembled the antenna, took the feedpoint connector to a friend's shop and chased the threads on a lathe to establish the proper thread specs, and reassembled. After doing this, the shield sleeve on mil-spec Amphenol connectors engaged positively and smoothly all the way down. VSWR improved on all bands and signals came up about a half S-unit.
This antenna was installed on the roof of my hunting cabin in West Virginia, which is on the back side of North Mountain, on a bench about 1.2 mile out and 600 ft. below the crest of the ridge. The discone's "fat" radiation pattern works better in this terrain than a higher gain antenna in getting out of the valley and over the mountain. I work 2m repeaters all over and am very satisfied with it.
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KA7TTI
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 7, 2005 01:42
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It'll last.....
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is the best Discone for monitoring. Mine is at least 15 years old and it looks and works like brand new. So if you want a receive only antenna that'll last then this is the one to get.
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W7RJR
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 25, 2003 16:32
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Excellent
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This antenna is the best in it's class for general UHF/VHF monitoring. I use it with my Uniden BC780xlt scanner and I am exceptionally pleased with its performance. It went together easily, is solidly constructed and I am convinced it will last a lifetime.
As a BONUS, it happens to work quite well as a transmitting antenna; albeit with zero gain. Mine works just fine on 6 meters for hitting repeaters in the local area. You won't be disappointed with this product!
W7RJR
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K3UG
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 25, 2003 15:56
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Best of it's type, by far..
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Hands down the antenna of choice, for general purpose monitoring.
If you want to transmit on 6M, put up a 6M antenna.
This antenna is an excellent companion for a serious VHF-UHF monitor receiver.
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W2NSF
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 25, 2003 14:06
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Swiss Army Knife
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I've read other reviews complaining the antenna won't load up on 6m, among other things. OK, that's not it's best asset, but I wouldn't buy this antenna to use exclusively on 6m, as one person suggested. It's a great antenna for receiving, first of all. It works wonderfully throughout its advertised range. I have no personal experiences transmitting on 6m, but I can give it high marks for its transmitting performance on both 2m and 440. What gives this antenna high marks in my book is the way its made -- the design is rugged and the choice of materials (lots of stainless steel) is excellent. It's a Swiss Army Knife of a VHF/UHF antenna.
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WB6JLL
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Rating: 2/5
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Dec 25, 2003 01:07
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Fair at best
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I bought this antenna to use on 6M as well as UHF. Its UHF performance is fair at best and its 6M FM (52 MHz) performance is poor. My radio will not load into the antenna on 6M and there is no way to tune it. In the metropolitan Los Angeles area, it hears the local UHF repeaters acceptably but really fails to match a simple 1/4 wave dipole. I certainly would not buy it again and plan to sell it shortly.
I have used it, incidentally, as a monitoring antenna and it performs acceptably. But the manufacturer's claim that it can be loaded on 6M is over blown !
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VK2LCD
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 16, 2003 20:55
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JUST BEAUTIFUL
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Diamond quality at its best. I use it for 2m, air-band and general scanning. Quality all s/s build, elegant appearance. Has withstood severe storms, still looks new after 2 years up. A great design feature is that the connector is protected inside the main support tube when the antenna is assembled. Highly recommended.
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NOLICENSE
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 26, 2003 14:36
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Bullet Proof Discone
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I rate this antenna a 5/5 rating for construction and overall quality. Mine has been up for 1.5 years without a single problem. We live on one of the highest points in the county. During thunderstorms the winds become very strong. This antenna has withstood everything thrown at it and is still going strong. I use a Icom R7000 with it and continue to be very satisfied with the antennas overall performance. I have had 2 other cheaper discone antennas destroyed by storms, no problems with the Diamond.
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KB0ETC
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 2, 2003 00:07
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Excellent Performace
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Best built discone I have seen and very reasonably priced! I have one I currently switch between my dual band Kenwood, and my Yaesu VR-5000 receiver.
This antenna is easy to assemble, very durable and reliable!
Plans include buying another just for the VR-5000 and monitoring.
Marginal performer on 6 meters, SWR is better than advertised and wide band coverage all in one antenna.
Good Job Diamond/RF Parts!
This is why all my mobile antennas are Diamond!
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KC5QFE
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 27, 2002 16:04
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Great all around antenna!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I love this antenna! I have one put put up at my mother's house when I go to visit. Excellent SWRs on the 6meter, 2meter, and 70cm band. Very easy to put together, and does not take up much space. I have owned this antenna for at least four years, and has never failed me.
Of course, the discone has zero gain, but where else can you find an antenna that covers all bands from 50Mhz to 1300Mhz continuously for less than $100? It sure beats having individual antennas for 50, 144, 220, 440, 900, and 1300. Of course it (obviously) makes a super scanner antenna. You will love this antenna.
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