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| Reviews Summary for Comet M24-M Dual Band Mag Mount Mobile Antenna |
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Reviews: 5
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Average rating: 3.8/5
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MSRP: $39.95
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Description: Black anodized 2m/70cm antenna, 19.5" tall, comes with 13 feet of RG-58/U coax and a gold-plated PL-259 connector. 1.7dB gain 3/8 wave for 2m, 4.1dB gain 1/4 and 5/8 wave for 70cm. Max power 80 watts, 1.5:1 or less VSWR.
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More info: http://www.cometantenna.com
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write your own review of the Comet M24-M Dual Band Mag Mount Mobile Antenna.
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KG6UTS
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 7, 2007 13:43
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Good for my use
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased the M24 at HRO in Woodbridge VA for use as a traveling antenna on rental cars. Before I used the ultra light dual band antennas with 50 cent piece sized rare earth mag bases and RG-174. Those work very well but suffered due physically light construction. The M24 is heavier so should last longer and still fits in my carry-on duffle. The travel radio is a Kenwood TH-G71A HT run off a cigarette lighter supply. The antenna is not my SBB5-NMO but it is great for the needed function
KG6UTS
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POOBA53
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Rating: 2/5
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Aug 22, 2005 18:08
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High SWR
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased one of these from Universal Radio and planned on using it with my VX-5RS HT while traveling. I was getting some rather weak signal reports and then used an MFJ antenna analyser to assess the SWR. It was higher than 2:1 on both bands. I then attached a Comet SBB5 and had less than 1.2:1 across both bands. The antenna appears to be physically too long. No way to adjust length either. Universal was very gracious about the return. I will purchase an SBB5 w/mag mount adapter.
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K4PDM
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 29, 2004 10:06
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Great for what it is!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I went from driving a "bucket of bolts" with a Hamstick on each side and a tri-magnet-mounted 5 foot long dual-band antenna on the roof, to this! When I got my new vehicle, I decided to give up HF mobile for a while with its noise and big antennas, and go low-profile mobile. This antenna is certainly low profile--in the middle of my Tracker roof you don't even notice it if you are not looking for it. As for performance, since I am using it higher and with a better ground plane than the long antenna, I can't really see any difference. The hilly terrain is a factor here, too. It won't break on tree limbs as some of my antennas have, either. Numbers aside, in practical use, a couple of dB is hard to detect--especially as the size of this one allows it to go higher and get a better ground plane. Although it probably should be about $10 cheaper, it is doing a great job for me.
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WL7BDO
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Rating: 3/5
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Feb 2, 2004 21:05
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Good antenna..but
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Purchased so my wife could use on my in-laws car when see drives them the 60 miles to the doctors. Just using one of our 6 watt hand-helds to hit the linked repeaters on the way. Transmit and receive have not been a problem. A fine antenna.
Problem was a few weeks after putting the antenna on the car noticed that the antenna was coming free of the mag base. The nut inside was not secured tightly when made. Had to damage the nice mag-mount underside to gain access to tighten the hardware. My first Comet and I guess I was expecting good quality. Or more like good quality control.
Carl
WL7BDO
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KG6PHX
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 11, 2003 22:46
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Decent performance, decent price
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Just bought this antenna today as I was looking for a mag mount that wasn't too long and portable. Before buying this antenna I was using a Yaesu VX-7R HT with a Comet SMA-24 handheld gain antenna with fair results in the Los Angeles basin, but nothing you use inside the car will compare to an antenna mounted on the outside. So now I have the M24-M connected to the VX-7R with a PL-259 to SMA cable. The mag mount base it comes with attaches to the roof of my car securely, and isn't too big. I was able to drive 80+ mph on the freeway without any problems.
Receive capability: not bad. The M24-M performs pretty well as a general coverage antenna. I was able to receive AM airband, NOAA weather, 460MHz police band, and 1.25m amateur band in addition to 2m and 70m repeaters with no problems. Repeaters that used to come in at around 5 to 7 on the signal strength meter with the SMA-24 in the car now go to 8 or 9.
Transmit capability: By reports I'm now able to hit repeaters up to 20-30 miles away with a little less power, i.e. 1 watt instead of 2.5, or 2.5 instead of 5.
Overall I like this antenna for its size, portability, and price. It doesn't match up to a Comet SBB-5 or SBB-7, but then again it costs comparably less and is much shorter. It does the job for what I need it for.
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