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| Reviews Summary for Pryme Radio Products AL-800 Telescoping HT Antenna |
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Reviews: 16
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Average rating: 4.8/5
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MSRP: $34.95
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Description: Telescoping 2M/440 High Gain HT Antenna... 3.2 dB gain 2M / 5.6 dB gain 440 MHz. 50 Ohm impedance and BNC connector.
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More info: http://www.pryme.com
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write your own review of the Pryme Radio Products AL-800 Telescoping HT Antenna.
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K6RSG
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 25, 2005 20:39
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Have had mine over 10 years!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had mine for 10-12 years. The original silver gray backed and clear vinyl packaging sleeve reads: "ANLI Antenna" model AL-800, and specifys 220MHz!
I've taken this antenna on trips intended for use when reaching distant stations or repeaters was going to be an issue. The antenna has spent most of its life in the compact original vinyl sleeve tucked into a backpack, fannypack, pocket, etc., but when needed the exceptional gain on 2m, 440, and 220 have really come through!
In the remote back country, hiking, biking, skiing, and more, it has proven indispensable. It can take 50 Watts of power, and the included rat tail makes the base coil usable w/o the telescoping whip, although I've rarely used it in that configuration.
I've not had problems with the unit and for the reasonable low price I highly recommend it for the GO Bag.
With SMA radios such as my Kenwood TH-F6A HTs the antenna's BNC is converted to SMA with the exceptional one-of-a-kind BGA-80 adapater available only from:
STEPHEN G. GULYAS
706 LALOR ST.
TRENTON, N.J. 08610
His adapter was previewed in the Nov. 2000 Issue of QST magazine and the May 2000 Issue of CQ Magazine. More information about the unique design of the adapter can be seen at:
http://www.wa3hrl.com/smabnc/index.html
There is nothing which matches the quality of Stephen's BNC to SMA adapter, and it's unique ability to deal with the forces exerted by longer antennas.
As for comparison antennas, I use the stock Kenwood TH-F6A rubber duck; Maldol MH-610; Pryme RD-98; Diamond SRH320A, and Diamond RH77CA. My primary mobile antenna is the Diamond SG7500 Mobile Antenna and I have used the compartively short Comet SB2 Mobile Antenna. All the above have been used with the HTs.
In summary, the telescoping AL-800 performs more comparably to a full size mobile antenna than any of the above HT antennas.
Very 73
Rob
AK9G
(Previously K6RSG)
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KB3GJP
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 25, 2005 13:01
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Great Preformance
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I give it a 4 because it does what it is supposed to do. I can tell a big diffrence over a rubber duck. I can hit repeaters with it that I can not hear with a rubber duck. Just two complains.One this is my 5th AL-800. Each one find somehow to break. Also ever one I have had, the black coating rumbs off in your hand.
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KG6THI
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 2, 2004 18:55
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Its a good antenna, but not for the rugged user.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is an awesome antenna. I use it to hit distant stations and repeaters. The only problem I have with it is that it isn't that sturdy. After a year or so fo use, two telescopic elements came out and I lost the metal contacts on a hike. I've got it jury rigged with tin foil now. This is a great antenna for the average user, but I think it broke to easily. I am planning to purchase another.
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KG4RUL
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 25, 2003 17:45
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A Keeper!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have done on-the-air comparison tests by switching the AL-800 with the stock antenna while on simplex contacts. In all cases, the signal quality was improved with the AL-800. Not scientific, but IMHO, it does work! It is NOT an antenna to be used in a crowd, however.
Dennis - KG4RUL
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KD5KJD
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 25, 2003 11:58
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GREAT HT Antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Hello Friends,
By now you're probably tired of reading my reviews of so many products. But guess what? My reviews, good or bad, mean you don't waste your money on a piece of junk. The AL-800 is not junk! It is a fantastic antenna for any BNC equipped HT. I use my AL-800 for a few things: Bike rides, parades, back-up antenna to hit that distant repeater.... you get the idea. I've used the other Pryme antennas with great success and have NO complaints. I hear there is a ham working the FM satellites with this antenna.... Go figure. I may just have to follow suit and see what else this antenna can do.
Beware! This antenna is long and heavy. Care should be excercised when using this antenna as it is rather long and its weight can, in the wrong hands, put a bit of stress on your HT's BNC Connector!
Look around for the best prices and you'll not regret it.
73!
Luis KD5KJD
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KB1JEC
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 23, 2003 23:14
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Excellent Antenna!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Tried supplied rubber duck antenna on my HT... had noise getting into the local repeater about 4-miles away. Put on the AL-800 antenna.. telescoped it out all the way, and full quieting! I don't even need to stand near the window to access the repeater(s) if im in the house, works fine through walls! Had a QSO with someone using a repeater about 50 miles away while sitting at the computer with 2-walls blocking the direction of the repeater! Forget the rat-tail section, im keeping the high-gain antenna on it for good! Excellent antenna and I highly recommend it.
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