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write your own review of the Workman UVS-200.
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KC9NCS
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 15, 2008 08:03
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Great Antenna Especially For The Price
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I've owned this antenna since Feb. 2008 and have had nothing but good results with it. I installed it in the middle of winter using 85' of Belden 9913 coax and a good ground connection with an 8' ground rod.
Base of the antenna is about 40' up and I have to say I'm incredibly impressed with the receive capabilities of the antenna. I was expecting to get alot of 'noise' with high humidity levels but am not experiencing any such thing, probably due to the good ground on both the antenna and 2m base (a Kenwood TS-711A, KLM 160w Amp.)
I also live in a high elevation area in Illinois, and am able to talk incredible distances on just 5-10 watts. Typically I'm capable of talking 30-40 miles on 10 watts max.
SWR's across the band are fairly steady. On 144 they're about 1.2, on 147 about 1.3. The bandwidth of this antenna is very good, it seems to resonate best between 145.250 and 145.750 based on my coax length, ground, etc..
I haven't used it on 440mhz yet as I don't yet have a 440mhz rig but am expecting similar results. My brother in law has the same antenna and uses it on 440mhz with good results.
Overall I'm happy with the purchase and would buy again. This antenna was a bargain compared to the similar Diamond, and I consider it an excellent 'entry' antenna for new hams on 2m.
My only recommendation with this antenna is to make sure the connections are sufficiently weatherproofed, including where the top and bottom sections go together. I've heard other hams that I talk to discuss water getting into their antenna's due to lack of weatherproofing. Assuming liberal usage of coax seal this is a great solution.
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N3EAY
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 18, 2008 01:37
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Has weathered many storms and keeps right on performing
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This antenna is abused and keeps right on performing! It serves as both my VHF antenna and my UHF repeater antenna simultaneously without any problem! Tough, you ask? Well here in coastal south east Georgia normal wind is 15+ MPH, plus monthly there are 2-5 days of "lake winds" (20-35 MPH with 50 MPH gusts) and annually 1 - 2 tropical storms; this antenna has been up at 31 feet to the base for three years now without a flaw. I would highly recommend this antenna or its twin (packaged under the Tram brand) to anyone!
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KF4LYU
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 27, 2008 11:24
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EXCELLENT !!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Have had this Antenna for a short while already,,was a little dissapointed when i connected my analyzer (Rig Expert AA 200) and found that the swrs were high on vhf.
144 mhz...2.0
145 mhz...1.8
146 mhz...1.6
147 mhz...1.3
148 mhz...1.1
so, i took the "guts" out of the top section and soldiered about a 1 1/2 inch piece of wire to the end of the existing wire,,,and that done the trick.
and now,,
144 mhz...1.6
145 mhz...1.4
146 mhz...1.1
147 mhz...1.3
148 mhz...1.4
I actually use 146.520 simplex mostly on this antenna and the Rig Expert SS 200 shows the swr on that frequency at 1.09 and flickers to 1.1 now since the mod, before it was showning about a 1.5 swr on 146.520 ,,so i am very satisfied with the results after i had to make that modification to the antenna.
all in all,,I really like the antenna, it isnt too tall, build quality seems very well for a $45.00 antenna, performance is great,, and I have actually ordered another one of these for my other location.
I'm stil gonna give this antenna a 5 ,, I simply didnt mind doing the modification to the antenna as i love to experiment and try to improve on whatever is already working.
I would recommend this antenna to anyone looking for a cheap priced, great performing antenna.
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VA3JDL
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 17, 2007 13:44
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Excellent Performance
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have had this antenna for 8 months. Its mounted on top of the roof and I'm using 50ft of LMR400 cable. The antenna has survived wind, snow and ice storms. The best part is the performance. I have very good VHF and UHF simplex coverage. Better than expected for its size. SWR is flat close to the center of the bands and does not go above 1.5:1 at the edges.
Great antenna for the price and size.
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W4AIJ
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Rating: 3/5
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Oct 22, 2006 00:40
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Bad UHF Match
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I tried to save some money buying this antenna, found it to be a perfect match on VHF, but only matchs on UHF around 438-442. Needs to match on Repeater UHF inputs around 447-449... So I'm not using this antenna, it's laying in the backyard.
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KC9FSH
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 19, 2006 09:31
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No problems at all!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have owned this antenna for about 7 months now and I must say that this is a great antenna! It has been through a lot here in North East WI. I live in an area of WI were it is almost always windy and the antenna has survived so far and still tunes up perfectly. It even survived me accidently dropping it off the top of the house when I was installing it. Picked it up and it mounted it. Worked perfect!
For the price you can't beat this one. I paid $55 plus $10 shipping and must say that is a great antenna.
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W9JN
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 9, 2005 20:14
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no wx problems, quality is good
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have had this antenna since May 1, 2004 at 50 feet. I had heard from other hams in the area that were using it, that this antenna was as good as the Diamond X-200A. It was about one half the price. Being retired, and $$$ a premium I opted with the Workman UVS-200. It has done everything as specified. The mechanical aspects are good, and the performance is equally good. Central Wisconsin has some strong winds and no adverse effects noted. I did notice the price has gone up this year from the $65.00 I paid with shipping and insurance, to a new total of $75.00. SWR and band coverage is great. I wish they would make a 50-144-440 antenna soon! 73,John W9JN
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KG4ZMC
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 3, 2005 15:35
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Good " Top of the tower antenna"
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I was in need of a good 2-meter vertical antenna, read the reviews on this antenna, for its 10'size and COST, it was going to be hard to beat.
The assy of the antenna was very good as was the conctruction.
The S.W.R where I was going to talk simplex was 1:2.
All the band was under 1:5, but i have NOT tryied the 440 yet, because I do not have a rig for that yet.
Am able to talk & hear in all directions, and get great signal reports. I have it mounted at 50' on the top of my tower, and so far I'm glad I did NOT spend the extra money on a " Name Brand" antenna, this one is working great for my Qth.
For 55.00$ and some shipping, it's a duel band antenna thats well worth the money.
The rest of the money you saved can go for some low-loss coax! KG4ZMC Dale
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N8PEP
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 3, 2004 13:17
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An excellent 2m/440 base station antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned mine for 7 years. There is virtually no deterioration of the fiberglass, and minimal pitting of the chrome-plated hardware. The stainless steel u-bolts still look as a good as when I installed the antenna. The "tilt" problem other reviewers mentioned is easily fixed by putting a 1" slit in the top end of the aluminum sleeve that the antenna sits in, and fastening a hose clamp around the sleeve. Otherwise the antenna is mechanically excellent.
As for performance, I have considerable experience testing a number of dual-band antennas similar to the Workman. These include Diamond, Comet, Cushcraft, and MFJ models. I have not yet found an antenna of comparable length that outperforms this one. Careful field strength measurements employing a reference antenna, and on-the-air reports, have confirmed the excellent performance of this antenna.
Given that the Workman UVS-200 is an excellent performer, and the fact it often costs less than half the price of other brands, it has to be one of the best values in amateur radio.
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W8DP
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 23, 2004 00:50
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Pleased
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I'm pleased with the construction quality, mounting hardware and ease of installation. This little antenna is so small and easy to assemble that it will be a good one to use portable for camping, field day etc. Plenty bang for the buck.
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