|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
You can
write your own review of the M2 2m9ssb.
|
VK3MH
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 3, 2011 19:39
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Very impressive
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I purchased the 2M9SSB in late 2010 to replace the Cushcraft 13B2 antenna as I was having trouble with working AE and also was not happy with the performance in general.
I started assembling the antenna and thought these elements are going to be a nightmare to install but they went together pretty easily.
After running some tests on the antenna with reference to the 13B2 and five of the local beacons up to 300KM away I can say that this antenna is an exceptional improvement over the 13B2. I also installed the SSB Electronics SP2000 preamp as well and that is great too.
I checked the VSWR on the ground and when the tower is up and it is 1:1. I can now get 700w plus out of my HL500v amp and it does not trip, it always tripped at 510w with the 13B2.
I am very happy with this antenna and would recommend it to someone looking for a small 2m SSB beam on a 14' boom.
73 Brendan VK3MH
|
|
WD4ELG
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 24, 2010 21:48
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Love it
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
For those of you who do not know (I did not know), M2 is the first initials of the owners of the company (husband and wife). The original M (husband) was the 'M' in KLM antennas. So M2 is a company that you can rely upon. Never mind the AWESOME customer service that I have received on every call to M2 (that alone gives it high marks!). Let's talk about the antennas themselves.
Designed for high gain in just over 2 wavelengths, the design is optimized with a single reflector and directors of varying length.
The antennas are designed for tropo, but can be used for EME (which is my goal). When I bought this model, I was looking for rugged and manageable antenna design, with enough gain so I could work the big guns on EME. I did a lot of research before purchase.
Well, I have not been disappointed, and I would do it again! I have two of these antennas, phased for 2 meter EME. Assembly could not be simpler. These antennas are rugged, built to last, and perform well. I have been amazed at what I hear on 2 meters EME with just two of these. My amp is on order, and I will be logging EME QSO's in the very near future. Thanks for a great buying experience.
|
|
N0TTW
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 26, 2009 16:37
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Antenna
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I bought this antenna in '06. I've had excellent results and even got Florida on an Es opening in the summer of '07. Use it during contests and had excellent reports.
This antenna even took a 30' dive off a tower after an ice storm in early '07 when the mast broke (yes it had the mast weight as well). Straighten the elements and it was back up working just as well as before. Very rugged!
Assembly requires patience as the elements don't taper like most Yagis. Took an hour to assemble via the instructions.
It is on a 40' tower with other antennas and works great. I recommend this antenna for it's balance of wind-load, price and gain.
|
|
W4CX
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 14, 2007 20:16
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent, with a few suggestions
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Just completed building this gem, but not operating it yet..will do another review when it's QRV. Construction went smooth, if a little awkward as others have said. You do need to pay attention to the element length distribution because they're not tapered, and some elements differ by only 1/4". This is REAL important 'cause if you accidentally mis-mount an element after installing the keepers, you'll have a dickens of a time fixing it. I didn't need them, but thank you M2 for including spares of the grommets, keepers, and screws.
Three suggestions:
Instead of instructing the builder to "equalize the lengths of each element side of the boom", the manual should state what that actual lenght should be. I know...it's small stuff, but it makes a big difference in ease-of-construction to not have to do trial and error measurements between the two sides.
Second suggestion, if the boom to mast plate will accept both 2 1/2" and 2" U bolts, please INCLUDE the 2" U bolts in the package. The manual suggests they are included, but they were not in mine, and the parts list doesn't show them either.
Third suggestion, as said before, the 'N' connector is a very nice touch, but please DO include a male N connector or adaptor in the package. I didn't catch it in time and now must wait until I can find one and install on a coax cable.
I can't wait to try this out on the CQ VHF contest this weekend.
73, Darrell W4CX
|
|
WB2FKO
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 17, 2007 17:09
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Big punch from a small package
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I've been running a pair of horizontally stacked 2M9SSB's for several years and I am extremely pleased. You can see my setup here:
http://www.sportscliche.com/wb2fko/antenna8.jpg
With this and a brick amp I have one of the biggest 2-m signals in the southwest USA (No, I did not say THE biggest signal!). My emphasis has been meteor scatter and best DX to date is just under 1200 miles. I've also worked a few big guns on EME moonrise. The antennas have survived sleet, snow, and gale-force winds without a complaint. Perfect size for my city lot.
|
|
2E1HKC
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 29, 2007 11:50
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Simply Great
|
Time owned: months
|
I have 2 X 2M9SSB's yag's up at 22 meters for about 1 year now and they work really well. I have had afew different 144mhz yagi up in my time, but M2 have beat them all. for the size of the yagi, it works great.
After a evening of contruction, both antenna's tuned up perfect. I am using a M2 power divider alongside the yagi's. I have just ordered 2 more 2M9SSB's to make a box of 4, so looking forward to seeing the results!
Good Work M2!
|
|
N5BO
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 20, 2006 08:10
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great antenna
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
Great antenna! Excellent for the size and easy to construct. I've made 8 EME QSO's in the last week. Antenna also does well on meteor scatter and tropo.
|
|
KE6MNG
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 14, 2006 19:31
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Good Construction
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
Greetings......This my 4th M2 antenna.....I recently assembled the 2M7 Yagi so assembling the 2M9 was a snap.....It tuned up perfectly first time as usual....I use for portable mobile work so I break the boom down into its 3 sections quite regularly.....I just purchased a couple of no. 8 wing nuts to make it easy......The driven element blocks are good work & solid......Worth the extra dollars........73's..........Joe
|
|
N0YK
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 24, 2006 19:11
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Nice Yagi
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
Purchased last summer for the contest and notice a hugh improvement over my larger cushcraft yagi. The beamwidth is much better and very noticeable. Another good product from M2, survived Kansas winds so far.
Worth the cash. Nice where space is limited.
|
|
K2AXX
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Jun 24, 2005 19:09
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Decent antenna - We'll see about winter, though...
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I bought 6 of these antennas in March (2005) to construct a small EME array. M2 must read these reviews, as the problem of FM vs SSB is solved. Each antenna came with BOTH SETS OF ELEMENTS. So I now have 54 spare aluminum rods for 2M9FMs...
Construction was fine. As with other reviewers, I'm not fond of the swaged joint / tiny front boom. The next natural sized tubing would be a better option for strength and convenience. I've built lots of K1FO, KLM antennas, so this element mounting method is nothing new. I used the aluminum tubing provided for the keeper pushers. (M2 - send 2 push tools for each antenna - it's easier to push with 2). Imagine this multiplied 6x...
Each antenna tuned precisely, only based on the t-match settings in the construction manual. The Balun connectors (Thomas & Betts) and construction are quite interesting. I suspect this should survive for lotsa years, without real problems.
They are not in the air yet. They will be up in a short period of time. I'll pass judgement next Spring, as to their ultimate reliability. I live on a hilltop in Western NY. We average > 120" snow per season, 2 or more ice storms per winter, and some serious winds all the time.
-Mark, K2AXX
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
