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write your own review of the Tram 1481.
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W6IZK
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Rating: 1/5
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Feb 8, 2012 17:26
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Ok on 2m lousy on 440
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Purchased local and looked like a good buy but once I got it up in the air and checking the VSWR with a Vectronics 50-500 MHz directional wattmeter was dismayed at the VSWR curve on the 440 band. Antenna was flat across 2 meters, 1.5 or less but on 440 antenna had 1.5 at 430 MHZ then went up like crazy at any frequency above that. At 444 it was well over 3:1 and at 448 over 5:1. Took it back for a refund and ordered a Diamond X200A, you get what you pay for.
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KD5PNT
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 3, 2011 06:26
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tran 1481
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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had it for 3 years now and has always worked well . never had any water in it . the factory supplied mounting brackets are worthless . the V bolts that came with mine were not threaded far enough back and would not tighten on a standard mast . were not a standard size so could not get replacements at the local hardware store . the mounts went into the scrap metal pile and I replaced them with 3 ubolts that fit tight around the tube at the bottom of the antenna
the antenna gets a 4 and the mounts get a 0 rating .
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KR6G
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 29, 2010 07:47
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Common sense use
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Like any antenna out side, you need to get it ready for weather.I live in the sierra mountains with rain snow wind
I have 7 in use at various sites, a couple up 120 to 150 ft in trees and have been for years.
I have used both vaseline, and rtv to keep the water out, inside I put the vaseline, then seal the joins with clear RTV.
They are not for use on High mountains with wind and snow, with the ice loads.
K7SFN pulled one a part and compared to his diamond and the Tram had one size heaver wire
than the diamond. AT more than half the price.
I have used commerical watt meters with hardline and found the swr from band edge to edge to be 2.1 or less at middle of band, both uhf and vhf, my radios have not cut back on power due to swr and any time, both commerical and ham.
Once again do your homework and help them get ready for the weather, before you put it up.
)
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SCUBA
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Rating: 1/5
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Jan 2, 2010 09:16
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Whacko SWR
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Yeah, I've used it for over a year, and switched back and forth to an Arrow J-Pole. Coax is LMR400, properly tested and sealed.
Tram 1481
Pros: Good db gain.
Cons: 2Meters, best SWR 2:1, worst SWR about 5:1 at both band edges.
440 meters, best SWR 1.5:1, worst SWR, about 10:1 at both edges
Exception, there is one frequency on 440 that it achieves 1.1 to 1
Water: Oh yes. Even with the fibreglass joints properly tightened, when it rains, the 2 Meter band is lost; the SWR goes to about 25:1, probably a dead short, while 440 continues to perform. This means the coax and connectors are not the problem!
Design Defect: The interior rod is held away from the edges by sponges. Sponges get wet and screw up the SWR.
Size: The Tram is BIG! And the neighbors know its there, homeowners association or not. It looks like a big CB antenna.
In Contrast, the Arrow J-Pole has significant advantages over the Tram:
__ Cheaper, lighter, easily made portable.
__ 1.1 to 1 SWR all the way across both bands, all the time.
__ Sturdy, impervious to rain
__ Smaller, less obvious, doesn't look like a CB antenna.
The Tram probably has a db gain advantage over the J-Pole with a 2 to 1 SWR price.
Recommendation: If you love pouring water out of tubes, drying out sponges, mounting, dismounting, and repairing antennas, then the Tram1481 is exactly what you need.
Reason for not giving this a zero star rating - it works all the time on 440, and it works on 2 meters when it's not raining.
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N5XO
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Rating: 3/5
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Jan 1, 2010 14:24
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Tram Issues
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Until recently I would have given the Tram 1481 the highest level review. Our local group numbers 45 members of the Unclub, and we operate 98% simplex, the 1481 was a solid performer and most of our group purchased the 1481 and used them. The performance is outstanding. My only complaint for the past 2 years on this antenna was the 200 watt power limit.
We all purchased the antennas 18 months to 36 months ago, after a 2 year draught we started getting heavy rains again, and then the problems cropped up. SWR's started climbing from 1.2 average among the group, to 3.5, 5.1, and higher. In most of them we found water and a great deal of water at that. Drained them and some began to work properly again, however others have remained at high SWR's.
Calls and e-mails to the manufacture have been 100% ignored which is greatly upsetting.
We have 7 members with high SWR's, as a step we have started drilling weep holes at the botton of the tube, which helps keep water buildup down, but it's not helping the SWRs.
Anyone have suggestions to why the 2 meter SWR's will not recover and why these things fill with water so badly. I have pulled my tram 1481 down here at my main home and replaced it with a G7-144, and may do so with my other one at our ranch and many of our members are pulling the trams down and selling them off, junking them, etc.
This is a GREAT performing antenna other than the SWR and water issues....and lack of response fro the manufacture tells me they know about the problem and choose to ignore it.
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N7ERT
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 25, 2009 16:41
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TRAM 1481 is an OK antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The secret to this antenna is the install, assembly instructions are a little short, but nothing one can figure out in a few minutes.. Nothing in the instruction is the need to seal the antenna joints so they don't take on rain water. My first one had a 1/2 cup of water, drained, cleaned, and sealed good as new...
It is not a Celewave/RFS Superstation Master or a Phelps Dodge top of the line antenna, but it is dual band. It is not a high mountain top antenna, however side mounting can improve your odds.. For a cost less than $100 plus shipping it is a good bang for the buck. Five step install:
1. Assembly
2. Seal
3. Good feedline (low loss)
4. Antenna height
5. Enjoy
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N0RAD
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 4, 2009 12:17
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Excellent Antenna for the Money
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased my first 1481 in 2002. It was installed on a vent pipe on my house for 2 years before I moved it to my tower. It sat atop my tower at almost 60 feet for 5 years. I fed it with 1 5/8" hardline plus LMR 400 jumpers. I was heard 200 miles away simplex on VHF at another base location and regulary communicated with W4CHZ and KC0RKT mobiles at distances of 60 miles VHF simplex. I was even able to get a UHF simplex mobile contact at almost 70 miles which is fairly impressive for FM and only 35 watts drive power into the coax. I have owned the 1480 8 foot version as well and it was equally impressive. I would suggest to wrap the metal connections in between the sections in mastic or good quality electrical tape as I do not trust the water resistance of the adhesive that holds the metal pieces to the fiberglass. I had 2 tram 11 meter vertical antennas that both failed at the joint after water worked its way in between the fiber glass and metal. Other than that I have not had any problems with any Tram vertical antenna ever. SWR is broad and low and receive is excellent as well. I have had some experience with the higher end Diamond antenna equivalent and have not noticed any better performance over the Tram. I also suggest using a clear assembly lube on o-rings and threads before assembly. Makes it very water resistance and lets things move gently in sudden temperature changes. The local price is about $110.00 as of 11-01-09. I highly recommend this antenna with a good quality RG-8 style or better feedline for any amateur station. The results will no doubt surprise you.
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KC9MEN
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 20, 2009 20:13
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Great Antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I hit repeaters 75 miles away...Good tip on tapping end on floor to get wires out to connect...had to use all my strength to lift it on 20 foot mast. I hope I don't ever have to take it down. Great antenna. Great price on Ebay $115.00 delivered. Get one and you won't be dissapointed
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W8DEC
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 13, 2008 07:33
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Nice Antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased the Tram 1481 at Dayton 2005. I've never had a problem with it. I run Belden 9913 with Amphenol 831SP PL-259's. I practically can reach any repeater I want.
A nice antenna with a nice signal.
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