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Reviews For: DIAMOND X-50 2m/440 ANTENNA

Category: Antennas: VHF/UHF+ Omnidirectional: verticals, mobile, etc

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Review Summary For : DIAMOND X-50 2m/440 ANTENNA
Reviews: 122MSRP: 99.99
Description:
Gain: 2m:4.5dB 70cm:7.2dB
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.rfparts.com/diamond/x50.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
131224.6
AB0RE Rating: 2003-07-05
Don't buy this antenna... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Don't buy this antenna if...
1) ...you enjoy spending great deals of time tuning up your newly-installed antenna. The X50 comes pretuned to a very reasonable SWR. I don't think mine was above 1.2 or 1.3:1 on the voice portions of the band. So, no tuning required.
2) ...you are the type who enjoys worrying about things such as wind or water damage to your antenna. The X50's one-piece shell is rock solid and has withstood *very* strong winds. The enclosed coax attachment point ensures you will never have water penetration problems.
3) ...you are the type of guy who likes to perform "yearly maintenance" on your antenna or if you are the type of guy who likes to get a new VHF / UHF antenna every year. With the X50, you won't need to worry about routine maintenance or periodic replacement.
4) ...you enjoy getting hassled by your neighbors about an "ugly antenna". The X50 looks sharp! It's not too big, but gets the job done.

I previously owned the regular X50A, and made the mistake of selling it for "something better". I currently own the X50NA (N-connector) version and could not be happier.

For a modest-gained, RELIABLE 2M/440 antenna, there is no better choice than the X50A. There are antennas that boast more gain, but none that parallel the construction quality and reliability of the X50.

73,
Dan / ab0re
K9XK Rating: 2003-07-04
Great Choice Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I guess I could downgrade this antenna because I believe that it should be "commercial grade" and I am disappointed that this $100 antenna is not a $1000 antenna, but I won't. Speaking of idiots, I sold an old jalopy to a guy for $295 and he was shocked and appalled that after he bought it, he had to do some brake work. He thought it was a $50,000 car. I had to give him $100 back to make him go away and harass someone else. Oh well, it takes all kinds. It's like the guy that blasts the '756 Pro II because it does not cover a band that was not even authorized when the rig came out!

We have some nut-cases among our ranks, folks!

Anyway, this antenna is built like a brick sh*thouse and will take whatever punishment a reasonable person could expect. There is not a more sturdily-built dual band vertical in existence. Period. E-mail me with your nomination if you seriously believe you have found one. As for "wind" resistance, the antenna itself can probably withstand a friggin' tornado. I have no idea why a sane person would think the antenna itself could possibly fall apart.
K5LOR Rating: 2003-05-20
Great VHF/UHF Vertical Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is my first high-end 2m/70cm vertical, and I may never have to purchase a second. I have my antenna mounted on the side of my chimney about 20ft. up. I am running LMR-400UF coax into a Yaesu FT-897 (love this radio). I also have a MFJ antenna tuner in the shack.

Cons:
1)The antenna is big. It is much larger in diameter than I had pictured (about 1" diameter), so it is not very stealthy.
2)It is a little pricy. I paid $100.

Pros:
1)The antenna is seriously sturdy.
2)It is requires little to no tuning.
3)I can reach clear across town in San Antonio with no problem.
4)The mounting system is easy to use and lends it self to chimney or wall mounting.
5)The gain is great for a shorter antenna (5.6ft.) with (4.5/7.2dB).
6)Good TX and RX. I have little to compare the quality to, but I cannot imagine needing anything else.

If you are like me and need a good all around FM antenna for repeater and simplex use on 2m and 70cm, I highly recommend trying a Diamond X50 out. I think you will not look any further.

73 K5LOR
W4MCQ Rating: 2003-05-18
Excellent Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I needed something short & functional. This antenna fit the bill just right. Top notch construction & very good performance. Whenever you combine 2 bands into 1 antenna you usually sacrifice performance: Not with this antenna. Works like a champ !! I highly recommend this antenna.
G6CNF Rating: 2003-05-18
reconmended Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned a x50 for 9 years now, it has been up there all this time with NOT one problem.\
It is without any doubt a superb antenna, I live close to the north sea here in the uk and this antenna has taken a real battering from the Wx but is still 100%
I am very pleased with its performance, brilliant
WM5L Rating: 2002-05-11
Excellent antenna! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought mine 12 years ago(1990) when they first came out. Its is still up and works fine. I would most certianly buy another one without question!
K9KJM Rating: 2002-05-05
A Disappointment Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Diamond's ad copy and pictures make this look like a miniature "commercial grade" antenna. It is not. Even though very "light" fiberglass as compared to a heavy duty commercial antenna, This little short antenna does stand up to high wind very well. The tip is NOT DC grounded for lightning protection as commercial antennas are, another disappointment for me. Should be OK side mounted for a "secondary" antenna. Then again, It does not cost the $1,000+ of a commercial grade antenna...... A fair value for 100 bucks.
KB9VXJ Rating: 2002-05-05
Good small space vhf/uhf Omni Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this antenna to be side mounted on my tower to supplement my ARX 270
Cushcraft on my 2nd dual band radio. Wanted a short antenna, [ tower is 45 feet ] with
decent performance. I think it is well built, and performs better than I expected. Will it
stand the test of time ? We'll see, but my first impression is that it does an excellent
job for what I want it to do, and I would highly recomend it for a lower gain well built
smaller space antenna.KB9VXJ

OZ7FP Rating: 2002-02-02
Works very well Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have just bought mine,and replaced my homebrew dipole anetnna.And i must say I´m amased over its performance on VHF,i hear things i have not heard before.On UHF it seems not to woork that well.But i can be because off the mounting near my apartment,it sits only 1 meter,from my window.And can not place in other ways.
The thing is you really get a very well working omni antenna.So buy one.
73 Flemming
W0LPQ Rating: 2002-01-26
Sturdy, well built antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Amazing. The way it was packed in the re-useable bag, extruded antenna clamps, stainless steel hardware, wow/!! Nice, easy assembly. Solid as a rock. Built like a tank....well almost!!

Great job guys..keep it up. Performance, not one complaint. Beats my 5/8 wave 2 meter antenna.

73

Bill, W0LPQ