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Reviews For: COMPACTenna 2M/440

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

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Review Summary For : COMPACTenna 2M/440
Reviews: 4MSRP: 89.95
Description:
COMPACTenna 2M/440 dual band mobile antenna
Product is in production
More Info: http://https://compactenna.com/#2M440DB
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0044.8
NM0D Rating: 2022-04-27
Tremendous Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The COMPACTenna is a tremendous example of engineering innovation. By definition, antennas are a compromise of performance, size, and cost. Dr. Jack Nilsson has mastered the science and art of trade-off. The diminutive 7.5" antenna has credible SWR and performance which matches or exceeds any other mobile unit I have used, because of its unique radiation design. This is not a typical end-fed loaded or center fed dipole.

I have now purchased five of the antennas, 3 for VHF/UHF and 2 for HF. Why? nothing compares to the performance vs size. The design is quite similar to a home-brew HF using coiled screens which I have built.

On a vehicle, the discrete size and color does not attract the attention of a traditional vehicle antenna farm. Perhaps the premier reason is the vehicle can be moved in and out of a garage without concern. The form factor and weight allow the antenna to mount simply and dependably even at turnpike speeds. With my discrete Icom IC-2730 head mounted in dash, the set-up is as non-assuming as one could make it. But it works like the champ that it is.

A near-disastrous event is noteworthy. One of the antennas is mounted on the edge of a tool box on my 4WD off-road pickup. Before permanent mounting, move it around for best SWR. I though disaster struck one-day. While going through a car-wash, we heard a crunch and ominous cracking of polymer ABS plastic. Looking out the rear window, we saw the truck bed-cover had blown up and over the antenna. Oh, well, we could not move the vehicle, and we could not get out in the torrent of the car wash, so we assumed that is the end of the story. After pulling out of the wash and removing the cover, there was my poor COMPACTenna leaning at a precarious angle. The ABS plastic was cracked at the base from one of the screw-holes and that was the extent of the disaster. Pushing the antenna back to near vertical, it still performed. Since the plastic was broken, it was no longer water-proof but still worked. It may not be bullet-proof Kevlar, but it is one tough little antenna.

Obviously, I highly regard the antenna, the design, and the designer. A number of amateur-extra colleagues now are using the antenna both as mobiles and as a base with the optional counterpoise. (What HOA?)

Amateur Extra, PhD, Life Fellow IEEE
N8PMG Rating: 2020-08-24
An attention getter Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I got mine at the last Hamvention (2019) after talking with the inventor. New ideas and gadgets attract my attention, and my new SUV was too high for my present antenna, so it was a no brainer. The SWR checked out below 1.5, and on air range was better than the dual band conventional antenna had been from my Yaesu FT90R at 20 watts. Even non hams ask me what that black thing on the roof of the car is for. It really does work and the low profile is great on an suv.
N4EWF Rating: 2019-08-06
Solves the parking garage problem Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Very good little antenna, which I have on a magmount on the hood of my Jeep. Jeeps with soft tops can be a challenge when it comes to mounting; this one solves the problem and works as well as the 5/8 wave antenna I was using. No more getting out of the Jeep when entering a parking garage. Got this one at HRO; highly recommended.
KF6ITQ Rating: 2019-03-03
Great little antenna, with descent performance Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I really like the small for factor of this antenna on my mobile. I have it mated up to a FTM-400XDR and can hit repeaters and simplex all day long. Took awhile for HRO to get one in stock, but it was worth the wait time to get a short antenna.