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Reviews For: Arrow OSJ Model J146/440

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

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Review Summary For : Arrow OSJ Model J146/440
Reviews: 168MSRP: 39.95
Description:
Dual-band aluminum j-pole
Wtih better quality SO239 - 3/8-24 Connector. Better Threads and a more precise hole size for the PL259 connection. As of 4-10-05 All OSJ's will have the new connector.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.arrowantennas.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001684.6
NY0K Rating: 2007-07-03
My Second OSJ Antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is the third Arrow Antenna product I've purchased. Someone liked my OSJ so much, they stole it! I sure wish Al would make a triband yagi!

First off, the customer service is excellent. I had a problem with the PayPal links on the website, so I emailed -- and got a reply within minutes. I went back, and they magically worked. I must have needed some of Al's aura to get the links to work :)

I ordered the GP52 and the OSJ146/440 j-pole. As far as pricing goes, the cost is very low, especially considering the quality of workmanship and materials used. Ten bucks for shipping for both antennas, a bargain when you look at the shipping container -- a sturdy long cardboard box with a strong inner cardboard tube inserted into the box, commercially stapled and then sealed with tape. Half the cost of shipping must be in the container, and it pretty much guarantees the antennas will show up at your door in pristine condition.

The OSJ uses solid aluminum components coupled with stainless steel hardware. The machining is excellent, and each piece is de-burred so there are no sharp edges or metal splinters. It goes together easily; most folks can assemble it in ten minutes. The instructions are easy to follow, and the antenna has excellent bandwidth and SWR characteristics. When you set yours up, don't skimp on the cable, and keep this away from other metal objects. If you follow basic antenna rules, you'll be pleased with the results.

Don't be fooled by the very reasonable price ($39); you get an exceptional antenna for your money. If Cushcraft made these, they'd be hollow instead of solid, and the price would be at least twice as much.

I'd highly suggest you pick one up before Al comes to his senses and doubles the prices. Even if he did, these would still be a bargain.
K4QXX Rating: 2007-06-10
Good bang for the buck Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This antenna replaced a Diamond fiberglass antenna that got hit by lightning. The arrow antenna is VERY well made and works as well or better as the diamond for almost a third of the price. The antenna was packaged very well. Would definately buy another one.

K4QXX
KI4VMV Rating: 2007-05-08
We saw it, and it was good... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a really good antenna. My husband and I are neither one handy people. But the J146/440 assembled in under ten minutes flat. This antenna was recommended to me by George, one of the nice folks at AES in Orlando, good customer service from those guys.

I bolted it to a gutted halogen torch lamp that we stripped off everything but the weighted base and three-segment aluminum pole. The included mast-clamp works like it was designed for this application, and when I want to hit the local 442.875 repeater that's about 35-40 miles from the abode, I'm in like Flynn every time. And it's only five feet off the ground! It puts up and takes down in less than two minutes, and stores easily. It's like a W3FF "Buddipole" for 2m/440!

Ciao, T.J. KI4VMV
KC9KRF Rating: 2007-01-25
Simple and it Works! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Very good construction. Simple to assemble and mount...I just installed one in the attic. Good performance.
AI4IT Rating: 2007-01-19
Simple with A Signal Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Great SIMPLE antenna design which is built well. Have had 3 of this guy's ARROW antennas b/c he knows how to build what works. Nothing fancy, but functional and with great results given the years they WILL last.

NN4P

KC2QBK Rating: 2006-12-13
Super value & performance Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased the ARROW 144/440 J-pole antenna a few months ago. Assembled in 10 minutes and was on-the-air.
Great value - great performance.

Exchanged a few emails with Arrow after shooting off a complaint by email about their 70cm corner reflector. Mistake was mine - Class was all theirs. This is the type of company i want to deal with. Already have a few other Arrow products marked for purchase - can't wait.

ed/KC2QBK
KC8HXO Rating: 2006-11-28
SUPER!!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I just thought I better weigh in on this one, as it has been on my tower, untouched for 8 years, and is working as well as the day I stuck it up there. I like the simple, but efficient idea. Like another said: Keep It Simple Stupid. Works for me.
K5MTF Rating: 2006-11-15
Excellent antenna - just ordered my 3rd! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been very pleased with this antenna and as of yesterday own three of them. I use one for 2m/70cm on my base station, carry one (with the long element with the threaded tap in the middle) in my Buddipole bag, and will be mounting the third shortly.
N7GCO Rating: 2006-11-14
Very well built Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is one of the best built and packaged pieces of ham gear I have ever purchased. I am really impressed with the workmanship!
WA4SCA Rating: 2006-10-17
Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My experience has been as others. Great performance, and nearly indestructable. One unique problem I had was rf getting into a home brew piece of equipment in the shack when I operated on 70 cm. After checking all the usual things, I fixed the problem by adding a couple of aluminum tubing radials which easily bolted to the base bracket. That provided the needed decoupling. As it was my own home brew equipment, and the antenna is at the end of the coax with no conducting structure to bolt to, I can't gig it for that. It surely does perform!