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Reviews For: Comet GP-6 - Dual Band

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

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Review Summary For : Comet GP-6 - Dual Band
Reviews: 32MSRP: 150
Description:
Dual Band Antenna. 2 meter and 70 cm
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00324.3
UK1 Rating: 2022-12-03
I'm not sure Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had this up and running for almost 2 years and was quite happy with it. I changed the coax recently (not necessary in hindsight) and was very careful not to knock the antenna in the process. Two days later the RX was suddenly down, most noticeably on VHF where it had lost up to 3-4 S-Points. I disassembled the two halves and noticed nothing obvious like a break or water ingress, so I am guessing a capacitor may have blown.

I decided to junk it and replace it with a Diamond X300 PL. So far I'm more impressed with it and have seen an improvement on RX especially on 2M and VHF.
KA2TMU Rating: 2022-04-22
SWR < 1.5 across 2M band Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Easily assembled in an hour using the high quality components provided, this antenna delivered a SWR of less than 1.5 across the 2 meter band as measured on MFJ 259B. Min SWR 1.2:1 at 146 MHz. SWR shown on 991A bar graph across 70 cm shows about 2:1 but I'm certain there is a minor feedline issue. I think it's a super antenna and I'm well pleased with it. I'm grateful for the construction tips posted here.
N4GKS Rating: 2020-05-22
Like Daylight And Dark Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought a Yaesu FTM-400XDR and with my Comet GP-1 could not hit the digital repeater, so no WiresX. I pulled the trigger on a GP-6 and let me say again, daylight and dark. All repeaters that were half scale or not heard at all are now workable. Amazing results. The folks who had trouble putting it together either can't comprehend instructions or didn't read them. I had mine together and up in 45 minutes. I can't recommend this antenna more. This one is only up about 20 feet and still below the roofline, but it works like a champ.
KJ7JQF Rating: 2019-12-10
Excellent Build Quality Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my first review and I am new to amateur radio, however I felt I had to review this antenna. I will update this review as I learn more, but I have to say that the build quality is excellent. I have owned a number of lower cost antennas for amateur and decided that I wanted to go top quality this time. I was not disappointed! The materials are top quality. All of the joints are weather sealed. They even include a "weather guard" for your coaxial connection! My only disappointment for this antenna which would be a very easy fix is that their assembly instructions are not very good. One pointer - if the upper antenna connection is not visible - tap the fiberglass antenna against the ground (put something soft underneath) and it will move down so you can grab it with needle nose pliers. Other than that - it is a snap!
KJ7BRE Rating: 2019-03-28
My go-to antenna! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This antenna is the go to antenna for anyone! Even beginners. I started off with the comet gp-3 that was really small. I mounted it on my vent pipe. Later on, I replaced it with this new antenna. I mounted it on the vent pipe. The gain on the antenna is great and lets you hear lots. This antenna comes in 2 sections that you have to screw together. When thats done, use some tape like flextape or eletrical tape and waterproof it. As a repeater tech, This by far has been the best VHF/UHF antenna! Thanks to everyone at comet for making such a good product.
NA3R Rating: 2018-09-03
Excellent VHF/UHF vertical antenna Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I was using a comet GP-1 prior to purchasing this antenna. The GP-1 is a great antenna. I have had it for quite a few years and I decided to "upgrade" to the GP-6.

The GP-6 is mounted on a vent pipe on my roof. The radials are maybe a foot above the roof line. My elevation here in Delaware is about 190 feet above sea level so it really didn't matter how high above the roof line I placed the antenna.

I am able to hit repeaters 50 or more miles away that I was unable to hit with the GP-1 and have very consistent contacts with stations operating on simplex.

I did not experience the problem that other people are reporting about the "missing element".

The antenna was easy to assemble and I coated it with a thick coat of rustoleum clear acrylic before putting it up on the roof.


This antenna is a solid performer and built to last. SWR is 1.3 to 1 on 146.52 and tuning across the 2 meter band the SWR never exceeds 1.7 to 1. The SWR is also below 1.5 to 1 on 440.


Get one, you won't be sorry!
WS3Y Rating: 2018-04-19
Astounding Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Had to revise my previous review to make certain I’ve included all relevant information.

Like most other HAMs, I’ve been using 2m and 70cm since I first got my ticket.

I was living in Dayton (residency rule) and my wife lived in Cincinnati. In the days prior to wide spread cell phone use, we appreciated 2m, and the Middletown DIAL amateur radio club’s repeater, as it afforded us a way to communicate each night with out incurring long distance phone rates.
The DIAL people were so gracious and and allowed us a generous amount of time to catch up on family news and issues.

After retirement we bought a house west of Cincinnati in a very hilly area with an abundance of trees, houses and buildings.
2m communication now became next to impossible; terrain and trees being the bigger issues.

Suddenly I could no longer hit Cinci repeaters and Middletown and Dayton repeaters we’re out of question.

I could hit a repeater in Indiana, one in Kentucky and one in Ohio.

I tried different radios and antennas, particularly antennas:
Tram Omni - 1-3 repeaters
Jetstream Omni - 1-3 repeaters
Home brew Omni - 1-3 repeaters

Other hams advised me that a directional antenna was the only answer, so I bought a Cushcraft A270 10 element dual bander and,
1 -3, occasionally 4 repeaters, and I could never get it to tune properly across the 2m band.

So after 15 years of frustration, I quit 2m all together.
I was in 2m prison!!!

Then comes 2018 and I decided to look at eham reviews again and came across the Comet GP-6.

Best thing that ever happened to me on 2m!
I was absolutely astounded! Not only could I now hit the DIAL repeater in Middletown (about 35 miles away - over a high hill),
I could hit distant repeaters in Kentucky and Ohio - some as far as 40 miles away!!!

Due to deed restrictions, the antenna is mounted on a fiberglass telescoping pole about about 7 feet above our rear deck which is 16 feet above ground level. The antenna itself is about 10 feet long (“3.07m”); so the top of my antenna is 33 feet AGL.

I tried the mast at 10 feet higher and saw NO increase in performance so I kept it at 7 feet to reduce wind load and mast bending and decrease visibility from the street.
The antenna is white and is nearly invisible against a grey sky, but is really visible against a blue sky.

Not perfect, but it is far better than what I had!
This is without a doubt, better than ANY dual band VHF/UHF antenna I have EVER used, and no tuning is required - low SWR across the 2m band!!! I have not used it on 70 cm.
I am no longer a 2 m prisoner!!!

The only negative comment is the poor quality of the directions and illustrations - which leave much to be desired! But after trial and error I was able to get the two sections mated (the only difficult part) and mount the antenna. It’s best to assemble it on the floor or a long table or work bench.
The set screws that mate the wire connections are extremely small - if you drop one, be prepared for a long search with very good eyes!

If you are in wooded, hilly terrain, blocked by structures and must live within deed restricted rules, this just might be the antenna for you!
KD0ZV Rating: 2017-10-26
Solid performer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This this is much stronger than my previous antennas. I did not have any of the issues mentioned in the review below. Will note that these are two 5/8 waves on 2 meters as Comet does not see to publish this spec.

I did paint mine green and scuffed the shine off it with a scotchbrite to blend in with the trees around my house. This should protect the fiberglass from the environment.
N7AY Rating: 2017-05-07
Great little Antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had my GP-6 2 years now and have moved it to a different location once. It's works nicely. Hasn't ever given me any trouble and has stood up to a couple of wind storms I didn't expect it to. I get great signal reports and it competes nicely with it's bigger brother the GP-9 if you're not in the mood to have 16' of antenna in the air.

Would recommend.

My only complaint, I wish the fiberglass was gray or dark blue. White looks nice but doesn't work well to hid the antenna against the sky.
W9YK Rating: 2016-12-03
tap the carpet Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
glad I read the eHam reviews for this Comet GP-6
Rest assured, tap the antenna which hides the element far from reach - with some tapping, and twirling the center element did drop down (now get to the screws)
Otherwise easy to put together -