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Reviews For: Comet SMA-24J HT antenna

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

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Review Summary For : Comet SMA-24J HT antenna
Reviews: 58MSRP: 19.95
Description:
flexible whip HT antenna for 2m/440
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.cometantenna.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00584.3
W5LZ Rating: 2012-07-18
It works! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently added this antenna to an HT on the 'off chance' that it would be some improvement over the supplied antenna. It was an improvement. The supplied antenna (rubber duck) isn't terrible, but this thing is better. I have no means of measuring how much better it is other than what my ears tell me and what others have told me after listening to it. There is definitely a difference.
This antenna is something like twice the original antenna's length so expecting an improvement isn't unreasonable at all. And since it is longer, expecting the same 'convenience', 'handiness' of the shorter 'duck' antenna is not exactly reasonable. I have to pay more attention to how I handle the HT, that thing will 'poke'/'thump'/'aggravate' things if I'm not careful. If you tend to 'play' with the thing, bend, spindle, whatever, it will be shaped differently when you're finished. So don't do that, you know? Also added a 'rat's tail' to it, did improve things again. How much? Some, how am I supposed to measure that sort of thingy?
So, all in all, I figure it's a good investment.
- Paul
W4KVW Rating: 2012-07-17
POOR Choice Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the SMA-24J for use on my New Baofeng UV-5R.I was shocked after testing it against the small antenna that came on the HT.The small antenna works MUCH better than the Comet.I am VERY disappointed after paying $22.95 & shipping for the antenna.A HUGE waste of money in my opinion.My FIRST & LAST Comet antenna & a lesson learned!Comet should throw all of the SMA-24J antennas in the trash & start over. {:>(
N3ATS Rating: 2012-06-23
Great on VHF! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am running a Yaesu VX-6 handheld radio. I bought the Comet SMA24 to replace the factory rubber duck antenna.

In order to see if this antenna was an improvement over the factory antenna, I performed a very simple test.

From inside my house, I dialed up the NOAA weather radio frequencies, and compared S-Meter readings between both antennas. The S-Meter on the VX-6 is divided into 11 segments. The following is a list of those frequencies and the S-Meter reading from both the stock antenna, and the SMA24. Like I said this is a simple, and rudimentary test. Your mileage may vary...

STOCK ANTENNA
FREQ, S-UNITS
162.400, 0
162.425, 0
162.450, 0
162.475, 0
162.500, 4
162.525, 0
162.550, 9

SMA24 ANTENNA
FREQ, S-UNITS
162.400, 0
162.425, 1
162.450, 0
162.475, 0
162.500, 9
162.525, 0
162.550, 11

I will be comparing antennas in the UHF band next.

73!
KD0NGX Rating: 2012-06-02
Solid performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used the SMA24 when doing public service events and been very happy with it. I have two Yaesu hand-helds and the SMA24 gets the signal out clear, even when I've been in some places where I didn't know if it would work as well or not (in low spots, among lots of trees, et cetera). I've gotten good reports from net control when using this antenna, and I primarily work on 2 meters when doing the public service work. I would agree with people that it is not as secure at the base as it could be... I am always very careful when I stand up or sit down to not get it bent at the base. Because of that I have two of them in my kit, so that if one breaks I have a spare.
WA7KPK Rating: 2012-02-14
Good antenna with a minor structural flaw Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had two of these and liked them both. They get out well and get me onto the repeaters I want to use.

This antenna, however, has a structural flaw. Like I say I've had two of them, and both developed a permanent bend in the antenna soon after I got them right at the point where the whip enters the housing for the SMA connector. This is probably due to the way I carry the HT, but however it happens, it's a bit irritating. It's also why I've had two of them. Both antennas eventually snapped at that point. I suspect I'll eventually get a third; I just wish there was a way to keep the antenna from bending so badly. (Maybe Comet could make a more flexible whip cover for the lower 2 or 3 inches of the whip proper, at a cost of a couple of extra dollars for the antenna. Just a thought.)
K7TXO Rating: 2011-01-02
Very good and so-so Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
If I were rating this antenna for it's UHF qualities, then I give it a solid 5. This is a comparison to the factory duck antenna included with the KENWOOD TH-D72 HT. But the VHF ability of this antenna is no better than the same factory duck. I have tried it simplex and standard repeater. And linked to my TS-2k via Wireless Remote and Sky Command. It is not bad. There is no audible or visual (s meter) difference between it and the factory duck. Based on the Rating scale that has 3 = Ok, then on VHF mode it is a 3. Combined with the 5 I heartily give it for UHF mode, than means the overall rating comes out to a 4. That is still very good but if your looking for gain improvement over the factory duck on VHF, this is not the antenna to do that. Since I do a fair amount of UHF work, I do use this antenna which I paid $19.95 from via HRO.
KC2VWR Rating: 2010-12-05
My favorite HT antenna Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
After losing my first Comet SMA-24 HT antenna and going back to the duck that came with my FT 60 I've recently replaced it ( after someone at work took a shine to it and nicked it and with snow season coming I'll be happy to have pedestrian repeater access back on 2M & 70cms
RADI0HEAD Rating: 2009-12-29
Duck Killer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My favorite full sized duck. It beats the pants off my Diamond SRH77CA !!! Highly recommended
KE5JPS Rating: 2009-08-12
A Very Good Antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased the BNC verison for my Icom V-8. It definately has an improvement over it's stock antenna. I later purchased a Yaesu VX-7R. I love this set up. See it is 17 inches long and can get in the way, but I have a chest radio harness and with the radio in the pouch and the antenna tucked in the antenna hold down loops it stays high and able to receive much better that on the belt clip. The speaker mic right by the radio and not stretched up from the belt area. The antenna performs very well and I am able hit repeaters that the stock antenna on my VX-7R cannot. The stock antenna is not bad either, but it also leaves me fearing that the SMA connector will break. The SMA to BNC adapter offers more of a stable base where it attaches to the radio and the BNC makes it so much better than unscrewing it everytime. Now just a simple twist. I love this antenna and it meets all my needs.
K4ARF Rating: 2009-07-19
Definite improvement Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have the SMA version for my VX-7R. I definitely notice an improvement on 2m/440 both receive and transmit. I can hit repeaters with this that I normally cant with the rubber duck antenna.

It works best in the 2m/440 bands as advertised. The rubber duck antenna does perform a little better outside those bands, such as when listening to police/rescue. Since I rarely go outside 2m/440, I keep it on almost permanently.

It seems pretty durable, and from the other reviews, I expected it to be so flimsy it would droop, but its not. I like it because you can tuck it in your pocket easier and it will bend and keep its shape just fine. Its only about 4 inches longer then the rubber duck.

I would absolutely recommend it, and i'm glad I made the purchase. I think the $20 was worth it.