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Reviews For: Comet GP-3 Dual Band Base Antenna

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

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Review Summary For : Comet GP-3 Dual Band Base Antenna
Reviews: 51MSRP: 89 (street)
Description:
Dual band (146 - 446 mhz) base station antenna. Fiberglass construction. Max power 200w. Length 5'11". Weight 2lbs 12 oz. SO-239 connector.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.cometantenna.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00514.9
Rating: 2008-01-30
A great dual band antenna, I Will never sell it. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After seeing neighbors lose TV antenna's due to the frequent high winds at my QTH, (60+ mph winds are common near the Cajon pass, Ca) I tried a copper J-pole, but didn't like the match, I researched and read the other reviews here on eHam.net and decided on the comet GP-3.

I can only echo the other reports that the assembly is quick and easy.

The results were better than I expected, I can get into repeaters as far away as Las vegas (200 miles) of course it helps that I live in the high desert (elev. 4500) and on a clear day I can see mountain tops approx. 60-80 miles away across the desert to the north and east.
When I first installed the GP-3 on a 30 ft pushup at the side of my house, using RG-8X a Icom IC-8000, I thought the SWR meter was broken, the match was so flat, but I always check the SWR at the high, middle and low end of what ever band I'm setting up for, and there was just enough deflection of the reflected pointer to indicate a 1.2:1 at 147.990, at 146.100, the pointer didn't even move, at 144.100 it moved just enough to know it was working.

I just bought a Yaesu FT-897 and now have 440 to play around with, the internal SWR meter of this radio indicates about the same results on 430-440 Mhz. I guess the next step is to try the GP-15 to access the 6m band, but I really don't want to take down the GP-3.

Final remark, If you have space or weather restrictions, I highly recommend this antenna
.
WN4P Rating: 2007-12-26
Unbelievable! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This antenna replaced another "aged" 2/440 omni made by a great company, which shall go nameless. I just thought I was getting good coverage before. Now, there is no doubt. Can't say enough for how simple it was to put together and erect. I get into repeaters now that I couldn't before and it has outstanding receive. SWR readings for me have been great with zero adjustment. I highly recommend this antenna to all hams and especially to those who like or need "small."
VK3BEB Rating: 2007-01-27
Australians be aware Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
As others have stated, this is a great dual band antenna...HOWEVER...

I purchased the antenna (with new premium feed line) new from a major supplier here in Ballarat and was told there was no tuning required. This is quite true if you operate in the ranges of 144 Mhz to 146 Mhz and 430 Mhz to 440 Mhz. When operating on these frequencies there are no issues with the antenna.

The particular antenna I bought appears to be tuned for the Japanese VHF band. This seems to be somewhat like the situation with the Diamond F-23 that was sold by Dick Smith some years ago (and corrected by the introduction of the F-23A). While the SWR is quite acceptable on the above mentioned UHF segment, it rises to 1.9:1 at 147.900Mhz. While this doesn't present problems for some radios, others may fold back their power when presented with this SWR.

The SWR drops to 1.7:1 at 147.000 Mhz , 1.5:1 at 146.500 Mhz, 1.3:1 at 146.000 Mhz and 1.15:1 at 145.500 Mhz. It is flat below 145.000 Mhz. These readings are made using a new Diamond SX-400 metre driven by an Icom 208H at 50 watts. The readings are affected by the power setting of the radio and drop when using lower power settings ie. at 5 watts output on 147.900 Mhz the SWR drops to 1.5:1. The SWR on the 430 to 440 portion of the Australian UHF band is near nil and flat for all power settings.

While I suppose this might be considered a bit nit picky on my part, I just present this info for the information to hams in this part of the world. It doesn't appear that the antenna is tunable nor am I sure this is even desirable, but it is something to be aware of. This antenna performs well and is possibly set up this way to accomodate the UHF band tuning. While the SWR chart in the attached parerwork clearly and accurately shows the frequency range of this antenna, there are no changes to the model number on the external packaging that would indicate any alternative tuning for this antenna.
N5MDM Rating: 2007-01-19
Works good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Installed 30ft up, swr is good 144 to 148mhz. 440 swr is also good. Easy to assemble, quality of parts are fine also. I'm running a Yaesu FT-7800, hits repeaters 30 miles away on 5 watts output.
I've had it up 1 yr, no issues. NICE. N5MDM
NORTHCOUNTRY Rating: 2006-09-12
works good and is very mild looking from the street Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just installed the comet GP-3 and am having pretty good luck with it. Its about 30' up and I can talk into a strong repeater at 55 miles. My intention was to be able to hit some strong repeaters that are in the 10 to 20 mile range and of course it works just fine for that.

Swr was measured at 1.1 to 1.3.

I didn't think it was necessary to have a large antenna for my purposes so I went with the GP-3 it is very small looking from the curbside of my small residential lot.

The antenna goes together in about 15 minutes and appears to be very well made. I replaced an old ringo ranger the new comet is very clean looking. The antenna does about the same as the ringo ranger but is better design because the coax connection is protected from rain and the fiberglass is resistant to corrosion.

I would recommend this antenna for anyone that wants a general purpose 2m or 440 antenna. By the way I bought the antenna from HRO as an open box (10%) off their price of $99 I paid $90.
KB3MNK Rating: 2006-08-15
Great antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have it mounted on a 5 foot mast attached to my chimney, in the center of my roof. Tip of the antenna is about 25 - 30 feet above ground level. Reception is very good, I am able to hear repeaters at least 60 miles away. Tx reports I've received from closer repeaters indicate my signal is getting out well.

The GP-3 is well made and easy to put together. It seems sturdy.
KQ6EA Rating: 2006-07-19
Sweet! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just put one of these up to replace an ancient Antenna Specialists ASP-2011. It's nice and light, low-profile, and I had it assembled and installed in less than 30 minutes. It receives a bit better than my crusty old ASP-2011 on 2M, and now I have 70cm, too.
Great Value!
KC2NUQ Rating: 2005-05-16
Easy Up, Great Signal Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is one easy antenna to put up. The design is excellent with assembly and mounting taking only a few minutes.

I get excellent signal reports and can hear distant repeaters.

I'm extremely happy with it.
W2FDH Rating: 2005-03-28
Flawless!!! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is a GREAT antenna PERIOD! High quality construction, GREAT performer! Unlike the Cushcraft AR-2 which isn't much more than a dummy load. Would highly recomend this antenna.

73 de Frank
KB2VYZ
VE3NSV Rating: 2005-02-06
Awesome antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned this antenna for 10 years and it has given me excellent results. I use this antenna for everything from 2M SSB contacts to scanning with my BC796D and it has been great. I live in a rental house and just have it attached to the vent pipe on the roof via 4" dryer clamps and it has moved in 3 years. Would recommend to anybody who needs a low profile antenna.