Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes
Reviews Home

Reviews For: TRAM 1180

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

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : TRAM 1180
Reviews: 35MSRP: 22
Description:
A Dual Band Center Loaded NMO Mobile Antenna for 144/440 Mhz
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mapleleafcom.com/tram.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00354.2
N8MRC Rating: 2022-04-26
Use one on my car for the last 20 years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Great antenna for what it is, short enough so I can still fit in my garage when mounted on the trunk. Just need to take it off and clean it once in a while...
WB9VKM Rating: 2021-07-18
Have 3 now Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have 3, two on the roof of the car and one on a mag mount on my window A/C unit. The gain on vhf may be down a bit for what I am used to (Hustler GC144) by not by much- IT ROCKS on uhf. Went thru a severe hail storm with hail larger then golf ball. Knocked the nmo out of the roof and had to replace the mount but the antenna works great and swr still below 1,5'
W9RDL Rating: 2020-01-14
Better than you think Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Based on the reveiws here I replaced a Diamond NR770HNMO with a Tram (Browning) Model 1180. I found my on eBAy for $21.95 shipped to the door. I checked the SWR and out of the box it was 1:2 at 5 watts. Both antennas received good signal reports.

However, the 1180 beat the Diamond hands down for distance. While sitting in the McDonalds parking lot in Red Bluff CA using 50 watts (ft-8800) I was able to make a contact through the repeater on the Sutter Buttes near Sutter CA. (approx 90 miles)the signal report came back 80% quieting. I traveled 10 miles toward the Buttes and reduced power to 20 watts and recieved signal reports of full quieting.

Many hams scoff at this cheap antenna, but few know that this antenna holds a Transmit Distance record set by N5PAX, 715 miles. Do not trust my word, google it and see for yourself.

WO7T Rating: 2017-11-27
Makes nice Base too !!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Couple this dual bander to a TRAM 1465 radial/base mount kit for $25 more, and you have a very capable antenna for the home QTH. I was suprised how well it still matched (SWR no higher than 1.6) on any frequency 20 feet off the ground.
KK6NOH Rating: 2017-11-26
Whole new respect Time Owned: more than 12 months.
When I had originally bought this antenna I had bought it knowing it was a cheap antenna. I just needed something to get me going quickly and get on the air. I am sure that the performance of an antenna is subjective so I am not going to discuss that other than to say I am happy with it. I do want to discuss just how tough this antenna is. I figured this thing would be a cheapo that would break after a couple years but boy oh boy was I in for a shock. For you see, I was in a pretty bad car accident a while ago. I won't go into the details of how it happened but I rolled my car down an embankment going 65 miles an hour. I was driving a very heavy solid steel 80's k5 blazer. over 5000 pounds of SUV rolled right over that antenna. It pretty much hit the antenna directly and crushed the mount like a cheap beer can and the NMO got ripped from the sheet metal. Believe it or not the antenna itself came right through it more or less unscathed. It got bent a little but is 100% still functional. So yeah new car, new NMO, and new mount with same old antenna and I am back on the air.
N4ZDX Rating: 2016-02-18
Impressed! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I usually use a Comet 2x4NMO mobile with a Kenwood TM-V71A. The swr is around 1.3 or better on vhf and pretty much the same on uhf. I ordered the Tram 1180 just to just to test my antenna against a cheaper one. To my surprise, the Tram was almost flat on vhf and 1.3 or better on uhf out of the box. In swapping out the antennas I can say the Tram is 1 to 2 s-units better on vhf receive. Pretty close to the Comet on uhf. I knew the Comet was not the best you can get but never thought it would be bested by a 21.95 antenna. I'm impressed.
AD1ET Rating: 2015-07-26
Great Performance - Great Looks Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought this antenna with chrome trim and the matching chrome trimmed NMO base at the Williams AZ hamfest. Hooked to a Yaesu 7900r. VSWR on VHF is 1.2:1 or less and on UHF 1.3:1 or less right out of the box. Great signal reports on low power and no trouble hitting repeaters in my area, all more than 25 miles away. Looks great as well and appears very well made. Exposure will tell. Have had several other dual band mag mounts but this one is a substantial item - very nicely made in my view.
K4IED Rating: 2014-03-13
Decent Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Almost gave it a 3 but for the price I suppose it is a decent antenna. If you are looking for a mag mount mobile for an HT I would definitely go with the Opek VUM-201 (see other review). With that being said, if you plan to hook to a mobile (or even an HT plus amp) then you need something a lil heavier and this antenna will do the job and handle 50 watts just fine. I would probably only get the tram 1180 tho if budget didn't allow for much else. Otherwise I think I would prob spend a few extra bucks and go with the Larsen NMO 2/70.
N2XPM Rating: 2013-08-21
Very Surprised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After owning a number of antenna's from Larsen, Comet, Cushcraft, Austin, Maxrad, Laird, Diamond, Comtelco and alike, I could have SAVED a lot of money with just purchasing this antenna. What I like is the fact that the VSWR was 1.2:1 on both VHF@147mhz and @445mhz. Full forward power on 2M's at almost 50watts and at .70cm's 32watts. Many of the above antennas were tested on multiple vehicles and didn't deliver the results that this TRAM antenna did. The Antenna was purchased at http://www.palmettoantennas.com/ with shipping around $30.00. This antenna is mounted to my NMO roof mount on the center of the roof with excellent results....Highly recommend! 73...thanks Mario W2NGT for the suggestion!
AB8UG Rating: 2013-05-24
Fell apart in my hand Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
It worked good for the first six months. Then I noticed a fall off in received signal. Attached my antenna analyzer and got a 5 to 1 swr. When I unscrewed the antenna from the mount the button and spring came out in my hand and the retaining ring was split into four pieces. This was supposed to be the new improved version. I think that the company could use a better quality control process.