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Reviews For: TRAM 1180

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

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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
N1RIK Rating: 2006-07-26
great antenna! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Great antenna, better gain on 2m than my 5/8 and decent on UHF. It's identical to the Lakeview mobile whip I had, however the Lakeview developed a problem and the center-load bulged. I never sent it into Lakeview, because of the shipping cost to sent it back in forth, I decided to get this antenna which is the same thing, but cost me $16.95 verses the $30.95 cost from Lakeview. The only think that looks different about it is that this antenna has a Tram sticker instead of the Lakeview. They both perform identically and well.
W5GSR Rating: 2006-07-25
Great mobile antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just installed this antenna on the pick-up and the swr was great on both vhf and uhf and that was right out of the box.I can hit repeaters with this one just as good as the other antennas I have used,So I think I will get another one just in case.
KI6CIA Rating: 2006-02-27
JUNK!!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I really hate to leave this negative review. The antenna performs great, until you notice the fact that the center load coil has melted the plastic case that encloses it. I was informed or mis-informed that the antenna is supposed to be rated at 100 watts. I am using it with an Icom IC-V8000, max of 75 watts. While engaging in a short conversation with a local ham who also assisted me in installing the antenna with all the proper experience and metering equipment, I noticed the coil was beginning to take on a somewhat contorted shape. After a quick investigation I found that the coil was melting, and is now permanently disfigured, or unusable. Unless I was mis-informed on the max power rating, I would not recommend this antenna for anything over 50 watts. Otherwise good performance. I just bought that antenna. NEVER AGAIN A TRAM!!!
KD4ZGW Rating: 2005-10-01
Great Antenna! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just recently bought the Tram 1180. I have tried different antennas and none of them can even come close to the performance of the the Tram. I don't know all of the spec's on this antenna, but I was first disappointed (by the looks of it) being a 1/4 wave antenna, however, this is a stout little antenna. I can work my home repeater in areas that I couldn't even hit it. I guess it goes to say, "Big things does come in little packages."

I would recommend the Tram 1180 to any Ham that is looking for performance.

73 de KD4ZGW
DMOORE Rating: 2005-06-16
Very satisfied, so far Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I upgraded to a dual band radio, Kenwood Tm-V708A (LOVE IT!!!), so I needed a new antenna.
I was looking at some other antennas from Hustler, Diamond and Larsen, but kept running into "out of stock issues"... Seems like a bunch of businesses were waiting to stock up at Dayton? I stumbled across the reviews of the Tram on Eham and decided to give it a try. If it lasts and performs like the 2m Hustler that it is replacing, then I'll be very happy indeed.
I was a bit concerned, at first, when I had some difficulty in mating the coil/NMO threads to my Larsen NMO mount, never had that trouble with the Hustler... That being said, now that it is mounted I have had good signal reports, good transmission and reception distances, it tuned up well, etc. The overall quality seems good, especially for the price. Longevity and durability will now be the issues.
KB7QDX Rating: 2005-01-17
Excellent Value Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Truth in advertising: I ordered my antenna and 9 others with the intent to market them. That being said, I mounted the 1180 on a Tram trunk lip mount and checked the SWR for both bands. The 440 side was perfect, 2 meters side was high. To all those who wish to know: To adjust 440 band - lengthen or shorten bottom element. To adjust 2 meter side adjust top element length. Adjust 440 side before 2 meter side. Simple! For the gentleman who had a poor experience with your antenna, never let anyone do what you can do yourself. I'd say the shop that installed your antenna screwed up.
N8IWK Rating: 2004-10-12
good, could be better if Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I could only figure out how to tune this antenna. SWR readings are higher than I would like too see on both bands.
I did not receive any tuning instructions with this antenna. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
I see there are set screws on both ends of the coil and also on the base. Which whip do I adjust for which band, and in which order?
I assume I would adjust the lower whip first on one band, then the upper whip on the other band?
e-mail me at giovanniluce@hotmail.com
WB0BBC Rating: 2003-07-17
Very Favorable Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased this antenna from a local dealer today for $35.00 to improve the performance over a 1/4 wave dual band antenna. Immediately I noted the improvement. I also have a Larsen 5/8 wave dual band antenna of similar size and quality that cost more to purchase new.

I'll need to watch my headroom with the larger antenna, but the quality is immediately apparent. The base threaded smoothly onto the NMO mount and all hardware is tight as delivered.

Look for me on the 444.175 (AC4XQ)repeater when you are in South Florida.
KC5QFE Rating: 2003-02-16
Rugged, economical, broadbanded dual-band antenna! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased this wonderful antenna at a hamfest back in late '95 or early '96 for $20 (new, still in the package). Though I cannot compare this antenna to other similar antennas of various manufacture, (it's the only dual band antenna I have and have used for 7 years or so.) it definitely is an improvement over the 1/4 wave Motorola antenna I first used (the Motorola was a fine antenna, though.). The most amount of power run through this antenna has been 50 watts, so I can't attest to max. power this antenna is capable of.

This antenna has been hit so many times by tree limbs, it's ridiculous, but so far, it has endured. This Tram has proven itself in performance, reliability, and ruggedness! I would not hesitate to recommend this model antenna to anybody wanting an excellent dual band antenna.

Does Tram still manufacture antennas? What is their website?
W6FYI Rating: 2003-02-14
Excellent! Thanks for the eham reviews! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After reading the good reviews on this page, I bought the Tram 1180 from gssec on eBay. What a great deal it is! It was around $26. I have been making QSOs all over to places I could not reach with my previous antenna. People on simplex have reported that I'm rock solid in our area. I used a Diamond trunk lip mount (NMO type) on my 4-door sedan, and the Tram scoots under the garage door wonderfully. If it were on the roof I'd probably get even better performance, but I couldn't park in the garage.

I was looking at other antennas and they were easily in the $60-$70 range. I am very happy with this purchase. Thank you folks here on eHam.

ps: the Diamond trunk mount I am using is the K400CNMO. very nice, though it's not cheap.

Donn W6FYI