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Reviews For: Comet CA-2x4SR

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

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Review Summary For : Comet CA-2x4SR
Reviews: 50MSRP: 69.00
Description:
CA-2x4SR VHF/UHF Dual Band Antenna 1.5:1 or less SWR: 140-160/435-465MHz Gain: 3.8/6.2dBi Max Power: 150 watts Length: 40 inches Connector: PL-259 Fold-over hinge included
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.cometantenna.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
12504.8
W9DPY Rating: 2015-11-01
Very Good Ham, Great General Coverage Antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had this antenna just over a year. I run all NMO mount variants of Comet, Diamond and Larsen antennas for mobile applications. Used to use a Diamond K400CNMO mount but bought a Comet CP-5NMO with this antenna. Construction is great, no flaking of the paint or breakage anywhere including the fold-over. This is in central Texas where the weather is challenging to say the least. Performance wise, it's a very good 2 M/440 antenna and a great general coverage antenna. This is compared to a Diamond SG7500NMO I own. The Diamond performed better on the ham bands but is no where near as broad banded as the Comet. As an FYI; the Comet performs better in both roles as my Larsen 270 and my Diamond NR770HNMO. If you are looking at ham band only performance, there are slightly better performing antennas but the Comet really shines on it's ability to cover both ham bands and as an Rx antenna for scanning, public service work, etc...
KC4YLV Rating: 2015-11-01
A nice dual bander, great for scanners too Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Picked this up for $3 at a hamfest, guy said "coil's broken". Outer housing was cracked; 2-part epoxy made short work of that. Had to resolder the tap where the capacitor connects to the coil in the base as it'd gone bad. After I did this and shined up all the connections, giving great performance as expected. SWR doesnt really bottom out anywhere but it has ridiculously wide 1.5 and 2.0 SWR bandwidth, just megahertz after megahertz of nice 1.3:1 match.

I run mine fixed, with a homebrew mount and four radials angled down about 60 degrees (had to bend them down a bit more than normal for best match). Splendid thing to hang one of the swiss army knife dual banders off of, or if you want to scan 460 public service. Not too shabby at 800 rx either, though I don't have real test gear beyond scanners for up there.

Considering it was probably 10-15 years old when I paid THREE DOLLARS for it and spent 20 minutes fixing it up, very impressed. Would strongly consider buying a new one if I needed to.
W5BXY Rating: 2015-08-10
The best I've found! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought this antenna to replace a Larsen NMO150c (2 meter) which I have had mounted on my pickup tool box for a year. I constantly had problems with the Larsen mount shorting at the coax input point after repeated repairs to it. I installed the Comet CA-2x4SR (Dual band) and absolutely love it. No problems, the coax input is sealed and fits perfectly, SWR readings across the band good right out of the box,well made and excellent receive and transmit functions. I intend to buy another for my car. I give it a 5 in all areas.
N7EWC Rating: 2015-01-06
Great mobile addition! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The radio is only as good as the antenna system connected to it...I have had my comet 2x4 for 3 years now and have put several thousand miles on it! Norfolk to Georgia almost every month. The finish is just like when I bought it at the Winterfest in Richmond. Two winters in Norfolk and one in North Eastern Georgia, definately an tough antenna. Ive even wacked it coming in the garage too early several times, still works like a champ... Ive never see what the radiation pattern on this is but I can imagine it to be flat on top and long all around. Ive never had any luck picking up fly by SATs but can break through to repeaters 40 miles away and receive them even further. If for some reason if I had to buy another one id buy the same exact one.
W5DGM Rating: 2014-06-05
Excellent Performer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased one at Dayton. Installed on my vehicle and all I can say is WOW! With my HT, I can get into most of my local (10-40 miles) area repeaters full quieting with 5 watts or less. More distant (40+ miles) repeaters are reached easily with more power from the mobile unit. Great bandwidth and low vswr as advertised. The spring option is a must for tree limbs. I will be buying more of these antennas.
KE5CVT Rating: 2014-05-28
GOOD! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Just bought my third 2X4SR. 1:1 SWR in the ham bands and <1.2:1 in the adjacent VHF/UHF Land mobile bands. Excellent performer. If you need an antenna for occasional emergency operation outside the ham bands for S&R, Public Safety, etc, THIS is THE antenna! Without a spring or other strain relief, it WILL NOT endure a solid hit from a tree limb or other such object. The ONLY con is the durability at the base of the antenna otherwise I would give it a 5/5.
W4FSA Rating: 2014-05-27
Spring Mod Time Owned: more than 12 months.
At the Orlando Hamcation I was suprised to see the Spring Modification now avilable from Comet for the 2x4SR. MN# CA-SPR. I bought 2 and have installed both, one on the F-150 with goliath mag mount, the other in the go kit. Makes a big difference when SAR in low foliage areas. No noticable effect on tuning and still talks and receives with the best. Makes one fine antenna even better.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by W4FSA on 2012-08-06

I have used 2x4SR's for over a decade and have never been dissapointed. The ability to tune amateur 2m & 70cm as well as GMRS, FRM, CAP, Public Service etc is a huge advantage and an ARES favorite. Using the Goliath MFJ magmount on my truck insures that the antenna takes the full brunt of low hanging vegetation and still works faithfully when called upon. I installed RF ground straps between bed, cab, frame to radio. There is a significant increase in performance with this addition.
W5LZ Rating: 2014-05-27
Good! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is my second post about this antenna. The first one was 3 years ago when I had owned/used it for 2 or 3 years. It's still working, still does as well as it ever did, and I haven't managed to break the thing yet (that's a recommendation all by it's self!).
I've used several other types/brands of antennas in that 6 year period and have always come back to the CA-2x4SR. It's used almost daily on bands other than 2m and 70cm, does well there too.
The 'Cons'... It is not suited to everyone's use. It can cause problems if you 'hit' things, it isn't very 'limber'. They don't give the thing away for free, rats! It isn't made in 'designer' colors. Remember to tighten the set-screws occasionally, at least check them.
The 'Pros'... It does what is claimed for it considering the number of ways it can be mounted and used.
- Paul

(I don't give anything a 'max' rating. This thing comes close though.)
AE8MM Rating: 2014-05-27
Just great. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Wide banded so good for most of the commercial band as well as the ham band. Sub 2.0 SWR from 140-165ish, haven't tested in UHF band however.

Now for the oddest benefit, no wind noise. My previous mobile dual-band antenna would make a whistle at highway speed, this one is silent.
KD8SFE Rating: 2014-04-29
Beefy antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I like this for a number of reasons. When compared to my Larsen NMO150 this thing wins Rx & Tx. I've smacked trees and garage doors and said "oh no!" but she's doing just fine on her side. Good out of band coverage for monitoring. It's 10" shorter than the Larsen. Sorry, I don't use UHF so I can't rate it. I got it just because it's such a good VHF antenna.