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Reviews For: M2 EB-144

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

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Review Summary For : M2 EB-144
Reviews: 15MSRP: 120
Description:
2 Meter Eggbeater antenna
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.m2inc.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00153.6
M0VOX Rating: 2018-09-10
Good if you want to keep it simple, but has limitations Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned the M2 EB-144 and EB-432 Antennas with Radial Kits for about 6 years now. For Satellite work, if fixed mounted, I find they are OK for high passes (over 30 degrees) where they start to benefit from the RHCP radiation pattern and a little gain. Above 60 degrees, they perform very well since most of the gain is straight up and the RHCP minimises fading. For low passes, they are very poor - unless mounted on an Az/El rotator (weird concept perhaps, but I have tried them this way). Even on on Az/El rotator, the gain is a bit low when compared to Cross Yagi or X-Quad Antennas. For terrestrial horizontally polarised work, they perform very well. So, in summary if you have limited space (excuse the pun) and want an antenna system that is jack of all trades (but alas, master of none) - then these are a reasonable choice, albeit quite expensive. If you want to work every pass of every bird in the sky at 59 with no fading, then perhaps consider an alternative solution.
VE6ND Rating: 2016-11-16
Good satellite antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My rating of 4 does not reflect the company but how long I've had it and used it which is about 2 days.
Quality - 9 out of 10
Assembly - 10 out of 10
Usability - 10 out of 10
Electrically - 10 out of 10
I bought both the EB-432 and the EB-144, I like them and tried them on EO-79 with the satellite at 45 degrees max el I could copy the beacon without a preamp and that's using a 2510 transverter and a 817.
K0JEG Rating: 2015-04-05
Easy sats are easy! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First, let me say that I live in a valley. To the north and south I can't see anything below 12 degrees or so. To the east about 8 degrees, and to the west I can see the whole way down to 0 degrees. So even though I have limited "vision" I still wanted to work satellites. The more I considered the cost of an Az/El rotator that could be easily computer controlled and had feedback, the more I realized that it would be a waste of money. I already own an Elk Log periodic as well as an Arrow, so I knew that an omni directional antenna would be less effective than a beam, but without a rotator you'll need an extra hand to wave around the antenna.

I've read about eggbeaters for years, but because most people dismissed them I hesitated. After I realized my issues with the horizon, I just figured I'd give them a try. I also added an AR² receiver for the 432 side.

All I can say is that I'm amazed by the results. As soon as they are above the horizon I can hear them. I do need to run higher transmit power than I used to with the beams, but that's not the end of the world. Because I don't need to screw around with aiming antennas it makes what used to be a hectic time as simple as any other QSO now. Adding a foot switch for PTT and full doppler software makes it super easy to run the log and the radio.

So if you have a less than ideal QTH you might take a close look at these. M² sells them as a pair with a cross-buck type mounting system, which make it a little simpler still.
K6ATZ Rating: 2009-11-14
Have Worked Great for 10 Years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had the EB-144 and the EB-432 for about ten years now, in multiple locations and configurations, and am very happy with them.

They went together easily and last forever. I have used them to work LEO satellites with and without preamps, no problem at all. I put them higher in the air for terrestrial contests and pump 160 and 100 watts through them with great results.

I have the radial kits and haven't found the need to remove them for earthbound work, they do just great as-is. For the latest configuration see my "antenna farm" links on http://www.k6atz.us
KG4RUL Rating: 2009-04-12
No Problems! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have both the 2M and 70CM antennas with the radial kits.I guess I can't fathom why anyone would give these antennas a 0 or 1 of 5 rating.

I had no trouble straightening out the rings. Perhaps the ones who did are the same ones we see struggling with simple tasks on TV commercials??

They perform excellently for both satellite and terrestrial communications.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by KG4RUL on 2003-12-09

I have to second KY6R's experience. I also have the same setup with the 2M and 70CM antennas along with a 70CM preamp both at 17Ft. I also use both antennas for terrestrial comms. Best 2M & 70CM DX contacts were from Charleston, SC to Waycross, GA, 176 miles to the same station, within minutes of each other.
WA1GZY Rating: 2009-04-12
Great Attic Perfomer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This little bugger actually works well for satellite commuications from inside my attic (due to outside antenna restrictions)...defying conventional wisdom that weak satellite signals do not penetrate rooftops.

I strongly recommend adding a Good GAAsFET preamplifier at the antenna feedpoint. Mine is by SSB Electronic GmbH.
W6CJ Rating: 2008-09-20
Poor Documentation Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought the 144 and 432 antennas, with ground plane kits for entry-level terrestrial SSB and SATCOM. Had to spend way too much of my time straightening the kinks out of the copper-plated, #12 steel wire M2 uses for the crossed loops in each antenna. The copper wire for the 144 antenna was shipped in a section of PVC irrigation pipe and was particularly difficult to get the sharp bends and kinks out of. The documentation was weak and confusing in places. Hope they perform.
WV4I Rating: 2006-04-26
Terra Firma and Sat Ops Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned both the EB-144 and EB-432 with ground plane kits for several years now, bought used. I suppose upwards of $400 for a pair of these new, with ground plane options, is a bit pricey, and yes M2's phone manners could use some refinement. But then you need to get used to abuse from some of the folks that frequent online trading sites for that matter... Anyway, these antennas are horizontal on the horizon and circular overhead. Until I put up horizontal beam for 2M SSB, got excellent performance from EB-144 on 2M SSB. Ditto for the few 70CM SSB QSO's made with my EB-432. Now have horizontal beam for that band also. As these antennas only handle 800W, I had to switch to M2 yagi for 2M SSB ops. Had made many UO-14 FM QSO's when that bird was still QRV, so these antennas work well for Sat ops as well. One note, I believe ground plane is recommended for better overhead Sat ops, while no ground plane is preferred for better horizon (e.g. SSB/CW) ops, re another review.
N9BC Rating: 2006-04-25
Nice little antennas Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I would have to say I was pretty happy with these antennas. Of course they are not going to be as good as a beam, but they do work well for what they are. I had mine up only 15ft off the ground and was still able to make contacts just fine. The only real negitive thing I can say is if you buy new you are going to pay lots of $$$. So I would look for used if you can.
WO8USA Rating: 2006-02-21
Easy on air, but high priced Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have both the EB 144 and its 70cm cousin, and use them for satellite communications. They are easy to get together, and I have luck contacting most satellites above 25 degrees. The proce detracts from the 5 rating---operations a 5, price a 3.5???

But---if you don't have the time to buld and just want no-hassle operation and minimal infrastructure, these antennas work!

I also have Icom preamps on both. A must for satellite work.

I have used these for local communications too. I would not recommend them for this but they work amazingly well for that too.

Got mine from R&L electronics, gret service.

Chris WO8USA