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Reviews For: Austin 500C Antenna

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

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Review Summary For : Austin 500C Antenna
Reviews: 28MSRP: 35.00
Description:
The 500C Antenna are an adaptation of the popular Metropolitan Mobile Multiband Antenna. The UHF function is handled by the upper whip portion of the antenna. The element is operational as a ground independent 1/2 wave radiator. It is isolated from the feed line by the resonant cavity, which also produces a 50-ohm match. This isolation, combined with the elevation of the feed point, produces a superior radiation pattern that is on the horizon for maximum range and efficiency. The VHF operation is provided by the overall length of the antenna, functioning as a 1/4 wave element while using the vehicle as a ground plane. This patented technique substantially lowers the typically high radiation angle of the 1/4 wave antenna. Relatively short, the antenna will not bend over at highway speeds, distorting the radiation pattern. These two factors combine to provide performance when at speeds exceeding the typical 5/8 wave design. The 500C family of antenna includes single, dual, tri, and quad band versions in many popular frequency splits.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.austinantenna.net/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00284.7
KT2I Rating: 2021-10-13
Workhorse Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Mine have been workhorses for over a decade. It's not a high-gain antenna - I use single band 5/8 whips for gain, but for its low profile it gets out a good signal. Very broadband; I've used this model as a fill-in antenna for a business band radio while replacing coax. I live in the northeast and it's been fine in urban areas and rural, flat and mountains.

Mine have held up well in salt, rain, snow, sun. Scraped the roof of a few parking garages on top of my truck. One is mag mounted and very easy to move between vehicles or portable locations when you need.

Looking to order some for portable kits. Site is now http://www.innovativeantennadesign.com/ but not taking online orders anymore. Links to retailers (HRO) are at the website. I've gotten my money's worth out of the ones I have and will stick with what works.
KI9E Rating: 2020-11-24
Great Performance ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
An "Offset Fed" 1/4 Wave on 2 Meters, a ground independent 1/2 wave on 70 cm. Have this roof mounted on a Honda Civic and it performs quite well. The patented design allows a low 1deg to 2deg angle of radiation. The SWR is practically flat, 1.1 across both Ham bands. About 2.5 SWR on the GMRS Frequencies at 467Mhz. If your looking for a lower profile antenna with great performance the Austin 500C is worth it.
K1LH Rating: 2020-06-28
NMO Mount needs work Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The NMO mount used on these antennas leaves a little to be desired..

It does not feature the rubber o-ring to form a seal. Also has a sharp edge around the base which would damage or mark any surface it mates up-to. Inside the base is a thick rubber gasket which prevents the base from mating up to surface of the mount it's screwed onto. When mounted it doesn't look entirely professional with a gap around the base.

If your NMO mount is on a bracket, probably doesn't matter so much, but if through a roof (which was my intended installation) it wont form a water tight seal.

I emailed Austin Antenna a week ago asking about a solution, received no reply.

It's a pity such an otherwise well designed antenna (electrically and aesthetically) is let down with the design of the mount, and no response to an inquiry.
W1DOG Rating: 2016-10-18
A+ rating Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Purchased around 1992,and in service for 12+ years. About to put the same antenna back in service. I used my 500C in the very hilly terrain of New England for 12 years in cars and vans. I used a good balance of 2 and 440 repeaters and the performance was NEVER out matched. OF GREAT NOTE: I used this antenna in my fiberglass body RV were other antennas would not work without a metal plate being added. Camping to Interstate, country to city, the Austin 500C WORKED, period. (Oh, I did have the usual issue in cold weather with condensation and the NMO mounted antennas. Solved by putting an O ring between the body and the screw down collar, something I had issue with on most NMO mounted antennas.
N2XPM Rating: 2016-05-05
Still Going Strong Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well still going strong having returned back to using it again. I found that even for its size, it still equals or out performs longer length mobile antennas that have higher gain. I have tried so many antennas over the years and this by far out performs so many of them.

If you install it properly, it will deliver many years of use....

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N2XPM on 2011-02-20

Purchased several of these antennas for users on my machine. Some using it on Magnetic mounts and others using it on mounts permanently mounted on top of the vehicle. Users have stated that they are hearing much better and able to hit distant machines with reduced power compared to using either a 1/4 spike or high gain antenna greater than 40" in height. If you are careful with the install, the antenna will last a long time. It's performance is outstanding equal to or greater than some of the taller high gain antennas and cheaper too.
K3LRH Rating: 2016-04-22
Very Good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
...Installed via mag mount on my truck roof since 2007. Filled the NMO mount with "Stuff" dielectric water proofing and all is good. Low height allows pull into garage without fiddling. Easily handles 75 watts continuous. There may be better, longer antennas, but this one suits my needs. Recommended.
W9RNA Rating: 2015-05-23
So So Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this antenna about 2 weeks ago. I purchased it based on the reviews listed here. Boy what a mistake, I have used wooden fence posts. That have worked better. I was using an old Pro-Am duo band antenna. Which has worked great for years. But I thought I needed a newer model.
The swr is very good. But the rcv with the antenna is very poor. On tranmit my wife was so broken up. I thought she was on the other side of the world. It turns out the antenna was broken after she got home and I took it off the car. I would recommend this antenna to anyone who has extra money to blow away. Buy Larsen it is better.
KM4ASH Rating: 2014-06-14
Good Signal Reports! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have been licensed only a short time (Six weeks).

Bought a Boefung UV-5R - so as to not invest too much while learning.

Bought this antenna for my van based on reviews here to be sure I had a very good antenna to go with my 4 watt power.

I get very surprised responses at my signal quality when I say I am at 4 watts. When I further mention the antenna mounted on the top of a full size van, I then hear "Oh, that explains the distance at 4 watts."

Craig - KM4ASH
KF5HDU Rating: 2013-07-12
Excellent antenna! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My unit replaced a Diamond 770HA. I also run an SG7900 from time to time. The 500c does everything the 770 does in a smaller, less expensive package. The NMO is the cat's meow too. I simply believe the 500c is one of the best mobile antennas made. Period! I drive 50k miles a year across a lot countryside. I hit a lot of repeaters across North Texas and eastern Oklahoma. Try one, you will kick yourself for not doing it sooner.
KJ4DZF Rating: 2012-09-08
excellect product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
bought this for installation on a new car. all i can say is WOW. for it's size this antenna works remarkably well. So well in fact i am ordering a second to replace a larger antenna on my truck.

the 500c works as designed, is well made and even looks good when installed. One surpise i found is the base is flexible allowing the already sort antenna to flex and bend easily if needed.