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Reviews For: Diamond MR77 2m/70cm Mag Mount Ant.

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

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Review Summary For : Diamond MR77 2m/70cm Mag Mount Ant.
Reviews: 30MSRP: 39.95
Description:
2m/70cm Antanna with Magnetic Base.
19.5 Inches (0.5m) high, 13 Feet RG58C/U and terminates to a PL-259 plug.
2m = 1/4 Wave, 70cm = 1/2 wave.
Max Power = 70 Watts.
The Diamond MR77SMA is the identical, but terminates to an SMA plug.
1 Year Mfg. Warranty.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.rfparts.com/diamond/mr77.pdf
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00304.6
K7TAA Rating: 2019-04-12
The base is rusting Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This antenna seems to work fine on the fairly large roof of a double-cab pickup. I haven't tested the magnetic mount above 70 mph. The antenna has been in the weather for a cumulative total of only 3-5 months, in northern Idaho, and not exposed to coastal salt air or spray. The base has extensive rust in more than 10 separated areas and around the rim of the bottom adjacent to the pickup roof. There is a very noticeable circular mark in the paint of the vehicle roof at the mag mount location possibly indicating corrosion. This ring is the entire circumference of the base, and could mean that there was an insufficient protective layer separating the metal of the base rim from the vehicle roof. The antenna was new 10 months ago, and dry when not on the vehicle roof. I've ordered a Larsen magnetic mount antenna replacement.
KB9ZB Rating: 2018-10-08
Best car antenna I have ever used Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Swr was spot on right out of the gate. Small and compact perfect fit for luggage. I do a lot of airline/rental car trips. I use this to keep me on the air. No issues and gave run the coax through many doors,not even so much as a link after. I straightened out the coax, put it back in the bag and ready to go for the next trip. A perfect travel companion antenna
4X1ST Rating: 2018-06-05
Reliable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Very pleased with this antenna. I use it to access local DMR repeaters with a TYT MD-380, and occasionally FM with a QYT KT8900. It always performs well. SWR was spot on, out of the box. Build quality is good. Aesthetically, it doesn't really stand out, and doesn't draw attention.

I also used one of these stuck on an airconditioner outside the apartment to get me back on the air after a long break. It performed equally well.
K4EQE Rating: 2015-04-10
Great Portable Antenna! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have zero complaints about this antenna. I'm currently portable 4 on Long Island N.Y. so i had to find an antenna that i can use for the time being.

I've been using it as a portable antenna on my work truck (Tow Truck) using my IC-80AD. With only 5 watts, DV or analog it works just fine for what i need it for.
K6ITR Rating: 2014-11-24
Looks good, works great. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased the MR77SMA specifically to use with my FT-60. I don't like stringing adapters together because of loss and excessive strain on the connector, and the SMA screws right to the radio. It can also be attached to a BNC-to-SMA adapter for use on other radios. The RG58C/U coax is very flexible, more so than the RG58A/U coax I've had on other mag-mount antennas. It seems a bit fragile in terms of being fed through car doors, but as they say, don't do that. I run it through the trunk, where there is a big-enough gap between the body panels to avoid pinching. I loop it under the belt clip on the radio to relieve the strain on the connector. My MFJ259 thinks the antenna is a bit long on 2 meters, but still under 2:1 across the entire band. At 146 mhz it reads about 1.6:1. The lowest SWR is actually below 144 mhz. I have no equipment to check the SWR on 440. Considering the dubious reputation of MFJ,(my 259's digital and analog readouts don't always agree with each other, let alone other meters), the decent reputation of Diamond, and the advice of Diamond and the HRO staff not to cut it, I'm leaving it alone. In any case, I have had great results on both 2 meters and 440. There are certain repeaters in southern California where the regulars will jump all over you at the first sign of a poor signal. I have heard none of that. These folks are picky. I like the way this antenna looks. Nice low-sheen finish, very sleek. The magnet sticks like it's welded on, even though it's smaller than other similar models. I considered several other almost identical antennas, from Comet (too expensive and not very good reviews), MFJ, (My first one failed in less than a year), OPEK, (poor reviews), and Ebay specials like Nagoya, (you have no idea what you'll get or if it will work). The Diamond came out on top. Not to mention, it has a 4.7 here on eHam, better than all the rest. If I were to buy any other 2m/70cm antenna package, it would be one with higher gain, and a more permanent, grounded mount. Higher gain and a grounded mount means you'll spend at least $100. The MR77 is a great choice for a handheld. If I were running a dual band mobile like the Yaesu 7900, I would run a more permanent antenna package, but for the ability to switch my HT between cars, the MR77 is ideal.
KK4PLD Rating: 2014-03-21
Good Antenna Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Definately a step up from a rubber duck on a hand held.

The only thing I would caution is not to feed the coax through a door jamb, you will pinch it and damage it.

Great for temporary installations like car rentals or portable operations.

IZ1GCN Rating: 2013-12-28
Excellent antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Excellent antenna, compact, high-performance (given the small size). Ideal for fast installations inside the car. I would recommend the Diamond antenna mr-77.
Roberto, IZ1GCN
KD2CTY Rating: 2013-03-06
Excellent Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have gotten great reception reports. I have it sitting on a radaiator in my bedroom. I have reached southern NJ and northern westchester from south manhattan.
9W2GDL Rating: 2013-02-20
high performance antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
good, awesome.. 5 star !
K5ND Rating: 2012-12-01
Very Handy Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Works great. Pop it on the top of the car, run the cable through the door, and connect to your HT. No adapters, etc. I use it with an Icom ID-31A into 440 MHz D-Star and Analog repeaters. Works great all over the DFW area.