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Reviews For: Diamond SG-M911 6m/2m/70cm mobile antenna

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

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Review Summary For : Diamond SG-M911 6m/2m/70cm mobile antenna
Reviews: 4MSRP: 69.95
Description:
Mobile antenna, PL-259 base. 41 inches tall. 6m/2m/70cm advertised gain 2.15/3.0/5.8
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.rfparts.com/diamond/mobile.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0044.3
K3GM Rating: 2009-03-21
Fits the bill Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using this antenna for over 6 years, and on two different vehicles with great performance. It's a good alternative to the ungainly, poor performing quad band antennas when it's used in combination with a separate 10m antenna. Unfortunately, I believe this model is no longer made.
K9MGY Rating: 2007-08-30
Great Triband Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a great antenna for a tri band!!! No issues!!! Very nice size for a garage!!! I don't have to fold it over to go into my garage!!!
KB1JBJ Rating: 2007-05-21
Can't ask for more Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had this for about 4 years now. Have it mounted on the top of SUV. Works great on 6m,2m and 70cm. Easily hits repeaters over 50 to 75 miles away on 6m and 2m. Don't understand why last review was a 2 (sounds like a dealer gripe), this baby outperforms a lot of 2m antennas out there today. Folds over for parking garage. Just use some dielectric grease to keep water out.
K1ESL Rating: 2004-04-29
Mixed bag Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Pros: short size, fold-over mast, seems to have a good build quality
Cons: short size, 60 watt max rating, "delicate" construction, poor warranty support

The antenna is an apparent adequate performer on 2m (SWR 1:1.2 middle of band) and 70cm, I can't yet comment on 6m (see below). Its best feature is the short profile - 41 inches. This helps on tall vehicles where the other tri-banders would get beat up.

For just the antenna, I'd probably rate it a 3, but for the total experience (read on), I lowered it.

Cautionary note - the antenna I purchased as "new" had been apparently previously modified and on returning it for warranty neither GigaParts (retailer) or RF Parts (warrantor and distributor) would take responsibility, resulting in a $43 repair bill to replace the matching network. GigaParts' policy is very iffy - they can't deal with anything once you buy it, it seems, even if they didn't sell you something new. Caveat Emptor.

And lastly - I've swapped out the quad radio for now and have been using a good old Larsen 5/8 wave 2m mag mount with a 2m radio. They are excellent performers and killer durable. No more Diamond for me. My opinion is that Diamond and Comet (read their reviews) make technically slick antennas, but they seem to fail with technical glitches (loose screws, things coming apart) so that they seem "delicate".