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Reviews For: Larsen NMO 2/70

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

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Review Summary For : Larsen NMO 2/70
Reviews: 57MSRP: 54.00 @ HRO
Description:
dual-band 2m/440 nmo mount mobile
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.radialllarsen.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00574.6
KK9H Rating: 2019-04-22
Long time owner Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my first Larsen NMO 2/70 back in the mid-1980s to use with a Larsen magnet mount. It had a gray plastic coil on the bottom and an enclosed coil on the whip. That antenna lasted for over 25 years being shifted from car to car, taken on trips and used for too many volunteer events to count. It was also frequently used with the Larsen base station antenna kit for temporary base station setups. After all that time I replaced it with the current version and gave my original one to a friend who installed it on top of the mast on his sailboat. The NMO 2/70 works as described by others as a 1/2 wave on 2M and a double 5/8 wave collinear on 440. For me its performance has been solid and reliable. SWR measurements have always been perfectly acceptable in both mobile and temporary base configurations. I consider it to be the standard in durable and reliable long lasting dual band mobile antennas.
W5EJ Rating: 2017-08-20
Simply works and built tuff Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own 3 of these and have used the on two vehicles for APRS, ARES and RACES in all sorts of Texas weather. Never an issue, I tune mine with an good SWR when I get them and then I never have to touch them again. I use them both with an UHF and an NMO adapter and with an NMO adapter and all works without an issue. I like their ruggedness and build quality mine have been abused yet continue to work.
KC9BUH Rating: 2017-08-20
not so great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had a couple of the base coils crack. Won't buy any more larson products.
K4KXX Rating: 2017-08-19
The very best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After having a larson on my patrol car for many years, then putting one on my patrol boat, now having one on my personal car, there is only one thing I can say. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Nothing, absolutely NOTHING is better. Buy one, you won't be disappointed
...
KJ4PR Rating: 2017-08-08
Long Life Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this antenna on all my vehicles starting with my Volvo back in 1982. It has hundreds of thousands of road miles on it. Still works great and in use now on a 2010 Ford Escape. 35years and still working great under the hot Key West sun for 35 years!
ZS1SA Rating: 2016-10-18
Built to last Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased my Larsen antenna in 1989. It has been mounted at the top of my tower with the optional radial kit ever since and still working 100 percent today, 27 years later. I am still working the same repeaters 40 miles away that I worked when I first installed it. Well built product.
K5ACL Rating: 2016-07-22
Larsen kicks the Diamonds butt! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
So over the last 9 months, I've been testing out a Larsen 2/70 nmo antenna against a Diamond NR770HNMO.

I have a little write up that you can follow along here:

https://k5acl.net/2016/07/22/larsen-270-mobile-antenna-kicks-butt/

The Larsen just wins in every category IMHO, ruggedness, ease of install, parts replacement, looks, reliability, you name it. It was also a few dollars cheaper than the Diamond.

I do miss the ability to fold the antenna over, but I keep a crescent wrench in my truck, and it takes me two seconds to remove the whip if needed.

The base of the unit is just so much more stable than these other antennas on the market today. The SWR was also slightly better on UHF on the Larsen, not sure if it's due to the additional coil & shortening of the whip? SWR was the same on VHF.

The Diamond would occasionally gather moisture on the nmo contact point, the Larsen seals against the sheet metal preventing this.

It's a no brainer...
VE6BGM Rating: 2016-06-12
Bingo Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Having heard all the great things about this Larsen antenna, I bit the bullet and bought one. Did not check SWR. Changed mounting position and thought I better check SWR. Way out of wack. I thought it was just the position of where it was mounted. Thought I would put a couple of other manufacturers antenna on the same mount and Bingo, no SWR problems. Tried 3 different antennas from different manufacturers and SWR on 2 and 70 were right on without any adjustments. Will try the Larsen again when I have time to play with it but my first impression is why spend all that money.
N8DJR Rating: 2016-06-12
Great until the wee little capacitor blows Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Larsen was acquired by Pulse Electronics in 2006, Larsen becomes a Pulse brand with factories in of all places CHINA. Until recently I have noticed a few quality control issues with the loading coils specifically with the capacitor soldered to the copper coil winding inside the loaded base. Don't get me wrong these are still one of the top dual band hi gain mobile antennas out there but beware of some duds, if you find yourself with high SWR and can't understand why, now you know!
KC7YRA Rating: 2016-06-11
Simply unbeatable service life Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own several of these critters, one of them has a couple hundred thousand miles on multiple different vehicles. This is through driving -40 degree blizzards, to +110 degree summer heat waves, high in the Wyoming mountains. Through it all, they just keep working.

I've tried every kind of mobile VHF/UHF antenna on the market. most will only last a year or two here. Hit a tree branch at 35mph when it's -40 degrees outside . . . . The cheap brands will shatter like ice.

If you are contemplating a mobile antenna, I'll give you some advice. Look at all of the critical duty vehicles in your area (police, fire,EMS). What antennas are they using? I can guarantee they are not some amateur off brand from across the ocean. If you want reliability look at the Larsens.