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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
KC5HMC Rating: 2005-09-05
One of the best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used various Larsen antennas and haven't had any trouble what so ever. The NMO 2/70 is a durable antenna as well as having great performance. Being on a truck it more prone to hitting tree branches and drive through overhangs. The open coil whip is ideal for the abuse that I tend to put mobile antennas through. SWR is 1.2 on 145 Mc and 1.3 at 147 Mc. 440 hasn't been check at this time, but works great.
KC2MVK Rating: 2005-06-15
Nothing beats this one! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Ive tried about 10 differnt antennas in dual bands,this one is number one in my book.I cant find one to outperform this antenna.I am sticking with the Larsen NMO 2/70B closed coil.It can't be beat.
KC0SOG Rating: 2005-01-10
Excellent Antenna! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This one is attached to an L-bracket on the opposite side of the FM antenna on my Ford Explorer. This is a solid, low-profile, good looking antenna that performs. I really don't think you would notice any better performance for general metro-area repeater use. I rely on this for SKYWARN commmunications too. I have complete confidence in this antenna.

Doug - KC0SOG
N8EKT Rating: 2004-07-26
THE BEST!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
SIMPLY THE BEST DUALBAND MOBILE ANTENNA ON THE MARKET!
BETTER PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY THAN THE COMETS AND DIAMONDS I'VE HAD
KU4GI Rating: 2004-06-08
One tuff antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This was the first antenna I bought when I got my ticket.

That was 12 years ago and I still use the same antenna today. I have had it installed on several vehicles which included a 1985 cj7 jeep that I rolled 3 times...BUT the antenna survived(Jeep did not)..The Larsen spring I had on it bent a little but not that much. Most recently I had it mounted on my 99 Trans am...worked great of course.

Over the years the only thing I needed to do was paint the base(they used to be gray) to black and hit it with some brasso to get some of the oxidation off the whip. But it maintained a swr of 1.2:1

If you want a all round good tuff antenna this is the one. Now there are some better talkers out there but I am not sure on the reliability.

I just bought a Diamond sg7500 which costs alot more than the nmo 2/70 and gonna mount on my tundra...I will see whether this antenna stacks up to the Larsen, some how I doubt it will last 12 years and through a totaled vehicle not to mention the years of storm chasing.

I may have just bought a diamond but I aint gettin rid of the larsen for nothing.
KD7EZE Rating: 2004-03-09
Larsen = good performance Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've always used Larsen antennas, even before I became a ham. I have no real experience with the 2/70, as I install a separate antenna for each band. I prefer the 5/8 wave NMO types, and currently use (2) NMO-150's, one for ham and one for business; (2) NMO-UHF's, one for ham and one for business; and (1) NMO-50 for 6M FM. I do have several other antennas for SSB and satellite work.
For the previous poster who stated that he couldn't get the SWR any lower than 1.9:1 all I can say is that it wasn't mounted properly. For over 20 years, I've gotten consistent 1.2:1 SWR's on any Larsen product. Some people don't know, when installing the NMO type of antennas, after you drill the hole, you have to remove the paint from the underside of the hole before installing the mount. I've solved many installers problems by removing the mount, and taking a Dremel tool to the underside of the mount, and removing the paint directly around the hole. When they get it back, and don't SEE any physical changes, they wonder what I've done. This isn't a trade secret, just proper installation practice.
For those that remember, I have a Larsen FB1-136 2M 5/8 wave ground plane, and also a Larsen FB2-450 70cm 5/8 wave ground plane, both of which are mounted to my mobile communications trailer. Again, great antennas, if installed properly.

KD7EZE
W4MY Rating: 2004-03-09
Works Fine! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Had the antenna installed by a professional radio shop dead center on the roof. Bought the Larson NMO mount kit also. (Hole in a new truck, I didn't want to mess it up! HI) The mount went in clean and antenna on in short order. SWR is fine. Coverage is great. Looks good. So far no leaks. As I stated above, works fine!

73 Marty W4MY
VA3WXM Rating: 2003-12-11
Professional quality Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned and used my Larsen dual-bander for over 2 years. It's a solid unit that is designed for professional use! SWR out of the package was under 2:1 which is fine for me, and it didn't vary much depending on where it was mounted. Performance on 2m was about what I expected for a 1/2 wave antenna.

I also own a Larsen 5/8 for 2m and an NMO27 for 11/10m. Both have similar build quality and should provide years of trouble-free service.
KZ9G Rating: 2003-12-11
Great Results w/ Larsen NMO 2/70B Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I don't understand the previous poster's complaints, because they just seem unfounded given my 20 year professional two-way and amateur history with Larsen mobile antenna products. I've installed and run Larsen NMO versions VHF, UHF and dual band antennas for years... they work tremendously well and offer serious performance. They are PROFESSIONAL antennas through and through. In fact, I've changed out the RG-58 on my NMO, thru-hole, roof mount with quality RG-8X, and still didn't any increase in SWR or return loss (you typically see a more representative feedpoint match with lower loss feedline). Anyway, both antennas sit at roughly 1.1 to 1 VSWR, or maybe 1 or 2 watts reflected out of 50 or more forward. Both antennas play extremely well, and I won't be switching to strangely designed and more complex antenna made in Asia. Larsen mobile antennas rule...
VE3XYD Rating: 2003-12-10
ITS NOT THE GREATEST! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Ok for people that never used hi-end product maybe this antenna is great. According to specs of my test equipment the antenna is so so.

SWR is not as listed in the manual or website. Actualy the match is lower and the antenna never gets 1.5 to 1 on any bands. Its actualy about 1.9 when placed in the middle of the car roof.

Performance is weak. Transmit is weak as well.
Leave a reapeter behind about 120km and then you can tell how bad this antenna is doing comparing to some real highend antennas. For local city drive the antenna is great. Not good for little dx contacts while driving.

120km away from repeater I copy the station s2 on larsen. I changed it to Diamond just to compare and the station came in s4! Larsen $100cdn, Diamond $150... I would pay the extra $50 to get good performance while driving.

UHF the antenna is not bad, VHF site very very bad antenna with little high swr!

ciao
73s