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Reviews For: Diamond CR8900A

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

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Review Summary For : Diamond CR8900A
Reviews: 18MSRP: 110
Description:
A 10m/6m/2m/70cm FM Quad Band antenna. This antenna can handle up to 60 watts FM.

This antenna is approximately 50 inches (1.26m) high and weighs 18 ounces (490g). The antenna is silver and black. There are two center coils and a base coil. The connector type is UHF (for PO mount). This antenna is not recommended for a magnet mount. Includes an Allen wrench for tuning.
Product is in production
More Info: https://www.diamondantenna.net/cr8900a.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00183.8
W4KVW Rating: 2020-05-07
It's not Terrible Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using the antenna for over Two Years on my RAM 1500 Quad Cab with the TYT TH-9800 & I have worked all over North America on 6 & 10 meters when the bands have been open.It does NOT perform as well as another Diamond Dual Band antenna on 2 meters & 440 mhz but it's not terrible on those bands either. New price is about $100 & it works OK for that price for me.I know several friends who opted for the CHEAP copy found on many sites & soon discovered that they were tuned for the wrong portion of the bands & are pretty much Useless.They ended up buying the real Thing & disposing of the Cheap Copies because they are so out of band in the United States.Buy the Real thing the First time & Be Happy.
KA5BBC Rating: 2020-05-07
Solidly built but a poor performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this antenna to match my FT-8900 thinking that an antenna specifically designed for this radio would be the best choice. While it is solidly built and has survived daily use and abuse its performance leaves a lot to be desired. Despite being well mounted, and the vehicle being thoroughly bonded, 10m & 6m SWR was never acceptable and 2m/70cm performance was mediocre at best - outperformed by simple whip antennas let alone the Comet SR-7 that replaced it (a CG-144 might be the final install once I workout how to fold it over every day). When switching to an IC-706MkIIg for mobile use I couldn't get 10m & 6m to working acceptably well, even with an ATU, so switched to separate antennas for HF & UHF/VHF.
While it still looks like new after two years on my vehicle it was a poor investment in terms of performance.
DL4EAX Rating: 2018-03-06
Surprised Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have mounted the antenna at the balcony rail on the 16 th floor without any further counterpoise.
Surprisingly, the SWR has been good on all bands and the bandwidth is sufficient to work digimode and SSB on the lower parts of the band. The fold-over mechanism even allows bringing the antenna into a horizontal position. This is perfect for monitoring the bands on FT8 and doing some other operations in combination with my Yaesu FT-857D.
W0MUD Rating: 2018-01-03
Great antenna! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This antenna works great on my Prius C. I use a K400 UHF mount on the hatch lid. 10,6,2 and 70cm are all 1.4 or less for VSWR. (I never had to adjust it) The only thing I could complain about is that I wish 10,6 and 2 meters had better gain. 2.5 dbi is pretty low however 70cm has 5.5 and that is acceptable for me. I have had this antenna for about a year with my Yaesu FT8900R and I have never once had an issue with any part or drift of the VSWR. If you're considering this Diamond quadband antenna, I say go for it! It has earned the 5 stars!
K6QT Rating: 2017-03-08
Fairly good antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Referring to the previous comment, there are some set screws at the bottom of the antenna for 6 M. They reommend you set those first, then do 10m. What I can't figure out is the set screw for 10. The hole is twice as big as the allen wrench they give you. Now do any of you have any ideas?
AD5HD Rating: 2015-07-07
Works as advertised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought this to work with a new FT-8900, mounted with a K400C and tuned it up with a CIA-HF for 10m/6m and a TH-G71A/SX40C for 2m/70cm. Got excellent VSWR across all four bands. Performance seems quite good for a trunk lip mounted mobile, no complaints. Seems very solid, not seeing how it could come apart at the matching coil as it appears to be a solid metal piece up to where the bottom whip (large diameter rod stock) attaches with dual setscrews. The Diamond and HRO sites show it as a tilt-over model but it isn't so it has to be removed to get the car in the garage. Instructions are clear and easy to follow, the antenna is easy to tune but can get tedious going back and forth, worth it though.
NS5F Rating: 2014-04-23
Awful durability, VSWR as advertised Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I had owned several for use with my Yaesu 8900. While the antenna has acceptable VSWR on all the supported bands the durability is absolutely AWFUL.
Both antennas suffered the same defect and came apart at the base of the loading coil. The ONLY reason I did not rate this antenna a ZERO was it did perform as advertised with the VSWR. Hopefully a company will get serious about quality control and offer a product that is durable enough for an average commuter.
VK3FMJA Rating: 2014-03-18
GREAT 4 BAND ANTENNA Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I had this Antenna for the last couple months. Not only a GOOD looking antenna but it has also a SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE. I have used Diamond K-400 for mounting bracket to have a good ground for the 10m to work. This antenna looks good specially on a 4X4 but it attracts trouble. The price is abit expensive but its worth buying for. I recommend this antenna for camping or any outdoor activities. CR8900 with matching Yaesu 8900R is a MASTERPIECE.



73....

G0LGB Rating: 2013-06-08
Good 4 band Performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Very impressed with my 8900, just make sure you have a good metal to metal contacts and avoid mag-mounts as the capacitance at 6 and 10 will throw out the swr, and its too big to use safely in a mag anyway and you will get vastly superior performance from good metal to metal contacts.

I've had mine for over a year with no issues at all, my analyser shows it tunes at or below 1.5:1 on all bands with excellent bandwidth, note it only needs very slight adjustment for 10m.

I use mine with a Diamond hatch back mount, no additional earth or ground plane and it tunes and works very well indeed.

It's nicely made using good quality connectors and stainless fittings.

Not a cheap antenna new but if you see one used at a rally I'd highly recommend you buy it.
M6AOC Rating: 2013-01-24
Performs Well Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased this antenna with my FT8900 a few weeks ago and although it is rather tall I have been very happy with its performance. I have it mounted using a K415 and this I am happy with. No issues with SWR. It is too early to say to much on this antenna at this present time. I will give an update later in the year.