| KB6HRT |
Rating:      |
2018-07-04 | |
| It is what it is. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Don't drive to HRO anymore, so have to get things delivered an think about what I want a lot more, less imposes buying, anyway Installed my CHA250B it replaced an A99 that had been up 25' to its base, very easley, used a 100' of RG8X and my ham friend made a coil out of about 25' of the excessed RG8X at the base of the mast, no CMC needed so far. A quick an early morning an we were finished an Gray Line was still happening on 40m an i could test the CHA250 against 3 different 40m antennas on receive in Gray Line, all four antennas were within an S unit or 2 from each other. A 102' G5RV an two resonant dipoles one N to S the other E to W . The CHA250 is a viable antenna for use on 40m for my little antenna farm, 75m its about 3+ S units from a resonant dipole, an other wire antennas I have up. still could hear lots of stations. On 20m it down about the same as 75m but again some station came in very strong and it was the same as the G5RV an my MQ26 mini beam, for what I was looking for it covers all bands, an makes the grade an will fit in well at this QTH. Happy 4th of JULY 2018 to all my HAM brothers and sisters in the good old USA
an 73s..................kb6hrt |
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| KB5FLF |
Rating:      |
2018-06-27 | |
| Great Antenna |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I usually don't write reviews but this was an amazing experience. My HF loop antenna needed to be replaced as I lost one of my antenna supports.(See review on Red Bud trees) There is not a lot of room at my home and I didn't want to spend a lot of money. I chose the CHA 250B after researching all possibilities.
I purchased this antenna from Associated Radio in Overland Park, KS. Great people! It took less than 30 minutes for me to assemble and erect the antenna.
My first contacts were made on 20 meters with a station in Alberta, CA and a station in Connecticut. All 59 reports. The next day I made contacts with a station in Portugal and several stations in the U.S. I have worked several stations on a net on 40 meters with similar results. I am using an ICOM 706, at 100 watts, and all contacts were made without a tuner. My meter shows SWR of 1:1 up to a max of 1:1.5. Truly amazing. I can switch frequencies or bands without having to use a tuner. (My Palstar looks lonely.)
So far my experience with this antenna has been amazing. It is economical, simple, and works! I would highly recommend this antenna for a newly licensed amateur or an old veteran who needs a simple replacement antenna.
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| AC8JU |
Rating:    |
2018-05-19 | |
| Better than expected. |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I used the Comet for two months, twice as long as planned. As preface, I've been buying, building and using antennas for 50 years. I took down a Butternut to make room for this, and have now put it back up.
I bought it to test it. On face, it seemed the Comet must be pie in the sky, but there was still something about it. I just waited until one came along cheaply enough to consider it expendable. As it turns out I'll be keeping it, but will not be using it right away.
I'm getting older, and must be realistic. Already my Doctor is telling me to stay off ladders. I do hope to get a few more years out of the Butternut before I have to stop going outside to adjust it in the middle of winter nights, and I'd really like to use my tribander for the peak of cycle 25, but after that I'll be over 80. The idea of a no-tune HF antenna has become irresistable.
At first I used it for SWLing. It was great, nearly as effective as my low 100 foot wire. Very encouraging.
It seems to be an OK receive antenna. Not a Butternut, not even a Hustler, but OK. It's fairly sensitive, and quiet for a vertical. Almost loop-like. Yeah, I know a compromise antenna will just lower the noise along with the signal, but there is more going on here. Transmit function is not as good but still useful. A 100 Watt station that I give a 5x9+ to will return a 5x7 or so. Folks who know me don't seem to notice the difference. One asked "You running barefoot again?"
I have not worked any DX. It sorta feels like working 40 with a conventional multiband vertical, tuned for mid-band, but operated out at the band edge with 60 feet of RG-58 and a sweaty autotuner. But it does so all the way from the top of ten to the bottom of 80 without complaint, attention or a tuner. I can't test it on six.
One technical surprise: Remember the Butternut that stepped aside to allow my test? It's domain is a ground mount over 36 radials, all 34 feet long. A forty meter field. The Comet doesn't like that. It gives me a 3:1 SWR on 40 until I disconnect the radials leaving only the ground rod. Go figure. Installed that way all the other bands suffer. The Comet likes radials but does not want them resonant. Next test I'll try it up higher on a mast without any radials - like the instructions say.
Conclusions so far? It's way better than I expected, and seems well suited to my intended future use. Looking forward to trying it at QRP where it's big unun won't be running at saturation.
One thing to avoid: Never use it to check into your low band WAS net. Not unless you really enjoy being laughed at. |
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| KK6YO |
Rating:      |
2018-04-09 | |
| Great antenna |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Ok, I have read all the reviews and searched for all information regarding the Comet CHA250B antenna.
Amateur radio operator for 40+ years (still learning) I received the antenna this past weekend and installed it on my roof on a professional vent mount. 3 5' poles in which I installed the CHA250B on to. Attached 100 foot RRG8x and ran the coax into my shack. After reading all the reviews that were pretty evenly rated the antenna from "POS" to "Dummy load" to "My inverted "V" works better than this horrible antenna.
You can stop here because I am going to give it straight and honest:
After I put up my antenna I tuned to 60 meter band (CH1) and it was about 6PM this last weekend. I immediately heard guys talking at a +9 signal and immediately gave a call. My reports were 59+ in San Francisco and the same in Arizona. I Live in the greater Los Angeles area. So that is one band down: Fast forward to this morning 4.09.18. I am on 40 meter most mornings on 7.155 morning group. My reports were 599 all the way down to 51. Some were better on my Bazooka and some better on the vertical. My first contact this morning was to my friend VE7LX who could not tell the difference between the Comet Vertical and my bazooka (599). All this was on 100 watts. (i usually use my SB-200 on the Bazooka) So sorry for the long report but I feel that a honest approach to this antenna is best.
40 meter - great
75 - meter great
60 - meter was great.
Remember this antenna is rated for 250 watts so don't push your luck.
Finally, when the sun cycle comes back, I honest feel that you will not need any other antenna if you are a casual "AMATEUR" like me . Great antenna.
73 to all
Jerry - KK6YO |
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| KG4RUL |
Rating:   |
2018-02-26 | |
| Maybe |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I had the opportunity to do an A-B-C comparison of this antenna with a Diamond BB7V (similar design and construction) and my 24 foot flagpole with 12 short radials. IF this is the only antenna you can have then it is a good antenna and the same goes for the Diamond. Compared to the flagpole, stations that were heard clearly either were barely heard or not heard at all. On the transmit side, while it was able to use the on-board tuner in a TS2000, same with the Diamond, the performance on transmit was nowhere near that of the flagpole which required a wide-range auto-tuner to use at all.
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Earlier 0-star review posted by KG4RUL on 2010-03-26
I have compared the Comet CHA250B and the Diamond BB-7V (a similar design antenna) directly with a Force 12 23' flagpole antenna (with 10, random length, buried radials). An MFJ remote tuner was used in each comparison.
Stations that were clearly heard on the flagpole were not heard at all on either the Comet or Diamond antennas. If this is your only antenna choice then try it. Otherwise, your money is better spent on other solutions. |
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| KM6NFF |
Rating:     |
2018-02-26 | |
| A Good Vertical |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
After trying 2 brand new MFJ 1788 loop antenna and both came to me not working I'd thought I would try a vertical. Being a new Ham operator and wanted something simple I ordered the Comet CHA250B.
For me this antenna works great. I live in the west coast and have talked all over the states so far. It's really easy to put together and is made very well.
With that said, I have only had it for a few weeks now but love it. I'm only running a 100 watts so I haven't experienced any overheating as some have. I live in a somewhat restricted area so this antenna works great for my situation. You should give it a try. |
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| AE0DC |
Rating:     |
2017-09-13 | |
| Wont handle power |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| This is an update to my last review (They still have great customer service) After installing the new antenna, it had the same issue. After some more trouble shooting, the CHA250B antenna wont handle more then 75 watts in a continuous mode, like psk31, FT8, JT65, rtty, etc.. It seems to heat up, and then the swr runs away. Cool it down (10 minutes) and its fine again. Threw a wire up with no other changes, no issues. It is the antenna. Works great for other uses like ssb. |
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| N5VX |
Rating:    |
2017-05-15 | |
| Not thrilled |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| 3 is probably too high, but I have made lots of contacts when mother nature is being very cooperative. I purchased the antenna for very limited space and for that, it's ok. It's not very resistant to Oklahoma winds. I call it my pretzel on a stick. I have a friend who has one too. His is bent worse than mine. Yes, we are both using guys. Just don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed. There are no miracle antennas. |
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| N2CVS |
Rating:      |
2017-05-04 | |
| keeps on working |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I forgot to say that it over heated on 80 meters using JT9 at 100 watts.
Thats 50 seconds over 120 seconds or 43 % duty cycle.
N2CVS larry
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Earlier 5-star review posted by N2CVS on 2016-01-18
Like everything this is a compromise.
I've used it on 160 meters to 10 meters on JT65.
On 160 meters I only use 10 watts and the SWR is 5.
Since it's not specified to be used on 160 meters
this is a very welcome surprise.
It is inefficient doing this but it works.
Continuous key down on lower bands at 100 Watts caused the SWR to rise.
After a few minutes of cooling it recovered.
So I don't do this.
A cushcraft R5 is much better on 20 meters.
it can make it from NH to Australia.
The CHA-250BX could not make it from NH to Australia.
On the other hand the R5 doesn't work on 160 to 30 meters.
This antenna is fairly inexpensive used.
I would certainly buy this antenna again used at the price I paid.
It is very handy, even if it is compromise.
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| KG5QHX |
Rating:      |
2017-01-21 | |
| A great antenna that works really well. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I was quite amazed as to how well it works. SWR is 1.5 or less. SWR tends to be 1.1 in the phone bands too. It is easy to put it together and it isn't too heavy or unwieldy to handle either. I used a GAP tilting antenna mount so I can lower it when the weather predicts some bad thunderstorms coming through the area. But otherwise it stays up all the time. |
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