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Reviews For: Jetstream JTB-1 VHF/UHF Vertical

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

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Review Summary For : Jetstream JTB-1 VHF/UHF Vertical
Reviews: 26MSRP: 84.95
Description:
* 144-148Mhz 440-450Mhz
* 8.3 db gain on 144-148 Mhz
* 11.7 db gain on 440-450 Mhz
* Connector: SO239
* Impedance: 50 ohms
* Length 208"
* Mast size: 1.5-2 inch
* Max power: 200 watts, sum of both bands
* Max wind rating: 90 MPH
* Construction: Fiberglass
* 3 piece construction
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.jetstream-usa.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00263.7
KI4QPU Rating: 2009-10-19
"The Best" Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I relocated to a different end of the county and could not hit a repeater I used to hit. After using for two weeks now I can hit that repeater and many new ones. This antenna has opened up 25 new repeaters I could not hear before. Don't think you will have the same results just by buying, but it has worked as advertised for me. The greatest difference was a repeater I couldn't hear to full scale. Big difference. Great antenna, would buy again!
AI4ZI Rating: 2009-06-18
Great value Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I rate it a 5, as it is 2 to 3 S-units stronger on 2 meters than the Radio Shack discone I'd been using. I can hear many new repeaters including one 145 miles away. It is mounted at 25 feet above ground. I have no other experience with 2 meter verticals to reference.

Great design, fit and finish. Waterproof and rugged. It uses threaded couplers between the sections, with an o-ring at where they meet. Don't over tighten as the o-ring will squish out and you'll lose the water proofing. For added insurance, I did tape up the the PL-259 connection since there is a very slight chance of water entering through the bolt that attaches the antenna base to the mounting bracket.

Also, great customer support from K1CRA and the U.S. distributor. The first one had been damaged in shipping because of insufficient bubble wrap, the mounting brackets had broken loose and scratched two of the three sections in many places. There also was a defect with one of the epoxy joints. With K1CRA arranging it, distributor shipped replacement directly in less than 5 days, and K1CRA had bad one picked up and paid for return shipping.
KY2K Rating: 2009-02-24
OK on 2 meters, not so good on 70 cm Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I am currently using a Tram 1480 dual band antenna. This was my second VHF/UHF antenna. I originally started with a copper J-pole.

I bought the Jetstream JTB-1 to replace an Opek UVS-300 which was hit by lightning. The UVS-300 was a great antenna and I may be able to repair it. The Jetstream and Opek are approximately the same size, and both have the same advertised gain figures.

The construction of the Jetstream JTB-1 is more robust when compared to the Opek. That is where the comparison ends. In tests made from my QTH, the Jetstream is one (1) S unit better than my current Tram 1480 on 2 meters. It is two (2) S units LESS than the Tram 1480 on 70 cm. The Opek was two (2) S units better than the Tram 1480 on 2 meters and at least two (2) S units better on 70 cm.

I have no idea why the Jetstream does not perform better than my Tram on 70 cm. It is twice the size, so that means it should be twice as good, right? Well, we all know it doesn't work that way, but I did expect more. I expected the same performance as my Opek UVS-300, but with better construction.

You won't be disappointed with the construction, it appears very sturdy, but I wouldn't recommend it if you are going to spend any time on 70 cm. I had mine up for one day and took it down. This is just my experience.

KC8ADU Rating: 2009-02-17
ok on 2m-useless on 70cm local Time Owned: more than 12 months.
this antenna works well on 2m.
must have an odd pattern on 70cm as its useless for local use(cross band repeater).
gets less than a mile coverage on 70cm.
r&l is trying to get the plots from their mfr.
still waiting.....
KJ4AQV Rating: 2008-12-16
boom into repeaters 100 miles away Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This antenna sells its self. the only thing is puting it together it is time consuming but it is worth it it will do what it says.kj4aqv
KC9MLL Rating: 2008-11-16
BOOM BABY! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After doing alot of shopping, I found this antenna do be the best bang for my buck.
At less than $100.00 shipping included, it was a great savings.
The Gain speaks for it's self!
8.3 db gain on 144-148 Mhz
11.7 db gain on 440-450 Mhz
As for performance, WOW! I have it mounted at 70', and it is GREAT!! I am hitting repeaters over 65 miles away, at full quieting! Very low SWR. It works GREAT on both VHF and UHF
I never knew I could use so many repeaters!!
It also performs great on Simplex, but at 70' it better.
There might be better antennas out there, but none can compare with the Complete package of PRICE + PERFORMANCE = One great antenna!
awsome job Jetstream!
N9LBW Rating: 2008-11-10
Excellent Antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this antenna for over a year now and it still works great, even after Huuricane force winds at 81MPH.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N9LBW on 2008-03-19

I have had a couple of Diamond X510 antennae and the Jetstream JBT-1 works just as good if not better than the Diamond at much less cost
W5FRG Rating: 2008-11-03
good and bad Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This antenna works great on 2M, but on 440 it's a dummy load -- very disappointing.
AE1Y Rating: 2008-10-24
Good when it works! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I’ve had this antenna for over 2 years now and have finally given up on it. I’ve replaced it with the Diamond unit that it copies the 510. I will review the Diamond after I’ve had it a while. As for the Jetstream I replaced the upper capacitors twice and the lower one once. It took me 3 months to get the capacitor spec’s from Jetstream. Now the SWR is bad again so I’m assuming the problem is the same as the three times before as I’ve checked the coax and its fine. Each time I replaced the capacitors the SWR came back to normal. I will give this antenna credit when it was working it worked very well. Much better than my X-50. I would expect so as the X-50 is less than half the length. This antenna is going in the spare parts bin and the Diamond unit of the same specs is going in its place. The Diamond was twice the money and I guess I’ll see if it’s worth it. I’ll let you know.
KE4EX Rating: 2008-10-17
WOW Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Jetstream, you have a winner....
I replaced my Ringo Ranger II a while back with this little jewell. Same Mast, same heigth. I have noticed a least a 3 to 4 s units on receive.
I am also working repeaters I couldn't before.
SWR-low, very nice. Putting it together was a snap. No tuning required.
Then I ask myself, why did I wait so long.
73