Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Antenex Phantom VHF, Unity Gain, NMO Mobile Antenna - Black

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

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Antenex Phantom VHF, Unity Gain, NMO Mobile Antenna - Black
Reviews: 3MSRP: 72
Description:
Technical Data - Product Features & Information

142-174 MHz
Gain: Unity
Frequency Range: 142-164 MHz
VSWR: <1.5:1 850 kHz
<2.0:1 1.5 MHz
Maximum Power: 60 watts
Bandwidth: 1.5 MHz
Impedance: 50 ohms
Height: 3 1/2” / 2 3/4”
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.antenex.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0033.7
KD8NFT Rating: 2011-04-02
Good Antenna Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
It works well. I have it tuned to 146.500 and it works with 2:1 SWR at 145.500 to 147.00
KE4RWS Rating: 2008-04-28
Agree with first User Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this antenna some years ago to try out. I liked that it was only a few inches tall but wanted to see how well it would perform when compared to a standard 18-19" vertical 1/4-wave antenna.

During precise comparison tests I discovered the phantom performed every bit as good as the standard 1/4-wave. However, the bandwidth was a serious issue. That is, the phantom would only cover about 250 KHz up or down from the tuned frequency. This means that it wouldn't cover the entire 144-148 2-meter amateur band without constant retuning, which is a real bummer.

I tested my phantom via APRS on 144.390 MHz where a single channel was all that was needed. In that capacity the VHF phantom performed excellent.

I don't recommend it for full 2-meter coverage though.
K8GLD Rating: 2008-04-27
Marginal at best, but it is what it is! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Overall design is excellent for someone searching for a covert style antenna to run "slick-top", but stick with the standard Motorola/MaxRad/Antenex 1/4 wave whip style antennas. First off, the SWR is terrible on this antenna. Tuned at 146.500 MHz. to allow for 145-148MHz. repeater use the SWR was 2:1 at 145.000 it was 3:1 + and the same at 147.995MHz. Receive sensitivity is a whole other ball game. I could barely hear a repeater less than 15 miles away from a 900 plus foot high location. Swapped with the standard 1/4 wave antennas and what a difference. The antenna was installed EXACTLY according to manufactures specifications, ground plane and all, but for ham radio use, stick with the standard Motorola/MaxRad/Antenex 1/4 wave antennas, for the price you can't beat them.