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Reviews For: M2 2m12

Category: Antennas: VHF/UHF+ Directional (Yagi, quad, etc.)

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Review Summary For : M2 2m12
Reviews: 14MSRP: 165.00
Description:
Model 2M12 Frequency range 144 to 148 MHz Gain 12.8 dBd
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.m2inc.com/products/vhf/2m/2m12.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
12144.4
WA2ZPX Rating: 2022-12-05
I expected better Quality Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased this antenna just before COVID hit and started to put it together before the Winter. As I started to put it together I found that the elements were not in line on the Boom because all of the 5 sections of Boom didn't line up with the pre-drilled holes. 2 sections were off. I got fed up and decided to hold off on putting it together until now.

The elements get mounted through the boom and are held in place by clips that you have to slide on each side of the element. You have to measure each side of the element for proper spacing while you are attempting to install these clips. What a PITA!. The instructions come with element measurements. It would have been nice to include measurements from one side of the element after the button insert that goes in the boom. After 4 elements, my hands are sore.

The RG6 Coax matching section gets connected with F connectors. Not what I would call state of the art. Probably done this way to save money. I somehow wonder how that is going to make the 2.5 KW power rating.
The antenna now sells for $389 to $519 depending where you purchase it from.

So, far this has been a very frustrating experience. I did contact M2 when I first ran into issues. They did offer to send me a new boom. I suggested that they might want to follow the Cushcraft simple method of mounting the elements and was told it was done this way for cost saving measures.

I will write another review if I ever finish putting this antenna together, and get to try it out. The upside is, those that I have spoken with say it performs well.

12/5/2022 update... The antenna has been installed and is up in the air. After the PIA construction, I have to say, it performs very well. It has a flat SWR across the band. I have been using it on SSB, FT8, and MSK144 and have have made a number of Meteor Scatter contacts. The antenna beamwidth is fairly sharp. Like everything else, the price continues to climb.
W0LD Rating: 2022-09-21
Excellent medium gain 2 meter yagi. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This antenna is a great performer! I use it for weak signal 2 meter work. The construction was good, no missing parts, easy to assemble and it has a low SWR. If you are looking for a good performing, medium gain yagi for 2 meters this is a good choice. One one negative...the M2 prices are a bit out of line.
K7BMG Rating: 2013-09-23
Great Antenna BUT!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The 2M12 antennas are great, I like the quality of the build and design, its strong and simple to assemble. (For me anyway) Quality components, and I had no alignment issues as stated in previous reviews.
Service is top notch. Sales personnel is very helpful and knowledgeable on the phone.

However I have had a couple of issues.
On my first 2M12 purchase, the drivers N connector was broken, obviously torqued to tight on the assembly line and I was missing a few button insulators for the elements. On the Friday of memorial weekend 2013 they overnighted my missing and replacement parts for a Saturday delivery without a complaint. That's great service IMO.

However it seems M2 has serious issues with making sure all the parts are included.
My second order was for another 2M12 antenna, phasing cables, Power divider and boom.

The three piece boom came with no nuts and bolts to put it together.

The mast to boom plate kit only had two of the four required U-bolts, shoes, washers and nuts.
The bag that was to hold all these parts was open no staple or sealing attempt made.

The packaging was so tight and clean there were no holes for these parts to get out and lost during shipping. I have to say the packaging is above board.

Fortunately the second 2M12 antenna kit was complete. Well I have not assembled this one as of this review but I did inventory the small parts and they are all there.

I think the products are of good quality.

But my recommendation is!
Buy there products but plan on not being able to install it the day it arrives without needing to get some replacement parts shipped or be making a list and heading to the hardware store.

So the actual antennas and service I rate highly! The continued missing parts situation I give a poor rating. My score a 3 overall.
I knock two points off because missing parts is just careless and to simple a task not to get right every time.
W9WZJ Rating: 2013-03-19
Still decent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Thought I better update my old review. I have owned these antennas over a decade. Down to two, mounted horizontally on a single mast stacked at 11' (see my QRZ pic). Flat SWR. I have only had them ice up twice in their lifetimes. I use M2 phasing lines and a home brew power divider.
They continue to perform well, as I work minimal stations to 300 miles, larger stations to 450 miles, and almost 500 miles on CW, mounted at 24' and 35' - on my killer chimney mount, with a 200 watt TE brick and 7/8" Heliax.
I recommend them still, to this day. Even so, the more aluminum you can get up, the better, and it works on TX and RX. If I could do it all over again, I'd probably have a pair of 18XXXs.
N8DXB Rating: 2013-02-11
Well built and works great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using M2 antennas for a many years, and these outperform and last longer than all other antennas I have used in 34 years. I have one mounted vertical and another one mounted horizontal, they do not need any additional support, they have a low SWR, and perform great.
N4PPG Rating: 2013-01-31
excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had mine for about 18 months now and am pleased. It doesn't require any external supports, stays true and after assembling it (no issues at all), tuned right up to 1:1 swr... very pleased. Ive even knocked the pole over once with the tractor and ordered a few more elements and put it back up just as brand new... Fine product... runs about $240 currently. A good solid 3 db better than the crushcraft a148-10 i also own as guessed at/measured from some locoregional beacons. would buy it again....73
HCLAGG Rating: 2009-11-13
Poor QC Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am a fan of M2 products, as I have a 6M7JHV and 6M5X, and they have performed very well.

I took delivery of my 2M12 today at the local hamfest, and raced home to assemble it.
Out of the 8 holes that screw the boom sections together, only 2 of them aligned. The 6 others had to be filed out. Some of the holes were misaligned by 1/8". Quite sloppy.
This is disappointing for an M2 product.

My mate, who also bought a 2M12 today as well, discovered that his kit did not include the locknuts. Doesn't anyone check before final packing?

I remember my JHV (purchased 2000) did not have any issues at all, so this indicates that quality control has slipped at M2 since.

There seems little point contacting M2 about this, because there is no QC stamp, no batch code or anything to identify those accountable.
In other words, there is no quality control.
I feel that M2 are resting on their laurels, but should not get complacent. If you quality slides too much, then it will be hard to regain lost ground.

If there were some QC stamp to identify those responsible, then they could be educated and/or procedures improved, but that aint the case.

I hope that the performance is better than the manufacturing quality.
WE8Q Rating: 2009-11-07
Happy Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Replaced a Cushcraft 13B2 with this antenna when I put up my new tower. This antenna was easy to assemble and it is very light weight. Excellent performance and flat SWR. Quality construction. I like it!
K7ULS Rating: 2009-08-12
Great antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm able to work Colorado from a local mountain top S5 at 422 miles with a Mirage B-320-G 240 watts. This same setup afforded me my first EME qso with IK1UWL in Italy at moonrise running portable.
K5YC Rating: 2008-02-03
Good antenna Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
FOrmally used a old cushcraft antenna--very few
contacts. Didn't like it. Wife bought me an M2
and WOW! at the difference. Now hear and work
many more stations. Well built. Has stood up to
high winds here. Take your time to assemble and
check everything. Use good coax and you can enjoy 2 meter weak signal work.

Jim K5YC