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Reviews For: Tram 1400 VHF Base Verticle

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

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Review Summary For : Tram 1400 VHF Base Verticle
Reviews: 8MSRP: 45.99
Description:
6db gain VHF Base Station Antenna, Aluminum 5/8 over 5/8, 136 to 174 MHz adjustable
Product is in production
More Info: http://palmettoantennas.com/index.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0084.3
KG6AOH Rating: 2018-02-08
Surprise how well it is built, yet very inexpensive. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Needed a 2m base antenna real quick, and spotted this on Amazon for CHEAP! I figured, nothing to lose so snapped it up, expecting it to be junk. Antenna arrived a couple days later. First impression was that the materials and workmanship was WAY better than expected. I was very surprised how well this antenna is built, especially for the money.

Assembled the antenna and tuned it by the instructions. Tuned perfect for the middle of the 2m band (146 MHz.). Put it up on a pole next to the shop and started tuning around. Using an antenna switch between the Tram 1400 antenna and a mobile 2m antenna on the shop, the mobile antenna was consistently 2 to 3 S-units BETTER than the 10-foot tall Tram antenna. Something wasn't right... I took the Tram down and re-checked everything. All was good, so put it back up with another cable (LMR-400). Same thing. The Tram 1400 was always 2 or 3 S-units LOWER than the unity gain mobile antenna on the shop. Oh, well, I thought... It's just a fluke.

A couple days later, it was bugging me. I know how the Tram 1400 is built, and know that stacked 5/8 waves should outperform the unity gain mobile antenna by a lot. Just for grins, I took the Tram antenna down and removed the top section and phasing coil. Then, I threaded a 3/8-24 screw into the top end, retuned it, and put it back up. Now, switching back and forth between the unity gain mobile antenna and the Tram 1400 (minus the top half), the Tram was consistently 1 to 2 S-units BETTER! Yes, making it shorter made it work even better. So now, it is just a single 5/8 wave instead of stacked 5/8 waves. This is how I plan to keep it now. Just a single 5/8 wave, but it works so much better.

Even considering it is best to use as a plain old 5/8 wave, for the price, it is still a bargain.

Tips: Tape up the joints to keep water out. Paint the black plastic parts with some non-conductive paint to make it last longer. Leave the top section and phasing coil in the bag and run it like a simple 5/8 wave ground plane antenna.
WB2UFO Rating: 2013-04-30
Works great for me Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Thia antenna has been up for over six months and works perfectly for me
JHLEWIS10 Rating: 2013-01-15
Two have broken at the base Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have one and my buddy had one. Both of them broke at the base where the set screw holds the element to the base. The fit is not real tight and the movement over time stressed the aluminum and finally cracked it. Dont waste your money.
VE1FG Rating: 2012-12-29
great antenna Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
bought one off ebay and put it togather run about 190 watts on it never gives me one lick of problem,s ve1-fg canada.
N4ZBO Rating: 2012-01-15
5/5 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
hi thee i wanted to wright this review to say this antenna is very good for the money.
i am just geting back in to the hobbie after being gone a few years. i am on a tite budiget as we all are... so after a lot of internet hunting i came up on this antenna at first i thout how good can it be for only 65.00 plus shipping so i took a chance and it realy did do what thay said it would.. with a swr or 1.7 at 147.995 and the low end of 144.00 1.2.1 not bad for a chep antenna... so if your looken to save money and not lose how it works then get one you not be sorry... 73's
W4ETR Rating: 2011-12-25
Excellent Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Easy to assemble, good construction, good coverage. Very good antenna for the price.
K5PRT Rating: 2010-05-12
Superior Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Assembled in under 15 minutes.Very low SWR and excellent coverage at 25ft to base. Excellent performance for the money. I just ordered the dual band 1480. I hope it does as well.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K5PRT on 2010-01-20

Excellent antenna for the money (bought on eBay). Went together easily and quickly and great performer. Aluminum is a plus over fiberglass. Very flat SWR curve over entire 2 meter band. Very easy to adjust and accurate to set frequency range.
WD4INS Rating: 2010-02-27
Great Antenna! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had this antenna up at a APRS Digi site for about 8 years now. No problems!