2:19 That's what she said. Sorry, couldn't resist. Been licensed for almost 20 years but never properly installed a mobile. This antenna looks like it has potential, possibly some kind of top-of-bedrail positioning near the tailgate.
Eric - it would be great if you can get a field strength meter, and do some testing to see what the field strength readings are with this vs the other antennas you have. I'd love to see what readings it shows vs the others.
Hi Eric, you points are very valid! I have a SCAN-III that I use with my scanners when mobile. Testing it against a high gain and quarter wave antenna I am amazed, you get far less mobile flutter and the audio is clearer. Great antenna and I enjoy your videos. 73 VK1MAC
Can you sacrifice one, cut the casing off and see how it's constructed inside? Please. I've got a sneaky suspicion your looking at a 2 1/2 loop coiled 10" antenna we used to make out of coat hangers. Same exact specs. Open one and solve the mystery. I can't afford it or I'd do it! Thanks. Great video. Jpol.
I am liking the compact size of the antenna. And after doing some minor online research, it appears to be well used & liked too. Even as a mini base station antenna. I am considering its use, mag mounted on top of an ammo can Go-Box! Its small enough to store inside, and some models come in the 2M/220/440 to match my mini mobile rig.
Have you done the video on the different mag mounts? About to pull the trigger on an Anytone triband radio and this antenna seems to be a good antenna to pair with that radio. Is it worth spending the extra $$$ on the magmount?
How’s the use going with this antenna KJ4YZI? Maybe Dr Jack can come to the Treasure Coast Hamfest to talk about his product line. I’m very interested in a couple of his products.
An un-named ham site has a flame war thread about this design. I personally own the dual band version, my experience is the vswr is low and the performance is very acceptable.
Just can't see how it can perform that well, however, we will see in your tests! EDIT: I always give something a fair chance to perform. Even the wife :-)) We'll leave my performance out of this 8-I
NORMALLY..... I find no fault with any of your videos. But, without transmission tests, this is useless. I can mount a dummy load ANYWHERE, and get a great swr. You've got to compare this, in transmission, against some common reference antenna, or it proves nothing.
I have a 1974 jeep cj5 and need to put a antenna on the jeep body. the jeep has a fiberglass hood and soft top. on the passengers side of the jeep it has the historical 102 inch whip but on the driverside I would like this antenna mounted. the location of the antenna I would like to be near the rear left corner of the jeep mounted on a fixed nmo base . any recommendation would be appreciated.
Hi Scott, Some have found adequate capacitive coupling to vehicle metal counterpoise with such type of clamp-on mounts. Mounting near a top corner of the vehicle is generally best. Other types of mounts that work well include: Magnet mounts that are low profile typically do best; the LAIRD GB8PI is a good option. L-Bracket (NMO) mounts with screws; a variety of types are available including adjustable style. Thru-hole NMO mounts. [For mounts where holes are involved, it is often helpful to start with a magnet mount to get a general idea of SWR at approximate location before proceeding; magnet mounts provide capacitive coupling even to aluminum roofs.]
Good question, Lance. The answer is: YES, this COMPACtenna model SCAN-III covers the 2 meter & 440 Ham Bands, AND does an Exceptional job on GMRS: (from the specification sheet) - - - Also superb for Transmit/Receive on MURS (151-155 MHz) and GMRS (462-467 MHz) as well as Ham Radio 2 Meter/440 MHz Bands (V)SWR: nominal
Hello Adam, and thank you for your interest. There are a variety of types of mounts that the COMPACtenna SCAN-III has been used on with success. Please see the INSTALLS page of COMPACtenna.com : compactenna.com/installations/ Have a Great Summer! Dr. Jack, N8NDL
Through-Hole mounts have been found to work optimally more consistently than many other types. This style of mount commonly provides good juxtaposition between center and shield lead connections to antenna and ground plane counterpoise, which is particularly important with VHF/UHF, and they don't have the challenge of adequate capacitive coupling to ground plane counterpoise that some other style mounts can have, particularly at HF frequencies. L-Bracket & Adjustable attached-to-vehicle-metal with screws type mounts are also favorites by many for similar reasons. As can be seen by the formulas, etc. on my website, magnet mount capacitive coupling is often quite good at VHF/UHF and some HF frequencies. For VHF/UHF, 'flatter style' magnet mounts may work best, especially at UHF frequencies. Some report that lip-style mounts that are made with increased surface area metal (plate structure) work better; this is understandable in that such can provide increased capacitive coupling to vehicle sheet metal.
Any "antenna" that needs 2 minutes of idle time after 1 minute of transmission is completely, utterly useless. This "antenna" is useful for listening, and nothing else imho. Waste of money. 73 de LB9BG.
Hi Knut. Model 2M/440+ reviewed in QST August, 2022 (page 49-50) as seen on COMPACtenna website home page: Maximum Power Rating: 100 Watts 2 Meter Band; 75 Watts 440 Band [Maximum Duty Cycle at max. power rating: Maximum total transmit time of 1 minute in any 2 minute period. Maximum Ambient temperature rating 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Hotter conditions such as higher ambient temperature, sun exposure, lesser air flow, etc. decrease duty cycle.]
I haven't been very active...watching your videos has made me dust off my equipment and get back on.
Great solution to my NYC/GMRS apartment antenna not reaching the local repeaters problem.....Thanks .
2:19 That's what she said.
Sorry, couldn't resist. Been licensed for almost 20 years but never properly installed a mobile. This antenna looks like it has potential, possibly some kind of top-of-bedrail positioning near the tailgate.
Eric - it would be great if you can get a field strength meter, and do some testing to see what the field strength readings are with this vs the other antennas you have. I'd love to see what readings it shows vs the others.
Welcome back Eric
Thanks Again For Streaming
I put one of these COMPACtenna SCAN-III antenna on my Tesla Model 3 with Mag mount on the trunk and it is great.. Thanks Eric
Thank you Danny! It would be great to see a photo of your Tesla with the COMPACtenna on it. Very cool!
Hi Eric, you points are very valid! I have a SCAN-III that I use with my scanners when mobile. Testing it against a high gain and quarter wave antenna I am amazed, you get far less mobile flutter and the audio is clearer. Great antenna and I enjoy your videos. 73 VK1MAC
Hi, when you said, “scanner III” is it’s because this antenna is just for scanner? Can not use with transmitter ??
Can you sacrifice one, cut the casing off and see how it's constructed inside? Please. I've got a sneaky suspicion your looking at a 2 1/2 loop coiled 10" antenna we used to make out of coat hangers. Same exact specs. Open one and solve the mystery. I can't afford it or I'd do it! Thanks. Great video. Jpol.
Thanks Eric. Great recommendation for Apartment and Condo Dwellers on the Beach with stringent association rules...
I have the Diamond K400S-NMO Lip mount on my truck lid with a different antenna. Taste great , less filling!
Sounds like the perfect antenna for my semi.
Hello from Spain! Could you give me a link where to buy this antenna? It's what I really need and I hope it solves a lot of problems for me. Thank you
I am liking the compact size of the antenna. And after doing some minor online research, it appears to be well used & liked too. Even as a mini base station antenna.
I am considering its use, mag mounted on top of an ammo can Go-Box! Its small enough to store inside, and some models come in the 2M/220/440 to match my mini mobile rig.
Have you done the video on the different mag mounts? About to pull the trigger on an Anytone triband radio and this antenna seems to be a good antenna to pair with that radio. Is it worth spending the extra $$$ on the magmount?
Is the Compactenna substantially better than the cheap knock-off copies on eBay and Amazon?
I have access to a Anritsu sweep tool. I was wondering, is that analyzer good? Oh ya, awsome antenna!
Check out my upcoming follow up video they are both swept on an anritsu
Thanks, great review. Looks like a promising solution for me. 73 N8JVC.
Antenna works awesome
How’s the use going with this antenna KJ4YZI? Maybe Dr Jack can come to the Treasure Coast Hamfest to talk about his product line. I’m very interested in a couple of his products.
I have a through roof Nmo mount on my vehicle.
I may try one of these.
Ótimo vídeo trabalho gualidade total bazuka Foz do Iguaçu pr Brasil
An un-named ham site has a flame war thread about this design. I personally own the dual band version, my experience is the vswr is low and the performance is very acceptable.
Do you have to use a mag mount or can you just put it up in the corner with a body type mount?
Whats a good compact antenna for 11m? Primarily for just traveling and not distance.
Just can't see how it can perform that well, however, we will see in your tests! EDIT: I always give something a fair chance to perform. Even the wife :-)) We'll leave my performance out of this 8-I
Eric, would this work well on a mobil home roof?
NORMALLY..... I find no fault with any of your videos. But, without transmission tests, this is useless. I can mount a dummy load ANYWHERE, and get a great swr. You've got to compare this, in transmission, against some common reference antenna, or it proves nothing.
I have a 1974 jeep cj5 and need to put a antenna on the jeep body. the jeep has a fiberglass hood and soft top. on the passengers side of the jeep it has the historical 102 inch whip but on the driverside I would like this antenna mounted. the location of the antenna I would like to be near the rear left corner of the jeep mounted on a fixed nmo base . any recommendation would be appreciated.
Does this have to be on a mag mount base?
I use a hood mount NMO mount on my F-350 Diesel and work with public safety and SAR.
Thanks in advance-
why do hams use GMRS?
The gain on those type of antennas isn't that good . SWR is only on part of the equation of a good antenna.
Nice......
Looking forward to your follow up video's on this antenna.
8P6RC
Can you take the test on line?
Any idea how this does on a lip mount bracket on the corner of the hood?
KALP 7352...MY LICENSE FROM THE 70s💯😂😂😂
Can this be used with the Diamond K400S-NMO mount?
Hi Scott,
Some have found adequate capacitive coupling to vehicle metal counterpoise with such type of clamp-on mounts.
Mounting near a top corner of the vehicle is generally best.
Other types of mounts that work well include:
Magnet mounts that are low profile typically do best; the LAIRD GB8PI is a good option.
L-Bracket (NMO) mounts with screws; a variety of types are available including adjustable style.
Thru-hole NMO mounts.
[For mounts where holes are involved, it is often helpful to start with a magnet mount to get a general idea of SWR at approximate location before proceeding; magnet mounts provide capacitive coupling even to aluminum roofs.]
Im new but does this cover ham and GMRS?
Good question, Lance.
The answer is: YES, this COMPACtenna model SCAN-III covers the 2 meter & 440 Ham Bands, AND does an Exceptional job on GMRS: (from the specification sheet)
- - -
Also superb for Transmit/Receive on MURS (151-155 MHz) and GMRS (462-467 MHz)
as well as Ham Radio 2 Meter/440 MHz Bands
(V)SWR: nominal
How about lip mount? Does it need to be magmount?
Hello Adam, and thank you for your interest. There are a variety of types of mounts that the COMPACtenna SCAN-III has been used on with success. Please see the INSTALLS page of COMPACtenna.com : compactenna.com/installations/ Have a Great Summer! Dr. Jack, N8NDL
Through-Hole mounts have been found to work optimally more consistently than many other types. This style of mount commonly provides good juxtaposition between center and shield lead connections to antenna and ground plane counterpoise, which is particularly important with VHF/UHF, and they don't have the challenge of adequate capacitive coupling to ground plane counterpoise that some other style mounts can have, particularly at HF frequencies.
L-Bracket & Adjustable attached-to-vehicle-metal with screws type mounts are also favorites by many for similar reasons.
As can be seen by the formulas, etc. on my website, magnet mount capacitive coupling is often quite good at VHF/UHF and some HF frequencies. For VHF/UHF, 'flatter style' magnet mounts may work best, especially at UHF frequencies.
Some report that lip-style mounts that are made with increased surface area metal (plate structure) work better; this is understandable in that such can provide increased capacitive coupling to vehicle sheet metal.
Broadband, low gain...
To each their own....I just don't understand why someone would buy this.
Any "antenna" that needs 2 minutes of idle time after 1 minute of transmission is completely, utterly useless. This "antenna" is useful for listening, and nothing else imho. Waste of money. 73 de LB9BG.
Hi Knut.
Model 2M/440+ reviewed in QST August, 2022 (page 49-50) as seen on COMPACtenna website home page:
Maximum Power Rating: 100 Watts 2 Meter Band; 75 Watts 440 Band
[Maximum Duty Cycle at max. power rating: Maximum total transmit time of 1 minute in any 2 minute period.
Maximum Ambient temperature rating 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hotter conditions such as higher ambient temperature, sun exposure, lesser air flow, etc. decrease duty cycle.]
This whole antenna is "magic". Someone cut one open and let's see how much aluminum foil is inside.
TOM PIPPS FOAM- BATON ROUGE LOUISIANA USA HI HELLO &
I like your stuff but too wordy. Get to the point quicker or do a separate video for beginners. Thanks keep up the good work.