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ab7oh's avatar
ab7oh
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013

2 meter / 440 (70cm) Ground independent Antenna

The Comet SBB-5NMO dual band is a 2 meter and 440 MHz mobile antenna. It is a 1/2 wave on 2 meters providing 3 dB gain and a 2 5/8 wave on 440 MHz providing 5.5 dB gain. VSWR 1.5 : 1 or less. This antenna can handle up to 120 watts. I installed this antenna on my Motor Home because it is ground independent. It had 1.3 : 1 or less on both bands.
  • w4phj's avatar
    w4phj
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2013
    Bill.Winegard wrote:
    Ham radio something I am guessing?


    You guessed correctly !!
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jun 18, 2013
    Bill.Winegard wrote:
    Ham radio something I am guessing?


    Good Guess...Mine is a Diamond. Same basic specs.
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Jun 18, 2013
    ab7oh wrote:
    The Comet SBB-5NMO dual band is a 2 meter and 440 MHz mobile antenna. It is a 1/2 wave on 2 meters providing 3 dB gain and a 2 5/8 wave on 440 MHz providing 5.5 dB gain. VSWR 1.5 : 1 or less. This antenna can handle up to 120 watts. I installed this antenna on my Motor Home because it is ground independent. It had 1.3 : 1 or less on both bands.


    That is the equivalent to a Diamond NR-770RA (NMO mount) and NR-770HA (UHF mount) antenna which is also radialess (doesn't require a ground plane).

    While they will work as radialess, I have found that they tend to work much better for distance if you DO provide radials. Doesn't take much a couple feet of wire or even a piece of sheet metal.

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