Best Mobile Antenna for Ham, GMRS and MURS Radios | Comet CA2x4SR Antenna Review

[@mstrickk1]

This is the kind of antenna review I like, thank you.

[@KempOutside]

Glad you liked it!

[@MarkDecamps]

I wouldn't trust that meter.

[@stahpit1971]

what would you suggest using?

[@c.j.deyoungiii2704]

Meter gets great reviews by ham radio operators. Why would you not trust it?

[@RLPnKY]

Thank you for testing all of those frequencies, which is exactly what I've been looking for. While a live real-world test of this antenna for distance would also be advantageous, the low SWR test helps tremendously. There are a lot of reviews available for this model, but your test helped me to decide on this one - I'll have to test the distance to local repeaters myself. Thanks. KQ4AQP/WRFC951.

[@KempOutside]

Thanks for watching! Since location affects distance tests so much, the only thing I could do is a comparison between different antennas from the same location. I don't really have the equipment to set up that kind of test. All I can say is this antenna has performed very well for me on every band I use.

[@htperry]

It's called a Comet Search & Rescue. It's been around a longtime. The one on my SUV is over 15 years old.

[@KempOutside]

It’s a fantastic antenna. Thanks for watching!

[@lawdogdaddyusa1255]

I used one for years. I wish I would of had the spring. A bird strike broke . I have used it on business and ammature bands.

[@KempOutside]

The spring really makes a difference.

[@Proc3000]

Its not even meant for the 1.25m band. Surprised it gave that low of an SWR there. im looking at getting this but I'd like to see it with an analyzer like a rig expert.

[@KempOutside]

I spoke directly with the Comet guy at Hamcation and he told me it would work well on 1.25. Unfortunately I don't have the budget for a rig expert so maybe another channel can do that.

[@OblivionRatula]

Just keep in mind that a good SWR doesn't say anything about the radiation pattern. Might not have gain in useful directions, right (I'm new, but I've read quite a bit lately).

[@sleeve8651]

One antenna covering a multiplicity of Frequencies is suspicious ! And for the decoupling ring to do nothing ? Surely you jest ? You should have been testing next to a pond ! Cause something smells fishy here ! 🤔......?

[@KempOutside]

I don't know what to tell you, it works for me and a lot of other folks.

[@sleeve8651]

​@@KempOutside If it makes you feel better, I purchased one ! Have yet to mount it, so don't have a report as to how well it plays, but looking forward to just that ! Fingers crossed ! 🤞🥴

[@barryinn1778]

Thoroughly enjoyed your video. I have this same antenna and it does a great job. I have it on the top of my 4 door Ford F250 16 inches away from my Stryker A10 antenna, both are great antennas. I have 4 antennas on my truck roof. Ham, GRMS, Citizen Band and Police scanner. All work great!

[@TonyRIKKI]

Almost $150 for everything, $150 to put on a $100 radio, buy once cry once I guess

[@kingkong_1959]

did you tune Antenna for your tested?

[@frankW6NYX]

Try doing this with gmrs mobile radios at med and high power ...see what you get with those.🤔

[@jackdaniel4325]

Got HF ?

[@KempOutside]

Not yet, but soon!

[@keithd.glasgow809]

link above no longer works

[@KempOutside]

Thanks for letting me know. It looks like Amazon is out but they do have the NMO version. I’ve updated the links.

[@keithd.glasgow809]

thanks for that. I am looking for the NMO version - will check it out

[@KempOutside]

@@keithd.glasgow809 I added a link for the nmo version

[@TwitchRadio]

I've used this antenna for about 10 years now... And is hands down my favorite... Got one on my man shed, the car, and one I use when camping (base camp antenna on push up)... Anyways, just seeing what others think about it lol

[@omarviktoriyamosquera2023]

Why not

[@hunterusa4039]

Great video. I'm a fairly new ham/GMRS. I have a tower for GMRS/repeater that I built that goes out great several miles and sounds very clear, but I can't seem to call back in. I suspect I either need a taller tower or better mobile antenna or perhaps both. How are you rigging this antenna for GMRS? Did you have to cut a custom length for the GMRS channels or do they sell a separate length for this? I like the versatility of this antenna and the high gain for GMRS is what I am after as I suspect that will allow me to connect back to my tower better. All I'm getting is the roger beep when I call in and I've tried multiple HT and even a 25 watt mobile base so I'm convinced it's not a power issue but an antenna issue but I'm open to ideas. I looked it up and it's claiming 6db on the 430 but does this hold into the GMRS frequencies as well in 467.xxx etc. I'm using moblie antennas right now that claim a 2.5 to 3.0 gain that I got of amz. Thank you

[@andycarmony5017]

I also have the CA2x4SR, one of the best mobile multi-band antenna I've came across. I searched forever for some sort of spring to use as I have it on my Jeep. Did not know about the CA-SPR, that is awesome, just ordered one. Much thanks for video.

[@KempOutside]

Glad to help!

[@johncseward]

Thanks for the video! KI5VOY 73

[@KempOutside]

Thanks for watching! 73 KB8WPD

[@halledwardb]

Hey, pretty good review! This is a nice antenna. I'll add one to my CSB790a. Not quite as much gain if your on flat ground on 2m, but very nice. I'm sure it will make sense for a ton of folks.

[@peterkunka2694]

Solid review and can see it's potential across multiple radio bands. For my use as a traveling RV'er, I use the short Comet B-10 antenna for simplex (and for everyday repeater use while at home in Phoenix, AZ) which is a great choice because of it's small 12" height (won't blow over or smack anything, and fits in the garage). While at camp, I like the Diamond NR770HNMO for dual-band Ham use. Now, this Comet (alphabet soup name antenna lol) seems to do really well into the GMRS range (I'm Ham and GMRS licensed, so that is very useful). Thanks for the review and I'll see if I need to start using this antenna while camping with Ham and GMRS family/friends. Cheers! Pete in Arizona - KI7LIL / WRXY843

[@robertmeyer4744]

I have the same antenna in a NMO mount. same great tune. I use GMRS/MURS and 2meter/70 Cm on it. works super. takes 50 watts GMRS no problem. even have a B-tech UHF amp. 30 to 40 watts and works great. I use with the UV-5G I have. smaller one not the plus. that one has SMA F on HT. only UV-5 type like that. I get super range GMRS and MURS on it. never tried 1.25 meters yet. I only have 1 HT that is tri band. never tried it on that antenna. 73's

[@BillyInvestigations]

Hello, I just ordered one of these antennas & magnetic mounts for my Jeep Cherokee, I love Comet Antennas. I run them on my base station for GMRS & actually didn't know they made one for your vehicle thanks for the video from WRPZ907 ORANGEBURG SC

[@stevehildreth1934]

I'm running this antenna, NMO mount on a Comet mag mount, on my Toyota Tacoma. I did add the spring option. Works just fine. Oh, by the way, it has left marks on the roof... KK7GXQ

[@eem3iii]

What patch cable are you using for SMA to PL259 to connect your HTs to the SWR meter?

[@repiv59]

I have this antenna on all my mobile installations. I have both Amatuer and GMRS liscence. This is a great antenna as shown in the video. I have traveled most of the country with it and it works great on all the bands and all conditions. Plus the fold down hinge works great when I have to park in the airport garage.

[@clintcornett79]

What about the Carwash ? Should you just take antenna off the vehicle or just fold over ?

[@repiv59]

@@clintcornett79 I do not go through car wash with mobile antenna of any kind. If I would go through car wash I would remove the antenna from the NMO base.

[@TheTdub]

You lost me after you said you already have one. Then why review what you know it can do?

[@MUDNUT460]

That's what a review is 😂

[@KempOutside]

Perhaps other people want to know what I know?

[@bobcatskrieman3384]

That’s funny you said cookie sheet. I do the same with my same antenna and mag mount. Very flexible on the frequencies.

[@c.j.deyoungiii2704]

Thanks for the review and tests. Someone else tested the comet on 220 and it got a good SWR but when they transmitted to a repeater the SWR went up significantly.

[@357Shakey]

I have been using this antenna for 10+ years on both a Comet & Diamond trunk lip mount. I have as number of mobile antennas, and here’s what I say about this one: I have antennas that work better on the ham bands but are average outside the bands. This one is good for the ham bands and great as a scanner antenna. No need to use anything else!

[@Suffocation03]

how is that antenna on GMRS Repeaters and 2 m repeaters

[@RoyWithObesity]

Nice Antenna! For radios, having a good Antenna is very important!

[@KempOutside]

It sure is!

[@mitchh6702]

Great review! Very wide banded and man you have lots of radios!

[@terryaschanjr.8003]

What antenna do you recommend for my 10 meter Ham Radio, for both mobile use, and what about a base antenna recommendation?

[@wmatay1]

I might give it a try with my Kenwood mobile gmrs radio. Thank you . WRPW422. 73

[@KempOutside]

I think you will be pleased with it. Thanks for watching!

[@BillyInvestigations]

Works great on GMRS Simplex but WILL NOT WORK ON REPEATER CHANNELS

[@josemanuel2244]

Is this true, why?

[@KempOutside]

I haven’t had any trouble with this antenna either simplex or on repeaters. Are you sure you were in range or the radio was programmed correctly? Maybe the repeater you were trying to use was offline?

[@randykitchleburger2780]

No that's absolutely untrue lol

[@BillyInvestigations]

@KempOutside I was on Simplex antenna was perfect SWR but on all my repeater channels SWR was sky high around a 3.5 SWR 🤷 so I contacted the company they sent me a 2nd antenna & it was the same way

[@randykitchleburger2780]

@@BillyInvestigations It's something else in your setup. I get 1:1.01SWR on simplex

[@josemanuel2244]

Im new in this subject , what you recommend between this magnet base vs lip mount?

[@KempOutside]

It depends on the application. I run a lip mount permanently because I have clearance issues on my van. But for those who want to be able to remove their antenna quickly, the mag mount is great.

[@k2cjbradio]

Excellent antenna! Thanks for the test!

[@bikerush1]

Gmrs and frs ...mrs.vhf uhf....not hf

[@LittleHouseofBeans]

all over my head, but I know who to call when I want my CB radio installed in the truck !

[@KempOutside]

That’s a big 10-4 good buddy!

[@LittleHouseofBeans]

@@KempOutside see, now i understand THAT. 10-10 on the side!

[@GregMckenzie-j6m]

what's the height of the antenna

[@douglofreddo7886]

Nice video. Subbed. 73 from KJ4ALC

[@KempOutside]

Thanks for the sub! 73 KB8WPD

[@luisdeleon4546]

I prefer the Comet SBB 5 with NMO mount on a 5" mag mount. It's a solid single piece element that's tough and very capable throughout the frequency ranges you mentioned. When I lived and worked in the city I had to park in parking garages. I found the SBB-1 perfect for that. I prefer single piece elements on my mobile antennas. They work, fewer parts to adjust, and nothing breaks or falls out or off.

[@OblivionRatula]

I just got the SBB 5 NMO last week as my first mobile ham antenna and last night I was participating in a net 30 miles away while mobile with a UV-B5. REALLY amazing antenna.

[@mandytuning]

Sbb5 is awesome. I have k400 trunk lip mount and get 1.15swr at 2m ,1.3swr at 70cm, 1.8swr at 462, ,2.0swr at 467. Gonna order this 2x4snmo to compare , especially the gmrs band

[@christianknight2905]

Great antenna, have had it for almost 7 years. Works great on a fender mount and can work satelittes too.

[@KempOutside]

Haven’t tried satellites yet. Need to do that!

[@unitedstatesirie7431]

When the corrupt politicians shut off the cellphone towers I strongly recommend using the YAESU FT-60R handheld dual band radios. These have great performance and good reviews.

[@SIGINT007]

Yer tinfoil hat is on a little too tight

[@RE-ec7iz]

Whoa thinking too deep in to things man , not healthy

[@grigorirasputin5020]

​@@RE-ec7iz Actually, what he suggests is not very far fetched at all. As far as the radio, I and members of my family have had several FT-60's. They all were okay at first but after a couple or three years of light to medium use, they seemed to deteriorate seriously on xmit and rcv, even when using new batteries. Yaesu had a great design, especially the bullet proof exterior but the circuitry seems to be made up of weak components.

[@unitedstatesirie7431]

@@grigorirasputin5020 your YAESU FT-60R radios might be damaged if you are installing the wrong type of AA batteries into them. The other problem happens when the rechargeable batteries stop holding proper charge.

[@unitedstatesirie7431]

@@RE-ec7iz are you thinking too deep wearing a seat belt in your vehicle while driving ?

[@major__kong]

I have this antenna but don't use it much. Not that I don't want to. I have an aluminum body F150, and the aluminum is too thin on the roof to keep this antenna from tin canning the roof under a wind load like driving. I doubt this is a problem for steel bodies. If you don't mind taking the headliner out on the aluminum vehicles, the solution is to install a doubler. Or you can try a fender mount. But on my f150 the only fender mount I could find that bolts into structure not skin on the hood tilts this antenna too far forward and would create problems under a wind load. So I only use this antenna when I'm not driving. But it works great.

[@christianknight2905]

Check out the comet rs730 lip mount. It also front back and side to adjust...works great!

[@OblivionRatula]

I am using the FO3ANTNCG mount on a 2016 and it works great. For extra protection, I put a little 3M protective tape on the hood and fender, but it's solid at Interstate speeds. My minor complaint is I'd like it up at the bolt closest to the windshield, but it doesn't match the curve of the hood there, so it's more above the wheel well. Using it with a SBB-5, which, due to the black paint, fades pretty quickly from view, so the placement is fine, if not ideal.

[@tsc574]

Outstanding video and found my solution to HOA restrictions in my area.

[@KempOutside]

Thanks for watching! I think it will work well for you!

[@troyd.521]

Have you done any real talk tests yet to see how it sounds?

[@KempOutside]

I have used it both simplex and with repeaters on 2m and 70cm ham bands. I’ve also used it with my GMRS and MURS handhelds for vehicle to vehicle coms. This gave us a big range increase over stock antennas inside the vehicles. It also gets use as my APRS antenna. My rate of reception by digipeaters doubled when I upgraded to this antenna from a Nagoya mag mount.

[@ronaldcartwright4781]

Two paws up it passed the sniff test! 😊

[@KempOutside]

Ellie and Tiller agree!

[@briannagorman3119]

Thanks Kevin for the useful information

[@KempOutside]

Thanks for watching!

[@nickl3872]

Thank you.. i love mine

[@KempOutside]

Great to hear!

[@unclassified63]

Cant find this in the uk unfortuanatly

[@KempOutside]

Sad to hear that. Amazon won’t ship it?

[@unclassified63]

@@KempOutside i would have to order one from the usa and that would be costly as we dont sell that antenna,i will have a look at something similar.

[@c.j.deyoungiii2704]

Do you have a Griffon?

[@KempOutside]

Yes we do! Her name is Ellie.

[@c.j.deyoungiii2704]

@@KempOutside that’s really cool! They are awesome buddies! my parents just put their 12 year old down. His name was Gunny. I called him Muppet. He was awesome!

[@KempOutside]

@@c.j.deyoungiii2704 she’s one of the best dogs I’ve ever had. She’s snoring on my lap while I type this. She has an independent streak but only because she knows she can get away with it. Sorry to hear about Gunny.

[@jamesvw769]

Ok antenna but your mounting location is sub par with very poor performance to your left.