LCARA HAM Radio: Comet CA-2x4SR NMO Antenna/Nagoya RB-50

[@starttofinishpodcasting3721]

I love the dog. Just sitting there so calm and patient

[@stevehildreth1934]

Just purchased a CA-2X4SR! It sits on top of the cab of my Tacoma. Out of the package it ran an SWR of 1.1 at 146.520! Made the 1st contact with it over 50 miles away. I am very happy! I will be looking for the spring upgrade.

[@mclovengarcia2883]

This antenna would work with gmrs?

[@TwitchRadio]

I've had this exact antenna on my car in operation for about almost 8 and 1/2 years now.. works well with my gmrs radios as well as my ham radios.. I found that this antenna does very well simplex when in the Hills where I live here in Washington State.. the only thing that I've had to keep an eye on is the insulators starting to fade in color and look a little bit old because of the UV... but it's still going and I'm happy about that.. hope I get another eight years😎✌️

[@chris8383]

Could you use Dielectric grease instead of vaseline on the antenna/base mount connection?

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

sure

[@dehartman]

That would be preferred over the vasoline.

[@mandytuning]

Use No -ox id. It promotes conductivity and prevents rust. Dieletric grease is an insulator.

[@nypigskin]

What’s the measurement from the top of the roof to the top of the fold in the antenna? If I magnet mount on my pickup roof I don’t think I will get in my garage.

[@moonchild2213]

Great antenna, I've had mine mounted to a pedistal NMO mount on my tool box in the bed of my truck for 7 years now. I've hit every bank teller drive through and fast food low access bar and it has been the strongest antenna I've seen with mobile use. Great video...73 N7EWC

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Thanks for sharing

[@cujo229]

Try testing the swr by moving mag mount in different locations on roof. On my work car Ford Taurus I have same mag mount for my dual band radio and the right rear of roof gave me the lowest swrs with better Rx and tx

[@truck57us]

Nice video. What brand and/or where can I find that spring loaded thingee to mod the antenna?

[@pastateconstablesoffice]

here you go … www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/comet-ca-spr-7648 … or … www.gigaparts.com/spring-insert-for-comet-ca-2x4-antennas.html … '73 - K3JFV

[@truck57us]

@@pastateconstablesoffice Thanks, much appreciated. Stay safe, in all aspects (from a retired LEO :) I just got the insert and it has as much spring as an I-beam, but I guess it'll bend eventually when/if needed...

[@tommybarnett3840]

thanks for the video. I had a small version of that antenna and was well satisfied with it until it got removed from my truck without my permission. My next purchase will be that antenna because I didn't know that had that version.

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Glad it helped

[@kd5dnk]

Just to add a bit this antenna is resonant on 220 with a set of 1.2/1 measured with my vna

[@autoadjuster]

No Vaseline, petroleum will corrode rubber (Seals). You should use silicone based product. Or you can use an aluminum based anti seize.

[@chris8383]

Any thoughts on using this setup with a Baofeng BF-8HP handheld with BNC to SMA adaptors to the radio?

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

should work

[@christophersmith1155]

I just bought the Comet CA-2X4SR Mobile VHF/UHF Vertical Antenna and the Comet magmount. works very well . using it here in midtown Manhattan. I simplex most of my day.

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

@CHRISTOPHER SMITH - Awesome! Did you by chance purchase the replacement coil that allows it to bend when struck? Hope you have as good use out of yours as I'm having out of mine! KY4BDP

[@christophersmith1155]

DIDNT KNOW ABOUT A COIL TILL I WATCHED YOUR VIDEO.

[@luiz79]

Sir, Thoughts on a Yaesu FTM-400XD, Comet CA-2x4SR and Nagoya RB-700N set up? I am strongly considering the 700N over the RB-50. Thank you.

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

@luiz79 - All good components. Be sure to get the NMO model for the antenna mount. These components work well for me for the past year, other than the mount you suggested. I use a magnetic mount. Thanks for watching!

[@luiz79]

@@LCARAHAMRadio I need a fixed heavy duty mount. Anything else that you recommend me look into with the above mentioned items? Thank you

[@Bamlydean]

is it ok to put lock tight on the screw that is near the bonding fixation section? Where the yellow warning sticker is

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Loctite won't hurt it.

[@christianbeaumont1907]

Great review thanks and swung my wallet! I'm going to be using it at home outside my shack and also portable on the road with IC-705. Great you shared the SWR tests. Take it easy and 73's from Amsterdam.

[@sleeve8651]

As to the use of Lock - Tight on an antenna, once it dries, it can act as an insulator, between the set screws and the antenna, making for poor connections ! If using the Lock - Tight, I would say, " sparingly ", and on threads only leaving hope the end of the Set screws can make good contact with the antenna elements ! Otherwise, do proper maintenance, by checking the tightness of the set screws ! As much as we would like these things to be, " Set it, and forget it ", they are not ! Simply as stated in the video ! They are subject to not only vibrations, but micro vibrations, and can walk out by themselves ! Been there, done that !

[@DanielKE7UUM]

How does that antenna do simplex?

[@sleeve8651]

It's been my experience, that if the mag mount will be left long term, and obviously exposed to the elements, ( Rain, Snow, etc.), that using some Silicone around the boot, where the rubber skirt meets the metal cover, that it should then keep water from migrating between the boot and the magnet ! Otherwise over time, the magnet will rust ! Probably a good idea to do the same around where the Coax enters the boot ! Better Safe than sorry ! 👍😉

[@bryanmanx]

I have one of these and swr is worse than I've ever seen. I am using a mirror mount so there is no ground plane. Q and a on Amazon said no ground plane needed but I am wondering if that is the truth.

[@brucekempf4648]

All antennas require some kind of ground plane. Some are built into the antenna design but these vertical antennas need to be mounted onto steel like the roof to perform properly.

[@bryanmanx]

Would the lack of a ground plane affect swr?

[@ranger445577]

Cant seem to find the spring do you have a link?

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

@ranger44 - look on Amazon for this Comet CA-SPR Spring Insert for Comet CA-2x4 Antennas

[@wercrooks1]

Good instructions. Simple, clear, easy. Got the same setup after I saw this video.

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Glad it helped

[@roberthudson4212]

You might think about using dielectric grease or jet lube from DX Engineering instead of Vaseline. They are made for electrical connections. kc9upj

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

@Robert Hudson - Indeed. I have had no issues and it was handy at the time. Thanks for watching!

[@MC1dash1Bravo]

Appreciate the video review. This is the antenna I'm going to use for my mobile install on my Tacoma. Instead of vaseline though, I plan on using Noalox by Ideal to coat the antenna base threads. 73 de K4WSD

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Glad it helped

[@BrianH2288]

Not so good here, it is resonant at 157mhz 50 ohms. @ 144 -148 it is 1.7 to 1at 30 ohms it would need lengthened but with the mid coils the lengthening would be difficult.. I am going to add the spring so i can lengthen the antenna and bring 2 meters into resonance hope 440 stays good

[@sleeve8651]

Not to nit pick, but I believe the doors of the vehicle should be closed, while checking SWR ! 🤔......? JUST SAY'N !

[@andrewwoods9497]

Great video, always interesting and good quality videos. 👍-Kn4vxs

[@YoyoBandalore]

Enjoyed the video. Love your Boxer. We have two Boxer furkids. :) Thanks! KX4ZU

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Thanks for watching!

[@c.j.deyoungiii2704]

November, Mike, Oscar

[@lgcacher9205]

I bought one, I hear weather band better .But I use simplex to test it out and my old antenna had better ears. Now on 2 meter grate swr and 48 to 51 ohms and full output 50 watts of power. But now on 70cm at as good. I only get about 3/4 of power output , 35 watts of power and not 50 watts and swr is good and the radio don't like it as much as 2 meter side. So it is better than hustler mx-270 on 2 meter on swr and ohms but no as good on the ears as the hustler was. I just wish the 70cm was better on power and the ears like hustler was. But 2x4sr is better built as far I think. Diamond Sg7500 is next to test . you can't test a antenna using a repeaters, test the antenna using simplex with the same mount and location and the same person and same time. Because conditions can change . 73s and have fun

[@tmo7734]

The “compound?” Sounds military... 😆

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

@TMO - I'm a Marine, so of course it's a compound! KY4BDP

[@tmo7734]

@@LCARAHAMRadio Excellent. Thank you for your service. Stay well. Stay safe.

[@watchmanmichael2023]

😊👍