LCARA HAM Radio: Installing and Testing the CompacTenna Tri-band Antenna!!!!

[@jpb5385]

Sold!!! Great video. Thanks.

[@viewatyourownrisk]

This is a great presentation. I did a similar series of testing on a 2007 Honda Pilot, and ended up with the antenna on the rear passenger corner.

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Thanks for the info! Thanks for watching!

[@TheNoCodeTech]

Great video. TeamReplay for the win!

[@vr2zdx490]

Excellent video! It will be great if you can share the Amazon link of that tiny magnetic mount. Thanks.

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

@VR2ZDX - smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08PVFWNWR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@dr.jacknilsson1970]

Thank you, Brian and LCARA for this unsolicited COMPACtenna review that I just saw. You did such a wonderful job demonstrating the benefit of being able to use the variety of corners of a vehicle as mounting locations rather than just the single center-of-the-roof position as stressed by standard antennas. It will be exciting for many to see a follow-up video you mentioned in additional locations. We all experience NLOS (Non-Line-Of-Sight) stationary and traveling locations/areas whether in a valley, behind a building, even more so being in the inner city, and frequently in otherwise null-spots/areas due to multipath and polarization shifts. Flutter reduction with 'increased reliable range' is a much appreciated and valuable attribute.

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

@ Dr. Jack Nilsson - You are most welcome! I'll be testing the COMPACtenna against my old standard, Comet, this week. I'll reach out to you personally as well. Thanks for watching!

[@rangersmith4652]

Mine measures 1.0 to 1.2 on 2M and no higher than 1.4 on 70cm. Have not tested it on 1.25 meters since I don't have a triband in my vehicle (it's in the shack for now). Best spot on my Outback is front right corner of the top roughly 4" in from front and right edges. The only issue is have is my hesitance to leave it in place when I have to leave the car parked in public. Expensive, potentially tempting, and easy for someone to pocket and then disappear.

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

@Ranger Smith - I haven't tested for 70CM yet, but will get a chance when we go to Cave City HAMFest this Saturday using my FTM-400. As for it being stolen, my Comet was not any better as I have always used a magnetic mount. But so far, I have not had that come up. Thanks for watching!

[@TobyCostaRica]

Thankfully people that know what it is are usually good folks. I wish there was some sort of set screw to lock it in place though

[@TobyCostaRica]

“Is that a Compactenna in your pocket or are you happy to see me?”

[@truck57us]

Good video, thanks. Any updates on 220 and 440 testing?

[@miafla305]

Thank you. Very interesting!!!!

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Glad you liked it!

[@BrianMaiers412]

It would be interesting to see the SWR with the Comet antenna with the new small mag mount. Also any issues with drag from new antenna (falling off truck)?

[@Scott_AI5EF]

Great video. I wonder how this would do on a front fender mount?

[@jonathanprinty]

This is a great video and very informative. I was looking for a good compact 2m/70cm for my new truck using the 3rd brake light mount. I think this sets it in stone, I'm going this route now. 73 KD0OSF

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@benollo6547]

Great video

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Thanks!

[@williamlowry9585]

You were not supposed to use that Comet antenna with a magnet mount. I bet you would see a difference having it mounted.

[@markw1123]

Di-electric grease is not a conductor. It should go around the threads, not on them. Did you put grease on the second mount? Perhaps this could be part of the issue.

[@Knarf14]

Has anyone used with drilled nmo mount ?

[@johnbomenka6131]

On the front corner with 1.2 SWR you have perfect impedance, On the rear corner with a flat match your impedance was 20% higher. I wonder which location would be the best ?

[@teamsalvation]

Which mag mount did you end up buying? I don’t see it in your affiliates page. Thank you 🙏

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Cheapest one on Amazon for around $15 UAYESOK Mini NMO Mount Magnetic Base, Thanks for watching!

[@bjclodfelter1361]

How do you think it would do if mounted to one of those Larson 3rd brake light mounts? Has anyone tested that?

[@TalmidAndy]

I would like to see a more scientific and objective review looking at we comparison of transmit and receive signal strength on simplex over various distances and terrains rather than a subjective report through a repeater.

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Hey Andrew Spencer, Ham Radio Concepts has a great video that goes into more detail on the measurements and radiating patterns. For our video, in a rural area, we are more interested in whether a low profile antenna will compare to traditional antennas, like the Comet I have used. This antenna has been on my truck now for 4 months and does a great job. We will soon be testing the 9" version to see how it does in the same environment. Thanks for watching!

[@sleeve8651]

Bet at that distance you could hit the repeater with an HT and a rubber Duck ! 😳 🦆

[@davidpatrick1813]

whoooo doggie ........... I like that may I use it? 🙂

[@adamcrawford7527]

Does this antenna have to be mag mount?

[@adamcrawford7527]

Door jam mount?

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

@Adam Crawford - The COMPACtenna and the SCAN-III can antennas are NMO mounted. There are a variety of mounts such as magnetic and door jam mounts that use the connection. Their HF antennas use the 3/8x24 mounts. Thanks for watching!

[@SIGINT007]

A good VSWR is not indicative of how it radiates a signal...which it doesn't really do very well at all.

[@paulaubuchon2336]

What make and model of the NEW nmo mount. Paul K1YOU

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Hey Paul Aubuchon, the cheapest I could find on Amazon at the time www.amazon.com/UAYESOK-Mount-Magnetic-Mobile-Antennas/dp/B08PVFWNWR/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=nmo+magnetic+mount&qid=1632667935&sr=8-8

[@paulaubuchon2336]

@@LCARAHAMRadio thanks...I got a tram model from Amazon. Got the antenna from HRO and it works GREAT...Best swr was 1.23 mounted on the right front of the roof on my 2020 Hyundai Tuscon. NOTE: had some issues at first and found problem was roof rack cross rail. Remove and all well....RNX Paul K1YOU

[@robjanusch2874]

How did it do, at highway speeds?

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

@Rob Junusch - It does very well. Never had one blow off, even at 75 miles and hour on the highway. It obviously needs to come off the roof if going through a car wash, but other than that, no issues. Thanks for watching!

[@sleeve8651]

Funny how repeaters do all the heavy lifting ! 🤔....?

[@baron1c]

How does it do on 222 and 440?

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

@baron1c We'll find out soon so stay tuned! Thanks for watching!

[@sleeve8651]

In my opinion, these antennas are the equivalent of a snake oil salesman ! It's a perfect example of a " Woke " antenna ! Where instead of the Dogs Tail wagging the Dog, these antennas control the operators, having you jump thru hoops, trying to find a location, to " Make " it work ! Something to remember too, is that RF will follow ground ! So if you end up mounting these things at some weird location, just so you can, " appease " the antenna, then I'm guessing it will be highly directional ? Now for the older licenced Hams, does that sound right ? 😂🤣😂 There again, just my opinion ! 👍😉

[@cokeswigga]

Are you sure that is dielectric grease? And not just some silicone grease?