TRAM 1481 Dual Band VHF/UHF Ham Radio Base Antenna Unboxing and Review

[@ryankc9oza118]

I have 2. If you weather proof the joints it'll last awhile. Otherwise it'll get water in it. I used rtv when going together and then rescue tape over the joints. Mines been up for few years on my 85ft tower with no issues

[@leedlbo9949]

Hey guys look at the Diamond x510HDA , what's the difference other than price ? Look real close , that so239 connector on the Diamond and Coment Gp9 both have drain holes on each side of the connector so copy it and file or grind holes in your Tram that way if water gets in it can drain out . Now how does it get in ? Well those joints might be a source but I don't think so so , carefully hold the fiberglass base and with your hand and twist and rock the aluminum pieces and most likely it will break loose showing you they glued it with resin or epoxy , and aluminium and fiberglass expand at different rates so will break loose and you might notice where water can slide down the antenna and is funneled into that joint as the ring that's over the aluminium looks like a gasket but its hard plastic which helps let water in . so if you want to save a hundred bucks on a knockoff antenna you need to do some extra work to make it last.

[@OldJailer]

I’m getting ready to pull my Tram 1481 down and do some maintenance and waterproofing on it. It performs poorly after it rains so I need to remedy that. Ended up finding your comment. Thx

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nice job Sterling, that is a monster size antenna 👍

[@HamRadio2]

An excellent video, great job!

[@WI9LL]

Founder’s All Day is good stuff.

[@kenkalac6087]

Great video! Love a good video where the person is fun as well as informative.

[@pnowikow]

Your local to STL? Cool. How has the Tram been over the years?

[@jeffreys.harris3433]

Wheres part two of the installing on the roof?

[@peschpit]

I like the IPA. Video was good too.

[@ralphebrandt]

Nice job but a couple of comments. I have the diamond that has been up 10 years and no leakage problem, both use the same seals. If you don't put it together right you WILL have leakage. I read some of the reviews and wonder if some of the guys writing them could properly identify a screwdriver I can understand why things do not work. I listened to your comments on N connectors then saw you using RG-8x or RG-58, couldn't tell which, in a base situation. If you aren't sealing N's, I wonder how long till you experience problems. I got my Tram 1481 without instructions, watched this to fill in to be sure I was right. Oh, I dont trust lockwashers on most things, ever heard of loctite? I use the blue, you can break it free if you have to. I haven't had a bolt back out since with or without a lockwasher. Again, good job. This kind of thing helps newer hams. K3HQI

[@BLACKHEAT1028]

Best explanation 6:35 for the working man. I got it fully

[@williamfenton6562]

Holy Crap I'm Glad I watched this just to see how LARGE this is, aswell from STL area

[@revdsky]

I just passed my Technician test, waiting for call sign. Going to mount it with a gable end mount on top of my shack. 17' roof + 16' of the antenna. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for the video - will save me some time and grief!

[@N0SSC]

congratulations! good luck; i'd be glad to hear how it goes. I still don't have mine up because the masonry repair companies around STL are super flaky!

[@skymccracken9079]

@@N0SSC Got the antenna put together and mounted. My call sign dropped a couple of days ago (KO4DKI). The sweet spot on 2-meters is 146.300, had an SWR = 1.15! The trade-off: UHF not so good (but not terrible). Your video saved me a lot of grief and time. Many thanks again!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Fantastic!

[@davethewelder1]

Great video. How did the installation go and the tuning? Need input, need input.

[@joecraft4409]

#1, the adult Beverage is ALWAYS first. I have the same antenna just not put it together yet. I did buy Flex Seal in clear. I believe these Tram/Browning and the Diamond are the same antenna. It would be interesting if the antenna and its windings (component) are the same, I have a notion they are. Same everything just different color water "0" rings.

[@pfmcdermott1]

I appreciate your frustration with the outside connector that is exposed to the elements, being SO239.

[@kenkalac6087]

I am getting ready to order this antenna, how is it holding up? I find a bunch of mixed reviews but it seems that if you do the premaintenance during installation it is a solid antenna.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Hey, this video looks familiar!

[@joecraft4409]

Use Blue Thread Locker on those screws.

[@ralphebrandt]

Think you mean loctite. Agreed, great stuff.

[@Brenda-jf2pe]

Good video! Thanks! I use Scotch 2228 Moisture Sealing Electrical tape! It’s a product for Electrician’s and can be used for direct burial. It’s good stuff, Made in the USA. Cover the whole joint! Also gently sand with light sand paper or bronze wool the antenna and put several coats of polyurethane marine varnish on the fiber glass. Should be good for 10 years . Bronze Wool between coats. Your adding quality to your Antenna. JohnBoyUtah KJ7TBR.😎🇺🇸📡🎙

[@JT-py9lv]

I used silicone and shrink tube on my joints

[@buccweet4904]

i have this antenna 8dBd (not dBi) KILLER gain!

[@DoctorCreepy]

Just got mine it was missing all the small wrench nuts and other items.

[@mlr06121974]

Excellent down to earth video on this antenna. 73’s KE5MUG

[@noveske223]

How does this compare to the Comet gp-9 please help.

[@JPDW3072]

No update ?

[@shailynnblair7993]

How do you set your standing waves with the tram 1481 antenna

[@jfrphoto01]

It is pre-tuned at the factory. I have the 1480 dual band and the swr on 2 meters is 1,2:1 and 1.1:1 on 70cm.

[@VK9TOM]

What sort of coaxial cable are you using 73s Tom Vk3ftom

[@N0SSC]

That is yet to be determined. I think I'm going to order some Davis RF Direct-Bury coax, which seems to hold up better than, and has equivalent specs to LMR-400.

[@VK9TOM]

Thank you

[@PRSH8YAPROJECTS]

You brought Covid into this? Really?

[@N0SSC]

At the time, the world was kind of on lockdown and had no idea what we were dealing with, so yes.

[@oldpreach]

You're hilarious😂

[@k2cjbradio]

Nice antenna and fun to watch! 73 de K2CJB

[@onemarktwoyou]

>>>JUNK

[@ralphebrandt]

Maybe there are two team companies making antennas you bought from one and I bought from the.other. I have several teams, all have been good.

[@onemarktwoyou]

@@ralphebrandt Trams customer service is worthless as well. They didn't stand behind their product. I was told they changed hands. I would suggest you buy from a quality company next time. As for the tram 1841, they all seem to have bends at their base where they are mounted if they experienced some wind. I placed another up that I had used, when I looked at it, one it was slightly constructed different, and two it had the bend at the base as my other when I took it down. I was told this was not unusual. Customer service not wanting to help me with parts told me all I needed.