FMEU SO239 Mount Magnetic Base UHF PL-259 Antenna Cable Roof or Trunk for Mobile Radios PL259 Connector for Yaesu Kenwood HYT Vertex Icom Mobile Radios …

I am a Licenced Amateur Radio operator and I use local very low power hotspots for digital communications. I would usually use a handheld radio to access these hotspots but I find that constantly charging batteries is a small issue. With this in mind I now use a mobile radio, as this does not have an inbuilt aerial I needed a small and compact solution for the very short range required. This aerial fits the bill nicely - compact and unobtrusive, mounted indoors (on top of a metal filing cabinet) the signal response is fine and SWR is reassuringly low on VHF but a little higher on UHF. I also have one on my car, as the existing aerial is 5ft long, and it works reasonably well. At 50 Watts output in VHF I have been able to access a repeater some 20 miles away. UHF, however, was less successful, the SWR being the issue. For localised use this aerial is fine but don’t expect miracles, it is after all a compromise antenna.

Considering its small size, I was not expecting much of this antenna, but I am very pleantly surprised. It performs well on both the car and indoors. The reception with a decent ground plane is remarkably good and its sensitivity amazed me. On transmit it obviously gives a weaker signal than a physically longer antenna, but is fine for closer contacts. The SWR is near perfect on 2 metres and acceptable for 70 cms. If you want a small antenna this is ideal. Seems well made and is really good value considering you also get a small mag mount that can be used with other small antennas. Highly recommended.