Diamond Antenna X30A Dual-Band Base Repeater Antenna – 2m/70cm High-Gain VHF UHF Antenna with 6.5 dB Gain and Durable Fiberglass Construction for Amateur Radio Base Stations

This antenna gave very good SWR ratings on a 6 foot tripod. Surprisingly good on GMRS band also.

I used this to replace a mag mount antenna for my portable 2m/440 radio during ARES events. This is a Diamond antenna, so it is a well made and very functional antenna. The size is perfect for easy travel in a vehicle. The gain is good for my use. I think it is a great antenna for this use especially.

This was installed as my second floor backup 2m/70cm base antenna. My outdoor Ringo antenna bit the dust when Hurricane Helene came through so I switched to this one. I've never looked back. Being indoors, and after doing the recommended RF exposer studies, this antenna works exceptionally well in my second floor "shack". Even running 5W I can access our club repeater 32 miles away with full quieting. I have near perfect access to to eight 70cm repeaters and thirteen 2m repeaters. All are within 32 miles; most within 15 miles. My setup includes 12' of low loss RG-8x coax ( Yes, 12' and I know exactly the RF exposures generate and all are safe) feeding the antenna. Given how this antenna performs, and knowing the RF exposure, I have no plans to erect another outdoor FM antenna. It's just not needed for local 2m/70cm repeater. More distant communication is with either my FT-840 or IC-7300 HF rigs fed by an EFHW 4010 wire antenna.

2meter SWR is perfect. 70cm is excellent 1.2-.1.5 across, if not better. I've heard 2 meter stations from Central IL to Milwaukee with this antenna being around 30-35 feet off the ground. GMRS *simplex* on *specific* freq's is decent enough from 1.6 - 2.5 . Repeaters and channels on 467 have a lot higher impedance and a dedicated GMRS antenna is suggested if blasting on full power...otherwise go to 10-50% and your impedance should be ok to open up a repeater without risk to your station. I am able to GMRS simplex (at least on my mobile to base, have not tested the other way) 11 miles away given hills and buildings in a city, haven't gone further since it's outside of my circle I am most often in; im sure I can go farther but I am not at a high point and my area is not flat enough. I have a switch to avoid an antenna farm on my roof for my GMRS and Amateur radios. I can pickup stations 50+ miles away, was not able to do with on a jpole at a similar height.

Buena

I purchased two of these antennas, for home and boat. Antenna has held up to the elements, including Hurricane Helene... great reception and I haven't had any complaints about sound quality.

This is a great antenna for casual amateur radio use on 2 M and 70 cm bands. It does not have as much gain as bigger and more expensive antennas, but 3 watts gets me into the repeater 10 miles away with full quieting. It is very well made and has a solid feel. Reliable. Price is lower at some other online retailers.

My friend and I live several miles apart and have handhelds that a only hit each other when we're on our rooftops. We both got one of this antenna and mounted them up high and now we get great reception even with 5w handhelds. Also hit some repeaters 50+ miles away!