Customer Reviews for Tram Amateur Dual-Band Base Antenna

My second (sold the first before I moved) and I highly recommend it. Those that have bought this one or the 17 footer are happy with them.

A great antenna for amateur radio operators. I had no idea Home Depot sold things like this. After ordering I was pleasantly surprised how quick it arrived.

This is a very good antenna for the price, and the Home Depot price is the best any where. I have a boondocking lot in western Wisconsin and this antenna will be used by random people camping on the lot. It hits all of the local repeaters on high power and several with a hand held.

Review the assembly instructions and other customer's review for assembly pitfalls BEFORE your antenna arrives. I know how Hams are and you'll just want to open the box, throw the thing together, and get it on the air. I did several reviews and was completely ready when my antenna arrived. Initially, I put mine together in my basement and tested it hanging horizontally with rope, being mindful of any metal objects, i.e., beams, duct work, water pipes, etc. in the basement. I did the 2-meter SWR testing twice. once with a SWR meter (blue trace) and the other with a MFJ-259C analyzer (green trace) (photo attached). The curves are similar, i.e., they track each other. According to the analyzer the SWR is 2.0:1 or less from 143.90 MHz to 150.0 MHz, i.e., usable across the entire 2m band. However, using the LDG SWR meter with the FT-857D, the SWR at 143.90-144.00 MHz is 2.25:1 and 1.8:1 at 150 MHz. As for the 70cm band.... Under 2.0:1 across the entire band.... 1.24:1 at 420 MHz and 1.98:1 at 450 MHz. I could only test this with the LDG SWR meter. The MFJ-259C does not do UHF. I moved the antenna outside and mounted it on a 20-foot pole. The new SWR plots are also attached below. Big difference getting it outside and on a pole. Using both the analyzer and SWR meter, the 2m plot show 2.0:1 or less across the entire 2m band. The 70cm plot looks odd to me... up-down-up-down-up-down... but 1.73:1 or less across the entire band (420-450 MHz). My guess is the interaction in the antenna construction, i.e., the internal wire is coiled in places. The 'inductor' probably has to do with antenna modeling and getting it to resonate. So, being outside and installed properly does make a difference... usable end-to-end across both bands. I know some people want that 1.0:1 perfect match, and there's a point where most antennas will do that but not usually across an entire band. This antenna has good enough specifications that it won't harm your equipment. Another thing to consider... Even if your radio only operates on one of the designed bands, this antenna is still a good buy to use as a single-bander. The gain on 2m is 6dB and on 70cm is 8db. What does that mean in layman's terms... If you put 50 watts into the antenna at the 2m frequency, you will have an effective radiated power of 200 watts. If you put the same power into the antenna on the 70cm frequency, your effective radiated power is just a fraction over 315 watts. The gain also helps the received signal. Some people noted in their reviews about the durability. All Hams know you're supposed to weather proof, i.e., seal the seams or anywhere water could get into the device, these types of antennas. If you don't, it's your own fault. I have considered making it more "rugged" by inserting the entire antenna in Schedule 40 PVC. I'll have to see what size best accommodates the entire antenna. I'm thinking 1.5" may work. If you are able to do that and have a top cap, there no way water could get into your antenna unless it somehow blow up the enclosure from the bottom... Bottom line: This antenna for $50.56 plus tax with free shipping is a winner. That's why my title says, "Don't Miss This One!!!" Get one and let me know what you think. Was I just lucky with the one I received???

I love this antenna. This is a redo review. This antenna's SWR on 2 meters was pretty flat from 144 to 148 MHz Most of the time the SWR was 1.02 which is Excellent . On 70 CM it was flat as well and the SWR didn't really move till I got up to the higher portion of the band. The SWR was very low even there. I did make a video about some assembly and test results. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ6P5a8mchM&t=

Great for 2 meters or 70 cm SWR for 2 meters was 1.4 - 1.6 .. The 70 cm band was flat. Great antenna talking to places just on my handie that I normally could not reach!

This antenna preformed better than I expected SWR was 1.2 @144 flat @146 and 1.4@148 Mhz. It also had an SWR of less than 1.5 from 440 to 450 Mhz. Awesome antenna for the money.

This is the TRAM 1481 5/8 wave dual band antenna. The model number wasn't clearly listed in the product page but once I got the antenna, it's properly labelled on the packaging. My antenna says it was made in Taiwan. All the sectional connector have rubber seals to prevent water from getting through, but I bought the silicone tape and wrapped it up just in case. I also sprayed it with dark green color to make it more conspicuous. One thing to note is that the antenna comes with the N type connector, it’s protected from weather underneath the base sheath that gets clamped to the base mount. I used Times Micro LMR400 coax and ran 60 feet to my Yaesu 857D through a Diamond SX200 meter. This is a relatively low cost antenna with great performance. I don’t know how it will hold up over time though. Perhaps I’ll update the review after a while.

Easy assembly, low SWR through the bands, here is photo of a test setup before I installed on tower.

Very good product. easy to assemble and install. exceptional quality for the price. Performs very well. SWR's are below 1.5 to 1 on vhf and uhf. Some areas are almost 0. No adjustment was needed. I have been a ham for 29 years and would definitely recommend this antenna. I even sent one to a friend in Arizona and he loves it too. It has very good gain for simplex and repeater coverage. I painted it flat black as I am in a restricted area so it is less visible.

It's the same Tram 1480 everyone else sells so don't let it being from The Home Depot scare you away. 1.2:1 or less on 2m 1.5:1 or better on 40cm A few months use it seem like a great deal for a dual band

I have purchased several tram 1480. Two we placed on an antenna tower located near Hurricane Utah. We had both fail recently. They are rated at 110 mph and I do not think we had any gusts that high at all. Both failed at the base to fiberglass connection point. These were placed at the end of a test track bunker tower. In all fairness winds do get to be pretty challenging on the mesa. We will be replacing them with the Diamond X-50 dual band antenna. (twice the price of 1480)

Just getting started in the HAM game. This antenna is awesome for the price!!!

Great product and works better than expected

As advertized

Well built for the cost and works well. All needed hardware was included. Compares well to the existing 2 meter antenna.

Have one of these installed at our station at home.... bought a second to install at our remote station location. exceptional performance - extreme good value for the the money.

I have not used this yet. I have I think is the same antenna which is not as long as the order from you all. I got this antenna to take the place of a Diamond X300A that don't work as good as the Tram antenna I already had, and is not as high as the Diamond. So, I feel like the 1 I got from ya'll will do a lot better, at least I hope it is the case. The antenna looks good and I hope it works as well as it looks.

Works on 220mhz, used a comet antenna analyzer and the antenna is usable on 220mhz band.

Just be sure to seal the connection where the elements join. Works excellent, great price.

I installed this antenna with new coax high swr readings on 70cm side save your money

Good price for a decent dual band antenna.

This is a good dual band VHF-UHF antenna, and is priced lower than similar competitive models from Comet and Diamond in my opinion. Following some of the reviews, I put a little extra effort and used a bead of silicone sealer when assembling the top and bottom elements to each other. Same thing for the fiberglass/metal junction (just above the radials), and rubbed a small bead around the joint. No issues really, and of course, the higher up the better!

I have owned the antenna for approximately one month. Installation went well and I am receiving great signal reports while using with a 10w HT. I recommend researching instructions how to ensure weatherproofing your purchase. Assembly was quite simple.

Works great at half the price of comparable better known brand antennas.

Surprised to see that I could get a amateur radio antenna from a home improvement store so I decided to give it a try. The antenna works well and is mounted just above my roof top on a single story home so it's not in the clear but the swr's are about 1.5-1.7 to 1 on 2m and nearly flat on 70cm. The notches on both bands are narrow and would be better if the antenna were more in the clear. American made antenna working well and as advertised

Measure twice, mount once! Easy assembly, with all mounting hardware. I nano-taped the joints to help keep out water. After getting the mast brackets snugged up, I realized I needed a bit more space on the single mount bolt. Both U-bolts tried to crossthread when I went to loosen them. My mistake for getting things too close, but if you ever have to take it down, plan on needing new U-bolted.

Haven't used it yet have to mount on my tower, I have used other Tram products and they have performed well

Great price and quick shipping.