Review on 📡 Tram Aluminum 6dBd Gain VHF 135MHz-174MHz Base Station Antenna, Silver (1400), 10ft - Reliable and High-Performance Solution for Enhanced VHF Communication by Byron Patil

I was in dire need of a 2m antenna and found it at Revain for a GOOD price! I figured I had nothing to lose so I bought it. The antenna arrived in a few days. First impressions were that the material and finish was MUCH better than expected. I was very surprised at how well made this antenna was, especially for the money. The antenna was assembled and configured according to the instructions. Perfectly tuned to the middle of the 2m band (146MHz.). I hung it on a pole by the shop and started building it. Using an antenna switch between the Tram 1400 antenna and the store's 2m cellular antenna, the cellular antenna was consistently 2-3 S units BETTER than the 10ft high Tram antenna. Something was wrong. I removed the tram and checked everything again. Everything was fine, so I connected it with another cable (LMR-400). The same thing. The Tram 1400 was always 2-3 S-units LOWER than the store's unit gain mobile antenna. Ah, I thought. It's just an accident. I took the tram apart again, sealed everything really well and coated the black plastic parts with white epoxy to make it last longer. A few days later he started bothering me. I know how the Tram 1400 works, and I know that stacked 5/8 waves should be vastly superior to a single gain mobile antenna. For the sake of a smile I removed the tram antenna and removed the top and phasing coil. I threaded a 3/8-24 screw into the end, readjusted, and resealed. When swapping between Unity Gain Mobile and Tram 1400 (minus the top half), Tram was consistently 1-2 S units BETTER! Yes, by shortening it, he began to work even better. So now it's just a 5/8 wave instead of stacked 5/8 waves. That's how I want to keep it now. Just a 5/8 wave but it works much better now. See photos. Even considering it's best used as good old 5/8 shafting, it's still a steal for the price. Tips: Seal the joints with tape to keep water out. Paint black plastic parts with non-conductive paint to make them last longer. Leave the head and phase coil in your pocket and use as a simple 5/8 wave ground antenna.