Enhanced SBB-5NMO Dual Band Mobile Antenna for 2M/70cm Comet Communication Review

The antenna looks good and works properly. I didn't cut because the SWR is less than 2:1. A different installation location would be better (on the driver's side of the hood between the hood and the windshield). I needed such a length that at least part of the signal went through the hood/roof.

I've been bumping into a branch on my NMO mount with it the whole time and haven't snapped anything yet. Runs well on the Autobahn at 80 km/h. However, it has a loud profile and can be heard at speeds over 30 mph. With a 50W Yaesu I have excellent SWR and can hear clearly for miles. I heard radios crackling in the mountains over 50 miles away.

NOT PL-259 PLUG! I bought this after running all the coax cables, expecting to get a PL-259 end antenna. What I got was an antenna with an NMO connector, which isn't a big deal, but I'll have to buy another coax and reroute it. The antenna appears to be of good quality and reliable, but I cannot comment on its performance as I cannot install it on my vehicle until I have the correct parts.

Installed it 10" from my Tarr-Heal 75A on the spare tire mount on the back of my Rav-4.3. Transmitted 144,005 and 147,995 and 432,006 and 449,995. The SWR meter in my FT-897 hardly moved up the scale at the ends of the range, there was no reading at all in the middle of the ranges right out of the box. I came across a repeater. I have never worked from home almost 40 miles from home in a 2.70cm car, almost the same distance is full size now. Fiction!

Installed 10" from my Tarr-Heal 75A on the spare tire mount on the back of my Rav-4.3 Transferred to 144005 and 147995 and 432006 and 449995. SWR meter barely moved up the scale in my FT-89 at the ends of the strip, there is no reading at all in the middle of the strips right out of the box it came in. Push the repeater.. I've never worked at nearly 40 miles from home on a 1-1/2" car at nearly the same distance, now full size. Fantastic!

I don't have much time to use the antenna but I did an SWR analysis and attached photos. Basically around 1.5. Please note that I have not adjusted (tuned) the antenna. These are the default values of my unit. The values are ok, but could be better. I chose the NMO mount. The NMO mount is low profile and I had to adjust it to grip enough threads to be secure. The folding mechanism is not very good and I will not use it. I only unscrew as needed. I like the size just over a meter long, I can…

Mine is on my mountain bike. HMO mount on an aluminum extension from the trunk and I have a n0eq-5 velomobile. The construction seems solid enough. The whip isn’t particularly "bouncy,” which is good for a bike. You don't want a bouncing whip around the back of your head as you hop the trails. The "tilt" function is almost impossible without tools. I had to clamp it in a vise to get it far enough to fold it. From an RF point of view, it works like any other half-wave antenna. Some radio…