As the title of this post indicate the 2m/70cm dual-band antenna for the Garden Route Hub RF Radio has arrived this afternoon all the way from Cape Town. Now this will be the second time in my 28 year's that I bought a commercially made antenna of any kind. As a homebrewer I construct all my antennas out of different materials. Even my 19 element 2m High Gain Yagi that served me well was homebrewed. Now why buy when I can build. On the workbench is a half constructed 2m collinear antenna. I started working on it earlier this year. Living at the coast I wanted something that is protected against the elements. I looked locally for a proper housing for the collinear but could not find a decent product. Having to order glass fiber tubing from elsewhere would cost me nearly half the price of the Diamond X50.
I then decided to buy the Diamond X50 Antenna from Dirk ZS1X as advertised on the Pretoria Swop Shop. Reading reviews on eHam.net convinced me to buy the antenna. Another important factor why I chose the X50 is its form factor and rigidity. Lets hope it can withstand the Cape of Storms wind gusts.
Surely this antenna is not the alpha and omega of VHF/UHF verticals.
Reviews on eHam.net available HERE.
Here is the specifications of the antenna as advertised by Diamond:
I plan to use the antenna at first on 2 meters. Installation will hopefully be done this coming Saturday, weather and circumstances permitting. This post will be updated with info and photos once the antenna is installed.
