2 meter beam antenna For FM And SSB

[N4TLL]

What 2 meter Beam antenna Should I use for FM And SSB

[K9KJM]

The Cushcraft 13B2 works fine. Install it VERTICAL for FM use. For SSB, Install it HORIZONTAL.

Other good ones include the M2 2M12, Or a set of phased 2M9s

If you want but ONE antenna to work both modes, That is a very different story!
I have heard a few good reviews of Gulf Alpha antennas that are capable of that, I have never tried one in person. I still do it the old fashioned way with two different antenna systems.

http://gulfalphaantennas.com/

[N0AZZ]

To work well for both you need 2 different antennas for FM I use a Cushcraft 13b2 for SSB/Digital I'm using a M2 2M5WL 32' long. That said they do make a antenna that does have horizontal and vertical elements on it cant remember the mfg on it offhand.

[WA9SVD]

There are some other possibilities, as a compromise. If you only want to operate local repeaters, and have a rotatable beam, mount the antenna HORIZONTALLY. You will loose (typically) 20-30 dB due to cross polarization, but you may still be able to contact the local repeaters you desire, while retaining your best performance for terrestrial contacts; either way, you would need to point the antenna in yhr desired direction.
One consideration would be to mount the antenna at a 45° angle; that would still yield an antenna requiring rotation, but would be a compromise between horizontal and vertical polarization.
As previously stated, if you want to work long range (usually SSB) AND local repeaters, you would be better off using a vertical, omni-directional antenna for FM and the directional beam for the weak signal work.

[WB2WIK]

I second that notion about using an omnidirectional vertical for FM and a horizontal beam for SSB. They can both be on the same mast (vertical on top of the mast, above the beam) and a good omni vertical is often more useful for FM/repeater work than a beam is because repeaters and simplex stations come in from all directions and it can be a nuisance having to constantly rotate the beam for FM work. For SSB work, a beam is almost a requirement in most locations and will be more useful.

From a rather average home location, I can work repeaters over 100 miles away just using a good omni antenna that's up well in the clear, fed with low loss coax. Working simplex stations using 50W and omni antennas, 50 miles or more is very typical; sometimes over 100 miles in more open directions.

I'd recommend for FM a Hustler G6-144 and for SSB an M2 2M9 as a minimum. These are both extremely high quality, good performing antennas that are well made and not expensive.

[K5AHH]

--I believe the Cushcraft 148-20 would work. It has 10 elements Vertical and 10 elements Horizontal on the same boom. Around $200.