Can I use an Antron 99 CB antenna as an omni directional 2 meter antenna?

[KC9VFO]

I have had my ticket for 4 months. I am still learning. What got me is that some of these people thought that I had so little sense as to expect the 11 meter antenna could be used without modification. I expected I would have to modify the length of the radiating wire. (Although I was told by a ham that an antenna tuner could be used to make a chain link fence into a suitable antenna). I do appreciate the few who offered suggestions but from all of the "smart" people on here, no one has yet told me why the antron cannot be shortened to around 1.2 meters in length and then used for 2 meters. I guess they were too busy putting me down so they could feel superior instead of answering my question.

The Antron has a matching system suitable for 11 meters and would be very lossy using it as a cut down 2 meter antenna, even a 1/4 wave ground plane built out of coat hangers would out perform it.

[KF5OUP]

OK- Now we are getting somewhere. I suppose the antenna tuner I mentioned earlier is not designed to improve the mismatch?

[K9STH]

On VHF (and higher frequencies), an antenna tuning unit usually eats up more power than would be dissipated by a mismatch.

Normally, VHF (and higher frequencies) antennas are matched to the feedline which is pretty easy to accomplish.

Glen, K9STH

[KC9VFO]

Well it could but it would be so lossy on 2 meters you would have not much more than a dummy load. Antenna tuners are more for HF bands, vhf does not like mismatched antennas because of the loss. One nice thing about 2 meter antennas is they are small and nice to build. It would be far easier for you to build an antenna out of a so 239 connector and some stiff wire and it would perform great.

[K7JEM]

There are a few reasons it would not be a good idea to modify the Antron. First is that the antenna will work well on the 10M band without much (if any) changes. So it serves its purpose and has it's greatest "worth" as a 10M antenna. You would be better off selling it to a CBer or another ham, then taking that money and buying a 2M omni. 2M antennas can be purchased for around $30 up to $2000 or so. Many are priced under $100 and work well. As mentioned, you can easily make a quarter wave ground plane antenna out of coat hangers, copper house wiring, or copper brazing rods for under $10. Any of those antennas will perform better than the Antron with a tuner.

Your coax cable needs to be factored in. At 2M, you want to keep the run as short as you can, and use low loss cable. You need to see if your existing cable will be a good choice, there is good probablility that it will be too lossy.

Joe

[KC9VFO]

With one of these and some stiff wire cut to the correct length



You could build this and have a great antenna.

[KI6USW]

I can tell you that if you get you General license, you can use that A99 on 10, 12, & 15m with very little help from the MFJ tuner you have. Some guys add 1/4 wavelength radials to it for 20m and have got it to work on 17 & 20m too. See the eHam review of the A99 for evidence of efficacy.

I used a Imax 2000 (basically, a 5/8 wavelength version of the A99 antenna) on all of those bands except 20m. Your A99 might not be the most optimal antenna for 17 & 20m; but it will prove to be a usable antenna and utilize what you have to work with until you are ready to upgrade to something better. . .

[KM3F]

I'm sorry to hear all the attitude being diaplayed.
Things are what they are and no amount of 'enlightening' will change it. The major failure now is the clubs giving the test without support and follow through.
Happens all over.
.
Consider keeping the Antron for your future use on 10 meters where you have 28.300 to 28.500 to operate with your ticket in single side band phone.
A low cost mobile antenna on a mount that includes 4 20 inch radials under the antenna and mounted off the side of your pole at about 5 feet or more will get you on the air.
Or assemble a 2m antenna with the radiating element at 19 inches and the radials at 20. Place radials at about 45 degress and adjust angle for a lowest SWR
Use larger lower loss coax cable to keep the loses down.
You will have two cables but use them on seperate radios, in most cases.
Good luck.

[KF5OUP]

Many Thanks for the information. I will scrap my plans for using the Antron on 2 meters. I think I will try to build one of the ones mentioned in one of the replies. I learned much today and it is appreciated.

[KB2FCV]

Many Thanks for the information. I will scrap my plans for using the Antron on 2 meters. I think I will try to build one of the ones mentioned in one of the replies. I learned much today and it is appreciated.

Good to hear you have a plan! Antennas are a lot of fun to build. I had a 1/4 wave ground plane for many years.. I still do. I'd save the Antron for trying out on HF. It sounds like you might be able to repurpose it for that if you ever get your general. I'm not sure how it will perform but that's the whole point.. try it and see! You might find it works ok on HF, or it might lead you to want to try building another antenna. Good luck on building the 2m antenna. 73