[ICOM] AH-2B price

Fri Aug 3 14:52:20 EDT 2007

It seems to me a key question for anyone considering an AH2B is this:

Is the $349 Icom wants for the AH2B going to deliver a better antenna and 
more performance than similarly priced Hi-Q or screwdriver antennas that 
already come with the ability to tune the antenna?

Obviously, one consideration is the lower profile of the AH2B than those 
with large center or base coils. If that's worth having to pay the price of one 
of those antennas, even with having to pay, what, $250 for the AH4, that's 
not necessarily a bad decision.

Guess it just comes down to cost vs. benefits, like anything in life.

73, kelly
ve4xt

> From: "Ken Kinyon" <w7ts at comcast.net>
> Date: 2007/08/03 Fri AM 11:42:40 CDT
> To: "ICOM Reflector" <icom at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: RE: [ICOM] AH-2B price
> 
> Thanks Pete and everyone else who commented.,
> I sure wish I could see one of these in person.  Maybe it would work for 
me.  I
> am planning an installation in my fiberglass travel trailer.
> I have just ordered the AH-4 which I am planning to mount in a storage
> compartment at the rear of the trailer with a ground to the trailers metal
> frame.  The antenna, whatever it is will be mounted to the metal bumper
> (actually part of the frame) about 1 foot away.  I don't think the antenna 
will
> even know that the fiberglass shell is there.  I am going to make an 
extension
> for the AH-4 control cable and feed line, So I can operate from the tow 
vehicle
> (a Dodge Ram). When towing and in motion.  I will also be able to move 
the AH-4
> to the truck (in the bed), when not towing.  I have several ideas about 
mounting
> the antenna on the truck. I looking for any ideas or things to think about 
in
> this installation.
> Thanks,
> Ken W7TS
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Peter Sneed
> Sent: Friday, August 03, 2007 09:30
> To: ICOM Reflector
> Subject: Re: [ICOM] AH-2B price
> 
> 
> K1GAX,
> 
> My experience with the AH-2B, AH-4 and 706MKIIG has been excellent.   
During
> mobile operations in my F-150 p/u, I've work VK, JA, ZL, all over Europe 
&
> South America and Antarctica on 40 meters.  On 80 meters, I've work 
most of
> the US, Canada, Caribbean and Central America.  Also have worked 
into Europe
> and Hawaii.  All while mobile in NY, VT, NH, ME and Ont & Que.
> 
> Granted, the whip and mount is a bit pricey but the quality and 
ruggedness
> are superb.  The ICOM bumper mount earned its keep when a clod 
yakking on a
> cell phone tail ended me in his Volvo wagon.  The mount went thru his 
grill
> and radiator.  The only damage to my equipment and truck was a small 
dent in
> the bumper and a lot of Volvo paint on the bumper and antenna mount.  
The
> Volvo went away on a tow truck.  I drove home.
> 
> Pete - K2YSY
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "K1GAX" <k1gax at juno.com>
> To: <icom at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: August 03, 2007 2:59 AM
> Subject: Re: [ICOM] AH-2B price
> 
> 
> Performance with any of the Icom mobile tuners/antenna leaves 
something to
> be desired, especially on 75 and 40 meters.  They work fairly well on 20
> through 10.  That would apply also to the average 102" stainless whip, 
as
> well.
> 
> -- popsbh at comcast.net (Bill popsbh at comcast.net) wrote:
> What about RX
> 
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: "K1GAX" <k1gax at juno.com>
> 
> > A. Is longer than the average 102" stainless whip and is much heavier 
duty
> > (makes the average CB stainless whip look "wimpy")
> > B. The base is something comparable to a military mount (much 
heavier duty
> > than
> > a standard ball mount - looks like something that belongs on a 
military
> > Hummer).
> > C. The mount for the base is very heavy duty. Bolts directly to the frame
> > of a
> > vehicle and is quite adjustable (I've used the mount for the base as an
> > attachment point to pull my vehicle out of a ditch).
> > Overall, I'd say the entire antenna and mounting system meets or 
exceeds
> > military specifications. If you're looking for an almost indestructible
> > antenna
> > system, the AH-2B is for you. Well worth it if you're looking for
> > something
> > that lasts. I've had mine on various vehicles since 1993 and other than 
a
> > slight cleaning every so often, it's still working like new.
> > 73, Bryce, K1GAX
> >
> > -- "Ken Kinyon" wrote:
> > Perhaps someone who has seen one, could tell me if there is a good 
reason
> > why
> > the AH-2B whip is over $300.00.
> > Thanks,
> > Ken W7TS
> >
> > -------------------
> > Kenneth E. Kinyon
> > 34 Princeton Circle
> > Longmont, CO 80503-2106
> > -----------------------
> > E-mail: W7TS at comcast.net
> > ------------------
> >
> > ----
> > Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> > Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> > Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> >
> > ----
> > Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> > Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> > Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> 
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> 
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> 