2 meter antenna install and shootout 1/4 wave vs 5/8 - which is better? 

Why do you ‘bleep’ out your call sign when you show us your license plate?

I've been in ham radio for 25+ years and a 1/4 wave antenna can't be beat for the price and, low maintenance. I use the exact same antenna, being demonstrated in this video, and I paid $12(?) for it a few years ago. Over the years, I've tried different styles of single band, dual band and even a quad band antenna's but I still love the 1/4 wave for it's simplicity. I mentioned low maintenance, take a look at most ham radio antennas. They usually have coils, springs, plastic parts, etc., that can be damaged. I've had four antennas, over the years, get damaged in some form or fashion. The first one was a Larsen 5/8 wave that suffered a damaged base coil when it was struck by a tree limb. No external damage but the shock of the limb hitting it broke the coil internally. Within the past few days I had to replace a Comet SS680NMO dual band antenna as the braiding inside the spring was damaged as well as the spring loaded plunger inside the base. Unsure how it happened and only knew about it because I was getting bad signal reports. I mostly use VHF and UHF repeaters so I don't need a high gain antenna for simplex work. I keep the Comet available in case I'm on a road trip and want the extra gain or, in an area where I'm quite a distance from a repeater. My day to day use (repeater distance approx. 25 miles away) a 1/4 is just fine and yes, it can be used on UHF also:) I have a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with electric sunroof, and had to locate the NMO mount about 19(?) inches distance from the rear edge of the lift gate. My SWR is anywhere from 1.4 to 1.2 across the VHF band and, 1.5 to 1.3 across the UHF band. I've made similar comparisons, like in this video, of various antenna's and didn't notice much if any difference in transmitted or, received signal strength. Again, that's just my experience and YMMV. I love this 1/4 wave antenna as it's very stealthy and it blends in with the dark gray color of my vehicle.

I drive all over Kansas and Oklahoma in a little Ford transit van. I started with a 1/4, then went to a 1/2, then to a 6/8 antenna. Let me tell you, that 6/8 antenna is where it's at. I know my ranges with each of them and the 6/8 blows the rest away. When you need a lot more range get the Comet SBB7, I'm constantly surprising people every day with the range I get with this thing and it's noticeable against the others. I made a 80 mile contact over simplex and 80 mile contact to a repeater just last week.

Thanks for the video. I live in a very hilly area of Australia and did that same experiment here. I found that the 1/4 wave was better at the bottom of hills (valleys) and the 5/8 was better on mountain tops as it has a low radiation level. I normally have a 1/4 wave for the same reasons as you. I need to garage the car.

Back in '72 I tested a stock 1/4-wave as above and an Antenna Specialist 5/8-wave base loaded antenna on a full-duplex 25 watt VHF mobile phone unit to a repeater at 700 feet AGL. In town 12 miles away, the 1/4-wave was choppy in some places and the 5/8-wave was clear. Driving out of town, the 1/4-wave was choppy at 20 miles and lost it as 25. The 5/8-wave was choppy at 25 and lost it as 30. The 1/4-wave antennas last about a year and metal fatigue breaks the whip just above the rubber boot. Couple of years later tested several 5/8-wave antennas. The ASP with spring, Larsen and Decibel Products without springs. Driving off-road the ASP stayed straight but the Larsen and DB whipped around. We observed how much it whipped around and tied a fishing line and pulled the antennas the same amount. There was a 3-6 dB loss.

Years ago when I still had my Tacoma, I took down my 5/8 and put up a 1/4 wave because I knew I was going to drive into a parking garage at the Toyota Center. The 1/4 wave was fine when I entered the parking garage, but when I exited it got knocked down. On a road trip I would definitely use the 5/8 wave and use the 1/4 as a backup.

Many years ago I tried a similar comparison, in the city the quarterwave seemed to be an advantage, we attributed it to the less defined polar diagram perhaps being better for reflecting signal off buildings etc. The 5/8 seemed to have the edge in open countryside although perhaps with more flutter at higher speeds.

My experience over the last 25+ years = 1/4 Vs. 5/8 - not enough difference to justify matching the 5/8 to the system (on repeaters anyway). Good analysis.

I went with a 5/8 wave antenna but installed a spring-base between the loading coil and the whip. I just had to reduce the length of the whip by the height of the loading coil. That Laird quarter wave is not cut for the right frequency. Unfortunately you can't fix "too short" by trimming. If you are dead-set upon using a quarter wave antenna then buy one with a whip that you can trim to put it on frequency. Otherwise your MFJ analyzer is only telling you that you have the wrong antenna length and you are not going to do anything about it. I would not recommend the use of Nevr-Sieze. Most antennas (commercial ones) come with a little single use packet of silicone grease. Fill up that gap between the NMO and the antenna with silicone grease. It is non conductive and fills a void so water just can't get to the antenna internals (on a base loaded 5/8) or at the NMO mount.

Nice install. Using a 1/4 wave on top of my RV with a home built ground plane. Works great.

Good test. Nice video. Fact remains , a 5/8 wave has a gain over a 1/4 wave. And a different lobe angle ( main lobe is lower ) and stronger. But not so much as to nullify smacking into garages, trees etc! The height of the cab can make a big difference at vhf and uhf. Some cabs are a couple ft higher than many compact cars. That can give a couple miles more to mobile to mobile communications. After years of using all kinds of mobile setups big antennas matter. Its simple capture area and radiation angles. Also PLACEMENT on the vehicle. Matters. !!! Many db... Center roof wins. Exactly where you have it! 73s. K4DSB.

You are getting really good at these videos. Great video. Thumbs up.

Good follow through. Keep it up. Out here, among the trees and hills, I run a Laird 5/8 2m antenna on an actuator on my mobile. I have greater signal consistency with the 5/8 when leaves are on the trees, compared to previously using 1/4 wave 2m antenna at same mount point on vehicle.

Thanks for taking the time to do the test. Enjoyed the video!

As soon as you suppressed your call sign, that was enough for me!

Ham since 1969 Been Extra since 1983 and hold a First Class radio telephone and worked for Motorola. If you mount an NMO Motorola had a special hole saw that would cut a 3/4 hole and would scrape the paint where the brass nut would contact the roof. Also the absolute best 2 meter mobile antenna I have ever used was the Model CG-144 Hustler. I could use regular repeaters at 100 miles or more. Running Motorola Spectra 110 watts.

Been using a 1/4 wave on the roof of my truck for a long time. The roof makes a great reflector!

When operating far below a repeater's antenna I would think the 1/4 wave would be a better choice, because the lower angle of radiation of the 5/8 wave is going to decrease radiation at the higher angles - which is actually where the repeater antennas are relative to your mobile station on the ground. Of course, for hitting repeaters a long distance away, the 5/8 wave is likely to be superior to the 1/4 wave.

I think if repeater signal become stronger (in your radio) that mean your rx getting better, but not necessarily with your tx. As long as repeater can still picked your signal then no problem with your tx. YD0ACH 73

How long was the 5/8ths antenna? It looked long, may have been the camera angle

The radiation angle for a quarter wave is typically higher than for a 5/8 wave, so it’s quite possible that it could outperform the longer antenna on some repeaters.

Many times 1/4 and 5/8 wave will be pretty close. The real test will be in driving around. You may see some places you cant talk back from. However, you have a high profile car and this too makes a difference. All in all, good test. 73

if 1/4 wave antenna tune at higher frequency for given cut length , it probably due to weak ground connection. sometime, lengthening antenna a little bit ( make it slightly inductive ) to compensate for weak ground. often handheld antenna do that, since most handheld radio have weak/small ground. AG6JU

Focus man...send/receive benefits of 1/4 vs 5/8 ?

whats SWR on both.. only seen it on 1/4 wave.. both antennas would need to be exact SWR on same freq to get a proper signal reading and comparison

This may be the public safety band antenna you ordered, can't remember the model for it. I had that problem as well. I changed it for Laird QWB144

I pay attention to small details when it comes to vehicles and when I see an antenna mounted to the top of trucks/SUVs, I always suspect law enforcement but I guess that's not always the case.

My understanding is the 5/8 wave is superior in the quality of the signal while the car is moving. The signal strength between the two stationary should be similar. What would really test it is the audio quality from a moving transmission.

I hit the Warren repeater from my house in Smithfield, was able to speak with a Vermont station. Kc1joz here 73s

I have used both on my suburban, the 5/8 seems like it gets less picket fencing when moving. the 1/4 does seem to have a bit better low angle radiation

Btw laird antennas I believe are commercial antennas. That might be why it didnt come into good reasonance until 150mhz

Thanks for this, be interesting to hear your thoughts after 6 months or a year.

Yet another nice video. Great job on the antenna install.

that changing signal is ground wave scatter, wind blowing the antenna and other movements, also have an effect.. to test antennas an almost instant change of antenna is required. the time between the change of antennas was too long.. you may see a different signal of a repeater in the morning compared to afternoon... the rf stream can change its course... reflections blockages.. atmospherics.... these antennas are not in free space or close to it... neither antenna is working optimally

Great video….I’m just getting in to ham radio and was wondering what is the type/size coaxial cable you are using between radio and antenna?

Great! Thanks

Thanks for the video!

Im super new to all of this, havent even purchased my first radio yet. Decided this weekend to just go get my license, and started studying. Im taking the exam this thursday. Pretty sure Im going to order the Yaesu FTM 7250DR. So any recommendations on a good dual band antenna?

That was a good test no matter how unscientific it might have been. I think I might need an antenna analyzer someday. I think most do not do 70 CM but the one you have does a lot of the HF bands, correct? I have my general and by winter I would like to have a HF rig and antenna. I will have to go and watch your videos. I see you have some SDRuno videos. I started by playing with RTL-SDR and SDRSharp. I did not know what I was doing so all I could really get was some CB band, VHF and UHF with the thing. Clearly I was ignorant and also did not have the correct antenna. Thanks! Subbed and belled!

Another good video. I am considering a tri-band VHF/UHF mobile antenna for my GMC truck. I was reading on Comet’s web site that the tri-band antennas need to be moved around to adjust tuning. How do I do that with a NMO mount? I would think I am kind of committed once I drill that holes. Haha. I am impressed by the mounting of the Comet and the fold over (manual) that they have. This is one of 3 antennas I plan on mounting. One VHF/UHF mobile & 2 HF mobile antennas. The HF mobile will be mounted near the bumper (trying to figure that out). If you have any advice to share with this noob, please feel free. Again, thanks for your video.

First time I saw someone that refuses to let listen his callsign. Why?

With the two different angles of radiation, I suspect that operating simplex would be the most noticeable test.

Hi Rob, for the most part, I don't see much difference between the 2 when mounted on the roof. A good comparison, I like that the Laird has a solid brass flange, no chance in it cracking. good vid.

GOOD TEST GREETS ON5OC BELGIUM

My 1/4 wave lil wil wilson beats K40 5/8 wave on 11 meters. Easy. And its a lower price. Does size matter? Hummm...

What is the difference on 5/8 vs 1/4 is it the thickness of the stell antenna or the length or the bottom part ? In confused

Nice presentation. I am curious as to why you muted your call sign on the demonstration?

I'm having a lot of trouble finding basic information about what kind of antenna I need. I must be misunderstanding something, because I can't find the difference between 1/4, 1/2, and 5/8 wavelength antennas anywhere.

Will you be releasing an update video? How have you been liking the Laird? Going to be mounting a 2m to my truck roof soon.

How well does the 5/8 wave perform vs the 1/4? I routinely drive from Columbus Ohio to Cincinnati. My friends usually ride along via one of the main repeaters in Columbus. Currently, I'm using a 1/4 wave Tram dual band antenna which performs reasonable well. However, about half way to Cincinnati, they can no longer hear me. But, I can still hear them. So, I was just wondering if I got a higher gain antenna, if I'd be able to talk to them for at least as long as I could hear them. Any thoughts or information you share will be appreciated! Thanks

Interesting video. I've had better luck with the 1/4 wave in a mountainous environment.

Real hams drill holes on their roof.

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍💎

What about the 5/8 Wilson mag mount? Where would it compare to both?

Unless the 5/8ths is a piece of crap construction, then your question is easily answered. However, you ask which is better, not which is more efficient. So if you want a weenier that fits easily in your garage then the 1/4 is probably better.

Would this antennas work for cb as we’ll

Anyone ever try building a multi~wave antenna without using an antenna tuner? I have two ideas for this.

Get a splitter and run both.

Why would anyone who is licensed edit out their call sign in a video?

U show you, your car but your callsign is muted?

scared to reveal your call ?

This is TESTING ? really."

Why you cover your call sign I don’t understand

Why are you afraid to give your call sign? It's public ya know. All I have to do is look you up on the FCC ULS search engine and I can even be provided with your address. 73 K9POW.