CompacTenna VHF/UHF Stealth But EFFECTIVE antenna, Review and On-Air Test, Ham Radio Antenna 

Thank you, David.

Thank you, Don.

But that's not a Corvette

The Fiskar sedan has that low Corvette look.

Thank you, Ryan.

May I ask what year CRV and how & where are you mounting it on the vehicle? 73 de KD2OGN

Thank you, Troy.

Thank you, granitebuilt.

If you're talking about 2-meters it sounds like you were using a base loaded 5/8 wave antenna and switched to a 1/4 wave antenna. If so, most 5/8 wave antennas typically offer 3dB gain while a typical 18-19" 1/4 wave is a unity gain antenna (NO gain). Normally a 5/8 wave will always outperform a 1/4 wave antenna but depending on where it's mounted a 1/4 wave can work every bit as well as a 5/8 wave. I used to have a 5/8 wave antenna mounted in the center of my trunk lid but I changed to a shorter 1/4 wave and relocated it to the center of the roof of my vehicle where it worked every bit as good as the trunk-mounted 5/8 wave. WHERE you mount it means everything.

@Rogeball PB Gimmick antennas have been around just as long, and are nonsense.

Thank you, Jack

And that antenna probably won't work well on an all-fiberglass Corvette. No counterpoise/ground plane.

Thank you, Chip. Have a Great Day!

Ya the marketing wank is strong in the literature for this product.

Thank you, 'Ortwein International'.

Hello 'pghhdvideo'. I am glad you witnessed the 'smoothing' effect of peaks and nulls in signals, reduced flutter. But I am sorry you are not overall pleased. That is actually proportionately quite rare. Perhaps some thoughts here may be of help to you. You are correct that the vehicle can make a difference. So can the mount. For years NMO mounts were rated up to ~1,000MHz. Then, with WiFi, higher frequency Cell communications, etc. newer NMO mounts were designed with higher frequency, microwave capabilities up to 3 and 6GHz. Such is like the one you are using with a flat-top center pin that removes to convert it from a VHF/UHF (~1GHz) to a high frequency mount. They work very well at microwave frequencies. Extensive experience has shown that some of this style work fairly well below 1,000MHz with the flat-top center pin in place, but sometimes not as well (SWR, etc.) as the 'standard' style made for VHF/UHF up to ~1GHz. [They are designed for specially made microwave NMO base connector antennas with a 'tiny' diameter center pin with the flat-top center pin of the NMO mount removed. If one tries this style NMO mount with its center flat-top center pin removed, SWR and performance will worsen, because the leaf-spring style center lead of the antenna base connector will not make direct contact with the tiny recessed-in-the inner dielectric hole of the NMO mount!] Even more recently were developed NMO mounts that are rated to 3GHz//6GHz where there is a smaller diameter center connection than the old style ones that is not removable, but is designed for VHF/UHF and up to microwave frequencies as is. They are quite good. Also, as good as magnet mounts can be, permanent style through-hole, L-bracket/adjustable mounts with screws into the metal of the vehicle are often optimum. If you are thinking about going that route regardless of what antenna you use, try the COMPACtenna again and see if you then indeed have very good SWR's. See: compactenna.com/installations/

@@dr.jacknilsson1970 I have ordered the the exact same mount shown in this video that has the center pin and not a flat top connector like the Larsen mount. It should be here tomorrow. We will see if that makes a difference. I will post the results.

@@pghhdvideo Thank you Sir. I hope it makes at least enough difference for you to be happy overall. :-)

@@dr.jacknilsson1970 So I received the exact same mag mount that’s used in this video today and tested SWR on all three bands against the Larsen mag mount that I was using. It is noticeably worse on all bands with the Diamond mag mount used in this video than the Larsen mount that I was using which was still not acceptable. My vehicle is a 2019 Chevy Blazer. The entire roof is steel and the sides of the vehicle are also steel. The mag mount is located on the leftmost rear corner of the steel roof. I tried moving the mag mount around and at no point was the SWR acceptable on any band except for a few spots in the 220 band which I do not use. So at this point I’ve spent $99 on the antenna and another $50 on an additional mount only to find out that nothing has improved. I can only report my findings and have the data to prove it from my RigExpert AA-600 antenna analyzer. I had high hopes for my purchase but also felt like maybe my suspicions wold be correct. I hate to be a nay sayer but I get to be because I paid for the antenna. If you think something is wrong with my antenna then I would welcome trying a replacement but I this point I feel like it was a waste of money for my application. I would be the first to post praise about this antenna if it worked. It’s an interesting concept and Dr. Jack’s enthusiasm can be infectious. I’ve written a lot of reviews for many products most of which have been favorable but this is one product I just can’t get behind. I’d really like to try some of his other products but it’s obvious why this is probably my first and last Compactenna purchase.

@@pghhdvideo I'm sorry for your experience, 'pghhdvideo'. Your original SWR of 1.7 at UHF (440 band) is good with this COMPACtenna, and the 2 meter band SWR's of 1.9-2.1 are very close to desirable. It is always good to check SWR specifications per the radio used, which often is recommended at

Hi Mikel, I think you're talking about another manufacturer's antenna. You are correct about 'standard technology' loaded antennas, they are very narrow in bandwidth. COMPACtenna is different.

Oh, well... we all have that car!

Yes, what Corvette that you know has 4 doors? 😂

Thank you, Walter.

Thank you, Reid.

@@dr.jacknilsson1970 Hi do you have any advice for those of us with newer Ford trucks with the aluminum bodies? I have a fiberglass camper shell on the back of mine that I could mount to, or a trailer hitch... Ideas?

Thank you, AJ.

Pretty sad you think CB is incompetent I mean come on guy, I talk to plenty of educated CB operators every day while mobile and unfortunately they are all hams that say the same thing "all the other hams think the bands are dead so we all come to 11 meters to continue our fun"

Thank you for your interest in this new Science & Technology. In an era where we have seen mainly innovation for the past 50 years, please keep an open mind to invention, such as we saw more of in the late 1800's and early 1900's. - - - HF antennas mounted at a corner of a common sized vehicle are indeed somewhat directional, due to the expanse in only one direction (the opposite corner area) being on the order of ¼ wavelength 'pulling' by resonance-interaction as the counterpoise, the signal in that direction. This is seen, for example with 10 meter Ham Radio and 11 meter CB Radio antennas. However, with COMPACtenna models 2M/440, 2M/220/440 and SCAN-III, each with the high-voltage point so close to the ground plane counterpoise, positioning the antenna near one of the corners (multiple options, "a good thing"), improves SWR and performance especially at VHF frequencies. Such a position at the corner utilizes metals 'projecting' in various directions as overall similar to a ground plane adapter kit with the radials bent downward (see COMPACtenna.com …Use of this technology in base station configuration). And because the vehicle downward (~ dipole-like) metal and side-ward metal dimensions are multiple wavelengths in dimension at these frequencies, one sees final/overall results that are substantially omni-directional.

@@HamRadioConcepts - I used to have a CB license, and I know that the reason that the FCC gave up on licensing CB was that most people on 11M did not use their callsign. They used a "handle" which was a made up name to conceal their identity. That is how it became known as the "Criminal Band." Originally, the Citizens Band was established for necessary personal and business communications, NOT hobby. When the FCC gave up on it and stopped issuing licenses, they said "It's OK now, you can use if for hobby uses", knowing full well that they were going to do it anyway.

I believe that a Larsen 1/4 wave whip is initially cut to 19" for 2 M, and then trimmed from there for best SWR. Placing the antenna on the center of the roof would provide the best omnidirectional pattern, then adjusting it's length would fine tune the SWR. To quote an old song: "What's the matter with kids today?"

Thank you, Corey.

Hello Jeff. Thank you for your comments. I also wasn't sure at first, but when listening again, the 'third' station, "Dennis" was able to hear Eric when Eric transmitted with the 7.5" COMPACtenna, but not with the 48" 5/8 wave antenna. That said, signal strengths with W2JKZ were a little less with the 7.5" antenna than with the 48" antenna. What Eric demonstrated here with just a couple station locations is the fascinating ability of the COMPACtenna technology to "smooth out" signal strengths. Peaks are lower, yet very low/non-existent signals/connections become usable. And this applies also to working the same station while the vehicle is in motion in the dynamically obstructed world we live in. COMPACtenna.com discusses this science, as well as the presentation to The San Antonio Radio Club: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xWWPbeZ-xC0.html . Much appreciation to Eric for his outstanding work on his videos. And thank you, Jeff for your interest.

@@dr.jacknilsson1970 Thanks for the reply. Also, have you ever though about making a marine version of this for Marine radio? I think this sort of antenna would take off for smaller boats that didn't want to have to deal with the larger whips. If it was Marine Band and AM/FM band as well that would be a double bonus. Take care.

Hi Jeff, boaters have been very pleased with the model SCAN-III on a base station adapter kit with the radials bent downward to 70° below the horizon. See COMPACtenna.com and the installs page. They realize the benefit of this technology capturing signals that are affected/altered by the waves because of it’s diverse/elliptical polarization. This in addition to not losing signals as with longer “ high gain” antennas with compressed elevation coordinate pattern that ‘shoot signal’ into the sky and down into the water as the vessel rocks in the water.

@@dr.jacknilsson1970 Just ordered the tri-band antenna for my truck to use with a AnyTone AT-D578UVIIIPlus and can't wait to get it in. I've got another question for you to try and make sure I'm getting the most out of the antenna... I've got a Ford F150 with an aluminum body. Since it's not magnetic should I look to install NMO ground plane radials or a steel plate of some sort at the base?

Aluminum Ford does pose a problem for antenna mounts. Someone needs to market some options for Ford owners.

@@peterrock2838 Model No. Vmp-Mam-F150-2015-Nocam-Wht By Larson Electronics worked very well on my 2017 F-150. Works well with mag mounts or NMO mounts.

@@JimWeslager I will check that out. Thanks!

I’ve been looking at steel plates with 3M VHB tape to stick them to the roof. That’s all that should be needed to stick a mag mount to it.

@@JeffLatimer I found this www.larsonelectronics.com/. Would allow magnetic mount, easy removal for car wash. Getting new F-150 and definitely don’t want hole or scratch. This mount goes over top tail light

Hello Paul. Thank you. I hope you continue to have many fun and enriching communications with this COMPACtenna technology!

Hi Danny. There are a number of mounting considerations on the COMPACtenna website INSTALLS page.

Thank you Bill. If other manufacturers were as technically specific you may well have similar concerns with those antennas as well in your circumstance.

@@dr.jacknilsson1970, is it a heat dissipation issue? If so, is there a way to reimplement the housing with some sort of cooling fin design?

4" should be plenty, that's what I have

@@HamRadioConcepts how much is the cost ?

@@patrickbaer3742 : Let me Google that for you :) $100. Sorry, not nice. Great antenna, I have the triband version.

@@truck57us Thank you, truck57us. The 'flat style' NMO magnet mounts rated to 2500MHz such as the Laird Technologies GB8PI work well for many.

Occassionally my resellers run out of stock, and are then replenished. Presently this antenna is available: compactenna.com/#SCANIII

Hello, Many have had success with through-hole style mounts on the vehicle (cabin) aluminum metal roof. Also bracket style mounts with screws into the cab (cabin) metal can be very effective...Both near an upper corner of the roof.

@@dr.jacknilsson1970 thanks!

@@hithere7382 I hope you have many fun and enriching communications with COMPACtenna! :-)

Actually $119 for Ham Radio model 2M/440. $149 for the SCAN-III, designed for scanner receive radios of I. Civilian, II. Commercial, and III. Government communications. $199 is for model LMR-I, precisely tuned for Land Mobile Radio Transmit/Receive on VHF 136 - 174 MHz, UHF 378 - 512 MHz, and 750 - 960 MHz. USA designed, patented and made. Have a nice day.

The mag mount looks like it has a Larsen connector. You would have to actually see it to be sure. The advantage of the Larsen is that they sell rain caps that you can put on in place of the antenna to get through the car wash. No, I don't use a mag mount, I have three Larsen bases in my roof.

Hello Guitstik. That applies to the HF antennas. With appropriate installation, models 2M/440, 2M/220/440, & SCAN-III are great for vehicles underway.

@@dr.jacknilsson1970 thank you for correcting me. I'm new to all of this having just passed the Technician test last week and I don't know yet what is a need and what is a want but I think your antenna is a need😁

Thank you for your kind words, Guitstik.

@@dr.jacknilsson1970 I bought the 2M/220/440 now I need a radio to go with it 😆.

Hi Adam. You'll be happy to know that through-hole 'hard' NMO mounts are actually often optimal.

@@dr.jacknilsson1970 Is there a way to mount center roof with NMO hard mount and get 1:1 or close? Just curious before I drill. Thanks

@@JaxWatchesandEDC Many have had success with through-hole style mounts on the vehicle (cabin) metal roof. Also bracket style mounts with screws into the cab (cabin) metal can be very effective...Both near an upper corner of the roof.

Occassionally my resellers run out of stock, and are then replenished. Presently this antenna is available: compactenna.com/#SCANIII

Hello Edward. Occassionally my resellers run out of stock, and are then replenished. Presently this antenna is available: compactenna.com/#SCANIII

Occassionally my resellers run out of stock, and are then replenished. Presently this antenna is available: compactenna.com/#SCANIII

What's the question buddy?

@@HamRadioConcepts, I have one. Is the transmit time limitation a heat-related one, i.e. in hot summer environments it isn't going to be as efficient as it would in colder climes? I specifically have my transceiver for desert trips, so ambient heat definitely plays a factor. Did you feel how warm the antenna housing got after a 60 second transmit?

Hello Steamzombie1838. Magnetic and electric fields of the albeit distinctly different quantum aspects/properties of the near and far fields are inter-related. It is my modeled understanding of "instant" vs. (~ per medium) speed-of-light gauge Bosons differentiation and inter-relationships that lead to my creation of the "Magnetic Field Resonator" and EM field diversity that allows such wideband and unexpectant high performance, particularly in the NLOS (Non-Line-Of-Sight) environment with such small antennas. Please keep an open mind to shift from innovation, predominant over the last 50 years, to invention as we saw so much more of in the late 1800's and first part of the 1900's.

@@dr.jacknilsson1970 I do have an open mind I believe you have to ride the wave of change or get swept below it and drown as a ignorant has been. I just didn't see any real explanation and that sets my woo radar off. Thank you for putting me on a path to research this more as I couldn't find any information relating to the subject with regards to antenna theory.

Sounds good steamzombie👍🏻

All I can say is, you haven’t seen my daily driver. I have more antennas than you, more attention than you and more performance than you on my daily driver van compared to yours. All I said was my diesel that I put $12,000 into, didn’t need to have 11 antennas on it. Yes, my daily driver has eleven antennas on it.

@@HamRadioConcepts next time i`m in your area ill look you up. im hooking up radios in my camper as we speak. ILL HELP YA PUT SOME ANTENNAS ON THE TRUCK. LOL.. GIVE ME ANTENNAS OR GIVE ME DEATH!!!

Attractive NMO rain caps are available.