"merlin-7" wrote in message
...
This is the problem I want to avoid, I could build my own but I do not
have
the time as in the next 6 months or so I will be moveing to NC and most of
my time is used up in painting etc. the home I am in now, getting ready to
sell it.
I need an antenna that can make contact with some of the repeartes here in
SC. (as band conditions permit)
I can, at times, get into some of the NC repeaters on my coliner vertical
at 50'. I was hopeing with a good beam at 70' (from NC) that I could
increase the odds...
Still looking for a good 2-m beam
Joe


While over your price range you may want to look at the M2 antennas. They
make a 9 element beam on a 14.5 foot boom and a smaller one for somewhat
less.

http://www.m2inc.com/index2.html

I put up the 9 element around 65 feet with the ssb set of elements (comes
with 2 sets of elements and you use the set for the end of the band you want
to use). It may pay to spend a little more for a good antenna that will
stay up than to replace one in 5 years. The antenna elements mount through
the boom on the plastic insulators. If made out of the same kind as the KLM
or Rutlan antennas I have used in the past , they should hold up for a long
time.

Also don't forget to use some good coax. I used the Bury-flex type. I just
don't like the copper coated aluminum of the LMR 400.