2 meter/commerical band antenna?

Question

Would a 1/4 wave mag mount whip antenna cut for the 144mHz ham band work for the commerical band as well (using freq. 151.715)? I am not up to speed on antenna theory just yet, but I'm getting there. If not, what would be a good design for the commerical freq. band? (for a mobile mount).

Thank You

Answer 1

If you want to use it for both ham and commercial it  probably will work but your SWR will be a bit high on the commercial band.  If you want to use it for commercial only, the good thing is that you can just shorten the antenna for the higher frequency.  It would be a good idea and go out and buy an inexpensive SWR meter and then tune the antenna by cutting it off at the bottom a half inch at at time and then try it until you get a reading near 1 to 1.5 or so.

Here is a good cheap SWR meter:

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.ph...

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/m...

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/m...

Before you go out and buy anything, just try it first on the commercial frequency and see if it well enough for you.  It might be OK.