Ed,

I have experimented with it on satellites, and it does indeed work. Mostly, I use it for terrestrial use over what was a marginal connection. Works great for that. The only factor I have found is that due to its length, it "works" the BNC connection pretty hard. I found a small o-ring at the local hardware which is a perfect fit when the connection is in place to give a secure electrical and mechanical connection with a bit of give.

Alan WA4SCA

Hi Ed,

You would do a lot better if you bought an Arrow II antenna. I just don't think any single element antenna will give you enough gain to receive, much less transmit. You don't want to be the guy calling CQ CQ CQ who can't hear the many responses, and is finally ignored.

Get the one with the built-in duplexer for use with an HT. http://www.arrowantennas.com/146-437.html You'll probably need a cable, too. Not sure who sells them. Probably Arrow, or make your own from connectors.

I have absolutely no financial or personal interest with this company. I have bought one 440 antenna from them and it is well built. If there are other similar antennas, fine. But get one that has both bands and enough gain to make a difference.

Bob - AE6RV

--- Ed Tump ed@squaretfarm.com wrote:

Folks,

The local ham store has this in stock: Pryme Radio Products AL-800 Telescoping HT Antenna. I am thinking of picking it up tomorrow for the HT for sats as well as other uses. Anyone using it have good or bad things to say before I buy?

Warm regards,

Ed

KC9GWK Grid EN52

AmSat Member

---

Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

Ed,

I use my AL-800 quite frequently and am quite satisfied. The most recent use was during a bike trip on an old railbed along the Mississippi River in Wisconsin. I made quite a few contacts on that particular trip. The AL-800 telescopes small enough to fit in a pouch attached to my handlebars, with room to spare for my detached HT.

On car trips, I use an Arrow, which works better. While traveling by plane (or bike), I bring my AL-800 and HT, and have a blast. My only regret is that I still need most of the rare grids that I've activated over the years using my HT and AL-800!

73,

Dan AJ9K

---- Ed Tump ed@squaretfarm.com wrote:

============= Folks,

The local ham store has this in stock: Pryme Radio Products AL-800 Telescoping HT Antenna. I am thinking of picking it up tomorrow for the HT for sats as well as other uses. Anyone using it have good or bad things to say before I buy?

Warm regards,

Ed

KC9GWK Grid EN52

AmSat Member

_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb