Diamond X30 vs X50?

[Hutchy]

Hi everyone,

Having a few problems trying to decide between the Diamond X30 and the Diamond X50.

The Diamond X30 quotes a gain of 3db on 2m and 5.5db on 70cm.

The Diamond X50 quotes a gain of 4.5db on 2m and 7.2db on 70cm.

The Diamond X50 is approx £15 more expensive than the X30.

Question:

Is the Diamond X50 worth an extra £15 over the X30, with the approx 1.5db extra on 2m and 70cm?

I'm hoping to mount an antenna on the side of the house (approx 35feet up).


Thanks!

Adam
MM6HUT

[2E0JTP]

Depending on where you buy it, it can be just £5 difference (X30 - X50).

X-30 Diamond 2m/70cm Fixed Station Vertical

* Frequency bands 2m/70cm * Gain 3/5.5dB * Power 150W * Type 1/2, 2x5/8 * Length 1.3m * Radial length 19cm * Mast size 30-62mm * Wind velocity 60m/sec * Weight 0.8kg

X-50 Diamond 2m/70cm Fixed Station Vertical

* Frequency bands 2m/70cm * Gain 4/7.2dB * Power 200W * Type 6/8, 3x5/8 * Length 1.7m * Radial length 19cm * Mast size 30-62mm * Wind velocity 60m/sec * Weight 0.9kg

Might as well go for the X50 unless you need a 40cm shorter antenna or want to save a fiver.

[G6NHU]

I'd go with the X50 every time. Gain on an aerial is important and you're getting more gain for not much more cost.

[5B4AJB]

Yes, the X50 is better, but, for 69 quid, you can get a SQBM500, like me.
This antenna is a whopping 2.5m and will make up for a long run of coax.

Nice review here.

[Lafayette]

A simple mathematical formula is to look at your situation, elevation, height above ground level, height above average terrain and then measure how far you wish to transmit.
Then figure the loss in the coax at X mhz vs how many feet of coax you are going to use for your install.

If your only goal in life is to talk 10 or 20 miles to your local repeater and there is nothing between you and it, then you don't need much of an antenna.

If at some point you would like to work DX or talk to someone that is mobile or portable - then you might want to consider the full Monte and get the X 500 antenna and some really good coax such as LMR 400 or Belden 9913 F-7.

What good is it to have a good antenna and then throw away a couple of DB in the line between the antenna and the radio?

[Hutchy]

Hi guys,

Thanks everyone for their input. I'm now considering a Sharman X-50 or a Sharman X-200.

Can get the X-50 for around £45 delivered or the X-200 for around £52 delivered. Just need to check with some people if I can get away with the extra height on the X-200. If so, i'm going to go for that

@Lafayette

I'm approx 450feet about see level and I plan to run RG213 as I'm only going to run a length of 15m. Don't want to spend 3-4 times the price on connectors for Westflex 103 cable in comparison to RG213, not when I'm running a short length.

Thanks Guys!
Adam
MM6HUT