RadioRanked verdict
Comet
Comet SBB-1NMO Compact Dual-Band Mobile
A compact whip for people who value clearance over range, and a better match on 70cm than on 2m. If you can spare a little more height, the 18.5-inch Comet SS-460SBNMO is the next step up.
Proprietary RR score
How we scored it
Performance is derived from the antenna's length in wavelengths on each band it covers, not from the advertised gain. How we score →
Length versus wavelength
What 406 mm Buys You
An antenna radiates according to its length measured in wavelengths, not according to the number on the packaging. Here is where this one lands on each band it covers.
| Band | Wavelength | This antenna | Works out as |
|---|---|---|---|
| VHF146 MHz | 2053 mm | 0.20 λ | electrically short |
| UHF435 MHz | 689 mm | 0.59 λ | 5/8 wave |
Decision helper
Is this antenna right for you?
Yes, if you're…
- ✓High roofs on trucks, vans and SUVs
- ✓Low-clearance garages and parking structures
- ✓Low-power mobiles and handhelds on a vehicle adapter
Skip it, if you're…
- ✕Operators who want the most 2m range from a mobile antenna
- ✕Small cars with little roof area for a ground plane
- ✕Buyers who want a ready-to-mount kit with mount and coax
Tradeoffs
The good and the bad
What we like
- Only 16 inches tall, so it clears low garages and branches
- Flexible rubber-coated whip absorbs light contact
- 70cm element at 0.59 wavelengths is a respectable length for a short whip
- NMO base fits standard magnetic, trunk-lip and roof mounts
What we don't
- 2m element is only 0.20 wavelengths: electrically short and dependent on the roof ground plane
- NMO mount and coax not included
- Factory-preset coils: SWR is changed by moving the mount, not by trimming the whip
Ready to buy?
Fast Prime shipping, no-questions-asked returns through Amazon.
Overview
The SBB-1NMO is the short end of Comet's dual-band NMO range: a 16-inch (406 mm) whip in a flexible rubber coating, rated for 60 W. Comet claims 1.5 dBi on 2m and 2.15 dBi on 70cm, and says plainly that it is for people who do not need a lot of range but do need convenience.
Our length analysis agrees on the trade. At 0.20 wavelengths the 2m element is electrically short, so it leans on the roof as a ground plane and our model credits about 0.7 dBi, below Comet's 1.5 dBi claim. On 70cm it is 0.59 wavelengths, and our model credits more than Comet's 2.15 dBi claim.
It suits a truck, van or SUV with a high roof, a low-clearance garage, or a low-power mobile. Comet notes that its dual-band coils are factory preset, so the only way to improve SWR is to move the mount. The NMO mount and coax are not included.
Specifications
| Frequency bands | VHF, UHF |
| Gain | 2.15 dBi |
| Connector | NMO |
| Length | 406 mm |
| Antenna type | mobile |
| Flexible | Yes |
| color | Black |
| unitCount | 1 |
Key Features
- 16 in (406 mm) flexible whip on an NMO base
- 0.20 wavelengths on 2m, 0.59 wavelengths on 70cm
- Comet claims 1.5 dBi on 2m and 2.15 dBi on 70cm
- 60 W power rating
- VSWR 1.5:1 or less (Comet's figure)
- Covers 144 to 148 MHz and 430 to 450 MHz