RadioRanked verdict
Comet
Comet SBB-224NMO Tri-Band Mobile
The right antenna if you run a radio that transmits on 220 MHz and want one whip for all three bands. If you do not, a dual-band whip does the same job on 2m and 70cm without paying for the extra band.
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 914 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 | 0.45 λ | half wave |
| 1.25m223 MHz | 1344 mm | 0.68 λ | 5/8 wave |
| UHF435 MHz | 689 mm | 1.33 λ | multi-wavelength |
Decision helper
Is this antenna right for you?
Yes, if you're…
- ✓Operators with a 220 MHz capable mobile or handheld
- ✓Vehicles that need to fold the whip for garage clearance
- ✓One-antenna installs that need 2m, 220 and 70cm
Skip it, if you're…
- ✕Anyone who only uses 2m and 70cm
- ✕Buyers who want a ready-to-mount kit with mount and coax
Tradeoffs
The good and the bad
What we like
- Covers 2m, 220 MHz and 70cm on one NMO whip
- Fold-over hinge helps with garages and low structures
- 2m and 220 MHz gain claims are conservative against what the length supports
- A RepeaterBook bench test on a cookie sheet found it performed well on its marketed bands
What we don't
- Few radios transmit on 220 MHz, so the third band is unused for most buyers
- Factory-preset coils: SWR is changed by moving the mount, not by trimming the whip
- Comet's 6.0 dBi claim on 70cm is about 1 dBi above what the length supports
- NMO mount and coax not included
Ready to buy?
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Overview
The SBB-224NMO is Comet's tri-band mobile whip for 144, 220 and 440 MHz: 36 inches (914 mm) on an NMO base with a fold-over hinge, rated for 100 W. Comet claims 2.15 dBi on 2m, 3.5 dBi on 220 MHz and 6.0 dBi on 70cm.
Our length analysis puts the element at 0.45 wavelengths on 2m, 0.68 on 220 MHz and 1.33 on 70cm. That supports about 3.2, 4.9 and 5.0 dBi, so Comet's 2m and 220 claims are conservative, while the 6.0 dBi 70cm claim runs about 1 dBi above what the length supports. A RepeaterBook bench test on a cookie sheet found it performed well on the bands it is sold for.
Few radios transmit on 220 MHz, so check yours before paying for the third band. Comet warns that its dual- and tri-band coils are factory preset: if SWR is high, you move the mount rather than trim the whip. The NMO mount and coax are not included.
Specifications
| Frequency bands | VHF, 1.25m, UHF |
| Gain | 6.20 dBi |
| Connector | NMO |
| Length | 914 mm |
| Antenna type | mobile |
| color | Black |
| unitCount | 1 |
Key Features
- 36 in (914 mm) whip on an NMO base with fold-over hinge
- 0.45 wavelengths on 2m, 0.68 on 220 MHz, 1.33 on 70cm
- Comet claims 2.15 dBi on 2m, 3.5 dBi on 220 MHz, 6.0 dBi on 70cm
- 100 W power rating
- VSWR 1.5:1 or less (Comet's figure)
- Covers 144, 220 and 440 MHz amateur bands