Comet SBB-5NMO
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| Frequency | 144-148 MHz, 440-450 MHz |
| Type | mobile whip |
| Gain | 3 dBi (3.0 dBi VHF (1/2 wave), 5.5 dBi UHF (5/8 wave x 2)) |
| Polarization | vertical |
| Modes | FM, SSB, CW, digital |
| Length | 96.5 cm |
| Weight | 100 g (3.5 oz) |
| Connector | NMO |
| Mount | NMO roof mount |
| Year | 2012 |
| feedpoint | NMO |
One of Comet's most popular mobile antennas. 38 inches with a fold-over hinge, 3.0 dBi on VHF (1/2 wave) and 5.5 dBi on UHF (5/8 wave x 2), on an NMO mount. It is ground-independent (no ground plane required), and the open coil flexes to absorb brushes with branches. The black finish is unobtrusive, with 120W FM / 200W PEP handling. It is a mid-size dual-band that balances gain, height, and convenience.
38 inches may not clear low garages (the fold-over hinge helps). The NMO mount needs a hole or an NMO lip mount. Less gain than the 47-inch SBB-7NMO. Performance is a compromise versus a dedicated monoband antenna.
A popular mid-size NMO dual-band antenna. The SBB-5NMO balances gain and height well. The fold-over, ground-independent design and open coil make it practical for daily mobile use, and it is one of Comet's best-sellers.
The Comet SBB-5NMO is one of the most popular dual-band mobile antennas in amateur radio, a 38-inch 2-meter and 70-centimeter whip on an NMO mount that balances real gain against a manageable height. It delivers about 3.0 dBi on 2 meters and 5.5 dBi on 70 centimeters, meaningfully better than a short stubby mobile antenna, while staying short enough to live on a vehicle without constant garage worries.
The NMO mounting standard is the key to its appeal: NMO is the professional mount used across public-safety and commercial radio, so the SBB-5NMO drops onto any NMO base (through-roof, magnetic, lip, or trunk) giving a clean, low-loss connection. It handles up to 120 watts on FM and uses the vehicle body as its ground plane. For a permanent, good-performing dual-band mobile antenna, it is a default recommendation.
It is a current product and a longtime favorite. The compact mag-mount Comet M-24M is the smaller, lower-gain sibling, and the tall Diamond SG7900A is a higher-gain alternative.