ProComm PT-99 PROTON – Fibreglass Base Station Antenna Review

ProComm PT-99 PROTON – Fibreglass Base Station Antenna

I have recently purchased a PT99 - seen this new Base Station Antenna which is very obviously a USA manufactured copy of the Antron A99. Unlike the Antron A99 it comes in 4 sections instead of 3 and is stated as tested in 90mph winds. The company states : "The ProComm PT-99 is a fibreglass, 1/2 wave station antenna for DX use - tuneable from 26-30 MHz. The antenna can be used for the 11-meter CB band and 10-meter amateur band.

Features / Specifications:

Frequency Range: 26-30 MHz tuneable
1/2 wave Omni-directional
Gain: 9.9 dBi
Power: 2000 Watt PEP
Materials: Fiberglass, Chromed-plated parts
Antenna Connector: UHF-female
Mounting: side-mount on masts with a diameter of Ø 40 mm
Height: 565cm"

Having had several Antron A99's in the past I was inclined to stick with what I know, but as it can get quite windy here in the Galloway Forest in Scotland and I have lose several A99's to wild weather and wind, I decided to give the P99 a try, as the 4 section P99 I thought would provide greater stability in high winds (less strain on each section).

The result of which I was more than pleasantly surprised. I mounted it 15ft from Ground level and my QTH is 411ft above sea level. My first contact was into Germany on FM miles 13EK013 Op Jorgan, RS5/9+10dB location North of Frankfurt followed by 13Fox001 in Nuremburg about the same distance again on FM RS5/9 (using 2/3 power on my CRT SS9900) on a FM Lift. I was very pleased with the way this P99 Antenna was performing. I have since worked into Puerto Rico RS5/9 on USB to 11SD30Y (4114 miles). I have had many other contacts since then, but have quoted these as examples of the Procom P99 Proton in Action. The antenna has since survived two storms with high winds to hit Scotland over the last couple of weeks, and I look forward to a long relationship with this Antenna, highly recommended. My punt away from the Antron A99 has paid off in my opinion.
108CT1529 Andrew

Hi Andy,

Thanks for sharing details of this antenna you've purchased and your own personal opinions on it. This can often help fellow members who are looking at the same product maybe ready to click that 'buy it now' button. Wink

From all accounts the old A99 had a mixed bag of reviews whether it was the original Antron or later Solarcon usually performing suitably when they first get it then later 'upgrading' to a 5/8ths antenna often after their original has failed.

Hopefully as you've suggested this P99 version lasts longer and I'm sure time will tell. Perhaps you can report back on it in the future to see how it has faired but I'm sure that if it's survived the recent Scottish storm blasts it should do well.

I see unfortunately that the manufacturers still stick to their wild gain claims and anyone in the know will read straight through the 9.9dBi apparent gain(!) It's still essentially a basic half wave antenna that can perform well even when mounted low so will cover local copies and does surprisingly well when some Sporadic E 'skip' action comes in. When some 'upgrade' to 5/8ths type of antennas they see that there local copy range improves but unless mounted high enough doesn't fare as well on the skip as a low mounted half wave.

Anyway, all interesting stuff and I'm sure that there'll be others that'll give their personal view on it too.

Thanks again for your input to the Charlie Tango forum, it's members input that really makes it all the grand place it is.

All the best,
Victor

Hi

I’m still using a A99 Solarcom which I switched back to FROM a 5/8ths as the 1/2 wave n my local was working better than the 5/8.

Antennas can be a mystery that work great in one person’s local and situation and poor in someone else’s.

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Gotta love the try it for yourself and see

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I am really happy with The procomm P99 I have had many Antron A99 over the years, but personally glad that I took the punt on the procomm. We are currently experiencing storms and high winds for the third time in tow weeks, I am happy that no damage has occurred and it does what it says on the box, stand up to 90mph gusts of wind, which we have our fair share of in Scotland lol. Cheers Andrew 108CT1529

I'd love to see the modelling of how they get 9.9dBi gain from a half-wave omni directional vertical over a half-wave dipole!

Victor wrote:: I see unfortunately that the manufacturers still stick to their wild gain claims and anyone in the know will read straight through the 9.9dBi apparent gain(!) It's still essentially a basic half wave antenna that can perform well even when mounted low so will cover local copies and does surprisingly well when some Sporadic E 'skip' action comes in. When some 'upgrade' to 5/8ths type of antennas they see that there local copy range improves but unless mounted high enough doesn't fare as well on the skip as a low mounted half wave.

43CT016
I'd love to see the modelling of how they get 9.9dBi gain from a half-wave omni directional vertical over a half-wave dipole!

Yup, 2.2dBi gain for any half-wave dipole, even if dB and dBi figures were interchangeable (they are not), more than 35 metres of RG-58 on its own would cause a negative gain overall, not even considering connector losses in PL-259 SO-239 above 7MHz

I suggest a large pinch of salt is required when looking at specifications provided to sell anything.

Next they will be selling cans of SWR Spray...

antenna - ProComm PT-99 PROTON – Fibreglass Base Station Antenna Review 462_610

This is the boy for the job.

antenna - ProComm PT-99 PROTON – Fibreglass Base Station Antenna Review Swr10

Just got a proton 99 not happy with band with but let’s see how it works
I sure my old Antron 99 30 years did 26 to 28 1.1 but will see
The starduster 27 probably been my best antenna from years ago

Hi All.
I have a Homebase A99 which works well here.
I’m only 11ft above sea level but when there’s no lift the antenna does well on only a 20 ft pole. The pole is made of aluminium 5ft sections and if these a bit of skip works even better dropping the height to only a 10ft pole. Just my experience at my QTH.

Be nice to see the difference but will just keep this for now
Might get a gainmaster next not sure 1/2 or 5/8