IPX6

Procedure For Use with Rat Tail:
(Rat Tail is only available for the SMA-F and SMA-M bases)

Here is what the Smiley base connectors look like, and how they attach to the main body of the standard antenna:

The regular IPX6F antennas have the clear tubing applied as one contiguous piece that goes right to the base (and forms a shroud that acts as a dust cap with the SMA-M base). This means that the Smiley base cannot be detached from the main body of the antenna like it can with a regular Smiley (middle picture above) unless you circumsize the antenna with an exacto knife blade 25mm up from the bottom. This can be done if you later decide you want to add a Rat Tail to your antenna.

In the picture above, you can see how we make a Rat Tail from a Smiley Base connector. If you are ordering a Rat Tail along with your antennas, you will need to circumsize the antenna with an exacto knife.

A video showing the process is available in our Youtube Channel.

The IPX6 antenna stock is supplied to us by Smiley, and is the same process as used for the specialized antennas originally developed for use for armed forces special Ops teams. They are center tuned and must be matched to your transmit frequency of the channel you are using in the same way. The CPC300 dual walled adhesive reinforcing slightly affect the gain properties (due to the change in velocity factor): the SWR is maintained within -.2 by adjusting the center tuned length to account for the increased velocity factor consequence (Vp=.66) of the additional Polyolefin tubes. As a result of this, the jacketed IPX6 antennas are shorter in length than the naked 5/8 wave S&R antennas. The antennas are color coded. The upper tube section is colored as follows, and the lower section has the frequency range printed under the clear CPC300 tubing:

The center tuned frequencies and matching color codes are as follows:
145MHz:(Range: 140-150 For Ham) Black
150MHz:(Range: 145-155) Black
155MHz:(Range: 150-160)Blue
160MHz:(Range: 155-165) Red
165:(Range: 160-170) Green
170:(Range: 165-175) Yellow
175:(Range: 170-179) White
465:(Range: 460-469) No Color code (1/4 wave, standard rubber duck, not available as IPX6)

The 3 Packs can be ordered as 'A', or 'B':
'A' = 145-155, 155-165, 165-175
'B*' = 150-160, 160-170, 170-179 or, you can mix and match, for example, any 3 antennas can qualify for 3 pack pricing.

* Some users find they would better value from the 'B' pack by having the third antenna tuned to 165-175 because their radio does not transmit above 175, so this is also possible, just leave a note when you order if you'd prefer that option.

How to choose:
The IPX6 has become our most popular model, outselling the standard 5/8 wave by 100 to one! The reason is because most of our clientele are hard on their antennas, and, like the Navy Seals this model was originally designed for, they cannot afford to have equipment failure in the field.

"John, to be truthful, I was undecided about the value in upgrading to your IPX6 and only got them because your standard 5/8 was out of stock. My first impression was you sent me the ugliest antenna I have ever seen. But on the first day, after the ship dropped us on the ridge, I pulled my radio from my pack and did a radio check with our Tail Gunner before we did our last client brief. One of the clients later said to me, 'I see from your gear you guys have upped your game over the other operations. My wife also noticed, so I guess we know where we go again next year!'
- It seems like your 'ugly duck' is carving a reputation as the esoteric tool for the advanced guides, and therefore earned it's place in our gear quiver. I suppose, based on the cult status it has apparently given us, it is becoming a status symbol, and has already paid for itself many times over." -W.W.