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A beam (Yagi) antenna on the 2-meter band gives serious directional gain over a simple vertical — useful for weak-signal work, long-distance simplex contacts, and reliably hitting distant repeaters. Here are the beams hams most often recommend for the 144-148 MHz band, from budget verticals-with-a-boost to serious multi-element base-station Yagis.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M2 2M9X 9-Element Yagi | $200-$280 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Diamond A144S5 5-Element Yagi | $130-$180 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Cushcraft A148-20T 20-Element Yagi | $250-$350 | Amazon |
| 4 | Comet CY-2409A Compact Yagi | $90-$130 | Amazon |
The picks, in detail
M2 2M9X 9-Element Yagi
A high-gain 9-element Yagi frequently recommended for serious 2-meter weak-signal and long-distance work, covering SSB and FM portions of the band.
- 9-element Yagi design
- Covers 144/147 MHz SSB and FM segments
- Boom-mounted for base-station use
- High directional gain for long-distance contacts
- Well-regarded build quality
- Covers both SSB and FM well
- Large boom length needs a sturdy mast/tower
- Overkill for casual local repeater use
Diamond A144S5 5-Element Yagi
A well-regarded mid-size Yagi offering strong directional gain (about 9 dBi) in a more manageable boom length than the largest base-station beams.
- 5-element design, 37.5-inch boom
- 9 dBi gain rating
- All-weather aluminum construction
- Strong gain-to-size ratio
- Reasonable boom length for smaller towers/masts
- Durable outdoor construction
- Less gain than larger 9+ element beams
- Still needs a rotor for directional use
Cushcraft A148-20T 20-Element Yagi
A long-boom, high-element-count Yagi for hams chasing maximum gain for weak-signal DX and moonbounce-style work on 2 meters.
- 20-element Yagi
- Long boom for maximum directional gain
- Designed for serious weak-signal/DX work
- Among the highest-gain options for 2m beams
- Excellent for long-distance and weak-signal contacts
- Requires a substantial mast/tower and rotor to support the long boom
- Overkill for casual repeater access
Comet CY-2409A Compact Yagi
A more compact, easier-to-mount beam antenna for hams who want directional gain without a large tower setup.
- Compact multi-element design
- Lighter mounting requirements than large base Yagis
- 144 MHz band coverage
- Easier to mount on smaller masts or portable setups
- Good gain improvement over a vertical
- More affordable than large base-station Yagis
- Less maximum gain than the larger M2/Cushcraft beams
- Still directional, so needs manual or rotor-based aiming
Buying tips
- Higher element count and boom length generally mean more gain, but also more wind load and a heavier mount/rotor requirement — match the antenna size to what your tower or mast can actually support.
- A beam only helps in the direction it’s pointed, so pair it with an antenna rotor if you need to work stations or repeaters in multiple directions.
- For simplex long-distance or weak-signal SSB work, prioritize gain (more elements); for general repeater access, a smaller 5-element beam or even a good vertical may be all you need.
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