My very first amateur hand-held antenna test. :)

[MrGClips]

This non-scientific test was made inside my place checking for reception quality of commercial radio stations, FRS/GMRS, the NOAA weather channel and scanning various official channels. I've used the following for this test:

- Radio: Baofeng BF-F9 V2+ handheld dual-band radio.
- Antennas:
#1: Stock
#2: Nagoya NA-810 2.5-Inch Mini-Whip VHF/UHF
#3: Nagoya NA-771R 16-Inch Retractable/Telescopic
#4: Nagoya UT-308UV 22-Inch Magnetic Mount

#1: The stock antenna had difficulties receiving anything at all! I had to move around for getting ANY reception, and even then whatever came through was with strong noise.

#2: The mini (and VERY flexible) 2.5" Nagoya provided the same quality, so despite its tiny size, it's just as good (or bad) than the rather rigid and 2 X longer stock antenna. For small distances I can imaging using it when range is not a concern, because its flexibility and small size. I like it!

#3: The 771R, which is the retractable version of the "famous" 771, did better, but NOT much better than the stock and the small antennas. I expected stronger reception from this model. Maybe outside it would have been different, but inside, maybe 2 X better coverage, needed less movement for reception, but nothing I would call "great" about it.

#4: This 22" magnetic base one was the clear winner! No doubt about it! Inside just putting it on a glass table (even though it requires a metal surface to work) the difference was already obvious. Then, placing it on top of a metal shelf, the reception was significantly better compared to all of the others. MUCH better!

Then I put it outside the window on top of the air conditioner, which delivered absolute superior reception quality all over the board! Crystal clear on every channel! Fantastic reception quality!

Since I don't have a Ham license yet, I couldn't conduct transmission tests, but based upon these results, I would imagine the same, with the mobile magnetic Nagoya UT-308UV to be the winner hands down.

My only disappointment was the 771R. I expected a LOT MORE and a lot better from it. And YES, they are all original green bagged antennas, made in Taiwan, not some cheap Chinese knock-offs.

I attach a couple of pics, one is mine, the others are catalog images.

PS: I love being a newbie, I can discover all these things one step at a time.

 

[mmckenna]

Sounds like you did some good testing.

Just goes to show you how well a simple 1/4 wave antenna on a good ground plane actually works. Small hand held radios don't supply a sufficient ground plane for these antennas to work well on VHF. Mount that outside your car and you'll see why so often we try to convince people to install a decent antenna properly outside the vehicle. Too many ignore this.

 

[MrGClips]

The difference is day and night with the magnetic 22" Nagoya! I was hoping for a higher performance compared to the stock antenna with reasonable expectations, but hearing it compared to the stock and even the others in real life is a whole different experience! And this antenna cost me like $25 or something?

I would imagine that these modern handheld radios with their 4-5-8 watt outputs, combined with a good external antenna, at home or in the car, are plenty enough to reach a good distance even within larger cities full of obstructions, and if the radios can reach a repeater, then range problems are solved right there. Of course, I'm just theorizing since I haven't got any experience yet.

On the weekend we've tested out my little Motorola walkies and we've had somewhat noisy, but still understandable communications around a Mile or so with NO direct line of sight, in the city (on high power GMRS), with a large steel structure right in-between us, and with curved roads, so I figure if that is possible, then these more powerful Ham units with much better antennas should work just fine. I can hardly wait to get my Ham license and play around with this thing.

 

[WyoDuner]

I've got several of the 17" antennas - Nagoya, Comet and Diamond. None of them really do much better than stock - a little better but nothing that's going to make you say wow.

Lots of hype around these antennas. Getting external and on a ground plane is the ticket. I can hit a repeater at 52 miles and another (barely) at 84 miles on a 5 watt HT with a good collinear base antenna. It'a all about the antenna.

 

[MrGClips]

Just a quick comment about the 771R.

I've read lots of positive reviews about the Nagoya 771 antenna, but since that is a very long one to carry around, I figured I try this retractable version, especially since they both have identical performance ratings. I like the fact that it is shorter in retracted mode than the stock antenna, so carrying it like that saves space and makes it very convenient.

If anyone interested in this antenna, please be advised:
- The yellow/orange bagged Chinese versions are GARBAGE (based upon reviews)!
- The antenna can be left in retracted mode while listening/scanning, but MUST be (!!! not optional !!!) FULLY extended while transmitting, otherwise they may damage the radio (according to expert users)!
- They come with small rubber spacer that may be needed for some radios to fill the gap that may be left between the radio and the base of the antenna, but there was no need for it on my Baofeng.
- Construction feels solid and good, definitely nice quality and craftsmanship.
- Lots of reviews praise this antenna for handhelds, some claiming 5 X better TRANSMISSION range. That may be true, I don't know, but reception was somewhat disappointing for me.

Be sure to buy originals from legitimate sellers, because there are ton's of cheap fakes out there! It's better to pay a few bucks more for the real deal than losing your money on junk. If anyone has it and can confirm its transmission performance in real life circumstances, please post it.

 

[radioman2001]

A reasonable expectation of Heliflex antenna's is -9 to -20db LESS than a 1/4 wave unity gain antenna. Our agency did some real world tests in our tunnels on VHF after I explained that some tunnels actually cancel out the signal. A test we did in a mile long tunnel was so convincing (100 yards into the tunnel and could not communicate on VHF when UHF was fine) to our supervisors that we then had to do additional testing with various antenna's looking for the best for our uses. We ended up using a 5/8 wave VHF semi Heliflex from Laird with whip for those areas. It's a little bit longer 12in instead of 7in but when we charted the results a 10-12 db gain in some areas over the 7in was achieved. So if you want a decent VHF antenna for your portable I would replace the stock one with the 5/8 wave one.

 

[KD8DVR]

I don't like telescopic antennas. They are far too long for handheld antennas. If I'm going to use a handheld, I don't want a whip that's going to be slapping around everywhere. I have found, in most cases, the stock antenna is a good performer... (NOT the 4 inch rigid antennas that come with many Baofengs); but the longer, flexible whip. I have tried some of the longer whips with varied results. Of course, each person has different environments. Local elevation, terrain, distance to repeaters/other operators. All this comes into play. If you personally experience a winning antenna, go with it.

 

[MrGClips]

A reasonable expectation of Heliflex antenna's is -9 to -20db LESS than a 1/4 wave unity gain antenna. Our agency did some real world tests in our tunnels on VHF after I explained that some tunnels actually cancel out the signal. A test we did in a mile long tunnel was so convincing (100 yards into the tunnel and could not communicate on VHF when UHF was fine) to our supervisors that we then had to do additional testing with various antenna's looking for the best for our uses. We ended up using a 5/8 wave VHF semi Heliflex from Laird with whip for those areas. It's a little bit longer 12in instead of 7in but when we charted the results a 10-12 db gain in some areas over the 7in was achieved. So if you want a decent VHF antenna for your portable I would replace the stock one with the 5/8 wave one.

I have to be honest; First I had to Google and research the terms to understand what you just said 'cause I haven't had a clue! ... but I think now I start to get it (sort of).

Could you recommend a few 5/8 dual band antennas from different brands that you believe to be good for VHF/UHF handhelds as 'all purpose' high performance units (on a budget for beginners)? Thank you.

 

[MrGClips]

I don't like telescopic antennas. They are far too long for handheld antennas. If I'm going to use a handheld, I don't want a whip that's going to be slapping around everywhere. I have found, in most cases, the stock antenna is a good performer... (NOT the 4 inch rigid antennas that come with many Baofengs); but the longer, flexible whip. I have tried some of the longer whips with varied results. Of course, each person has different environments. Local elevation, terrain, distance to repeaters/other operators. All this comes into play. If you personally experience a winning antenna, go with it.

I picked the telescopic one for good ratings and compact size (retracted), but I'm open for any good suggestions to check out others as well. Which ones worked out the best for your handhelds so far? Could you list a few of them, please? Thank you.

 

[radioman2001]

We don't have any dual band radios, the MTA Police do, but it's VHF/800. I asked a number of times for the specs on them and never received an adaquate answer. Dual-band antenna's are a compromise on both bands. If you intend to use VHF only for TX then get the 5/8 wave. For UHF the 6in whip should work fine.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Here is the primary reason I like commercial gear (such as Motorola). Spare antennas aren't that expensive ($20 or less) for most of their handhelds. It's a company with a long public safety history, they have no reason not to ship the radios with the best antennas that can be manufactured. For this reason, it's often hard to improve upon the antennas Motorola ships out with their HTs.

 

[KD8DVR]

I picked the telescopic one for good ratings and compact size (retracted), but I'm open for any good suggestions to check out others as well. Which ones worked out the best for your handhelds so far? Could you list a few of them, please? Thank you.

Well, honestly, I've had the best performance on my Puxing Radios with the stock antenna. On my Baofengs, well, there is a generic, "$2.89" Ebay antenna that did well.

I've used the NA-771, which actually underperformed for me, even though it is pretty highly rated. Not too good on 2 meters; but somewhat more effective on 70cm.

On old Icoms... I actually did use a retractable Diamond RH-205, since it was single band. It did VERY well.. BUT... with time and use, the contacts on the segments degraded, resulting in the antenna's being detuned... went to the trash.

And.. a Diamond RH77CA, also on my Icoms, dual band... It seemed to do about the same as the na-771.

I live in the "Big City", so I've got a lot of repeaters to choose from. I stick to the ones I hit consistently,

I'm in suburban terrain... I have an unusually good path far to my southeast. I can make it into a couple receive sites on my HTs that are 15 miles in that direction.... I sometimes vote in favor of that one, VS the one about 3 miles away. Weird. Anyhow... such things can also affect how one's antenna is perceived to work. Lots of variables.

My real advice is to see what works for you and go with it. Each operator's conditions are different.

73 John