NA-810 'stubby' antenna ... anyone using one?

[sefrischling]

Has anyone used the Nagoya NA-810 antenna on the UV-5R/UV-82 radios?

This is the 2.5" stubby antenna. I know stubby antennas have their limitations, but overall any opinions are welcome. It may end up being used in conjunction with a speaker mic that has an integrated antenna mount to keep the antenna at the shoulder level.

 

[Aero125]

I would think the addition of the 2nd antenna connector through a cable on a speaker mic would further add to the limitations of the already negative Db gain effect of that antenna.

 

[sefrischling]

Aero,

There is only one antenna on the radio, there is no second antenna.

I use a speaker Mic with an antenna mount on it with a Motorola Astro Saber, it is not the best, but I have no real issues with it on UHF and 800. It is not the best with VHF. I am looking to use the NA-810 with a few Baofengs with Boy Scouts. They use MURS, along with monitoring NOAA WX, SkyWarn and at times Marine 16/22. I think the speaker mic with the flexible stubby may be a better option for these kids ... but only if the antenna actually is functional.

 

[Aero125]

There is only one antenna on the radio, there is no second antenna.

Im just saying that one antenna going through the 2 SMA connectors and an extension cable will reduce the antenna effectiveness. But for you applications mentioned it should be just fine, on local simplex ops.

 

[sefrischling]

Aero125

Have you used one of these NA-810 antennas?

 

[Titan520]

I have. I live in a really ****ty place for a ham. Lots of interferance and the local repeater is pretty far out. But over at my sisters house, i can walk around town almost anywhere and get pretty good results on UHF. On VHF its borderline useless however.

Its not bad, just has it limitations.

 

[Aero125]

We have used these on the UV-5's for short range comms and they work good, but agree with what you say they have their limitations.

 

[sefrischling]

Thanks

 

[khaytsus]

I have three of them, I love them for RX and close repeater work. I've had the Maldol version of it for 15+ years (BNC), I got one for my UV-B5 and one for my Yaesu 7r.

They're indestructible, very wideband receive, SWR is typically very low on 2m/70cm (although my 7r model is 1.6 on 70cm, a little disappointing) and they do well with being near the body on a belt clip. My other whip antennas go completely deaf against the body, the 810 type antenna seems to do better there.

Of course they have limitations, But it's on my radios 95% of the time.

 

[treborx]

A lot of antennas were tested and depending on the band, an 805 was five dB worse than the stock antenna. The stock antenna was not bad as everyone says - it was completely decent and as expected for any antenna of its size. The ExpertPower 14.5 inch was a big improvement, and nothing else suitable for a handheld beat it.

http://www.miklor.com/COM/pdf/AntennaTestingW9MDB.pdf

 

[khaytsus]

A lot of antennas were tested and depending on the band, an 805 was five dB worse than the stock antenna. The stock antenna was not bad as everyone says - it was completely decent and as expected for any antenna of its size. The ExpertPower 14.5 inch was a big improvement, and nothing else suitable for a handheld beat it.

http://www.miklor.com/COM/pdf/AntennaTestingW9MDB.pdf

Who mentioned the 805? That's the really daft "bullet" antenna. And the OP asked about a .2.5" antenna and you're suggesting the 14.5" one.

I think you missed the point

 

[cmdrwill]

ANHKNKRA14M, a Kenwood antenna, works extremely well in VHF 150 range.But it is 6" long.

 

[treborx]

I am making two points. One is that the chart shows that no antenna shorter than 14.5 inches tested significant better than the stock antenna. At least in this one test.

I am also saying that it is best to use test data as so many people think the stock antenna is bad and yet that test data shows that it is only beat by antennas that are at least 14.5 inches long.

 

[Aero125]

ANHKNKRA14M, a Kenwood antenna, works extremely well in VHF 150 range.But it is 6" long.

Another misreading of the topic.