Nice 220 mhz rubber duck

[nanZor]

Found a really nice 220 mhz *only* rubber duck!

The Workman W-220-10 antenna. VERY flexible, even in the loading coil. Much more flexible than my Larsen 220 Kulduck. BNC only, but I've adapted it to my amateur 220 gear, and even scanners when I want to concentrate on that band.

The flexibility is kind of freaky - just enough to keep it vertical, but any sideways motion bends it really easily. *Might* help keep your antenna from ripping out the antenna socket from a fall etc.

I have a few multi-banders like the Comet HT22-A, Tri-Band, and so forth, but I was looking for a single-band duck.

Ok, so I can't vouch for the other Workman products, like chrome CB microphones, but this 220 duck antenna was a total surprise. Initially, I just wanted to put it on an old vintage/beater Tempo ht from the 70's, but liked it so much I'd thought I'd mention it here if anyone is looking for the same.

 

[ko6jw_2]

Smiley makes 220 only rubber ducks. Can be ordered with your choice of connectors. Supposed to be a 5/8 wave. Have been using one on a Bridgecom 220 HT. Unfortunately the radio is no longer sold.

 

[W5lz]

The only reason there are rubber duck antennas of any sort is for very short range stuff. One might be 'better' than another but none of them are what I'd call adequate. If all you are going to do is carry the thing around in your shirt pocket then get used to it not being very 'adequate' at all. If it's for a fixed station, forget a rubber duck and use a real-live antenna as high as you can get it.

 

[15plus1]

Used a Smiley for 220 . Really liked it..

 

[nanZor]

Well of course rubber ducks are not as good as full size antennas.

Kind of like photography - want a better signal / picture? Get closer. Or higher. I'll take a duck on the top of a mountain during a quick sota event over a ground based full antenna anyday....

And for that, the Workman 220 duck has served me VERY well, very cheaply.

The other consideration for using a duck vs a full-size antenna is front-end overload and other nasties. Most handhelds are designed assuming they are going to be used with a lower-efficiency duck, not full size antennas. If you can get away with one fine. But sometimes the duck is the right tool for the job -and gear- at hand.