RH77CA vs Radio Shack 20-034

[RedPenguin]

I have two antennas that are broadband for my BR330T.

Most stations seem to be the same on both my Diamond RH77CA antenna and my Radio Shack Deluxe Antenna 20-034.

I have always been told that the RH77CA can pick up anything except 800 which it's not supposed to be the greatest with.

But I swear sometimes when I just put my Radio Shack one on instead, some stations sound incredibly better, like my local RR station, 160.8.

It's like some days it seems that either antenna does a great job but sometimes it's like the messages come in clearer with the Radio Shack.

Can it just be some other factor then the antennas?

I noticed that in my area, it's really annoying, because sometimes, I can be in the same place, and one day, here police, fire, and EMS, all clear as can be, then the next day, I'm like, what the heck did they just say? I wonder if it's Pennsylvania annoyance, LoL.

 

[xpawel15x]

Yeah I experience the same thing. One day my local PD is so clear It's like I'm using one of their radios. But then there are the days or time of day that the transmittions are staticky, get cut out and very quiet.

 

[nanZor]

I just picked up the #20-034 for $12 today on a whim to do exactly this same comparison.

I popped it onto an MFJ antenna analyzer, and was pleasantly surprised. While centered on the 2m and 440 amateur bands, there were two very nice resonant spots at 52mhz (6-meter amateur) and a respectable one at 120 mhz in the general aviation band. This is unlike the RH77CA which has no nice resonant points at vhf low and aircraft. My gear doesn't go beyond VHF, so I can't comment on anything above 170 mhz.

I avoided this antenna for 10 years mainly because I thought it pretty ugly with the mostly rigid support, fatness, and what looks like a top-loaded bulge.

But guess what? For my applications, this is the better performer, and I was blown away by the really nice resonant spot in the aircraft band. Thing is, it doesn't look cool. And in the end, these are just rubber-ducks! I don't get too hung up on them.

Richard Wells did a very nice test among the majority of popular ducks in 2000, but there are a few variables that might skew the results for one over the other in different ways in the field.

End result: This is $12.00 well spent - especially as an immediate replacement for the usual very short ducks included with most of the other handhelds. Don't leave the store without one.

This is the antenna that is staying on my inexpensive Pro-135 backup. Really wakes it up!

 

[nanZor]

Update: I'm liking this inexpensive duck more and more.

It works great for me on vhf-low and general aviation, aside from the other bands. The resonant points are the big draw.

You can make a paperclip resonant, but in the end all you have is a very efficient 2-inch antenna. This is not the case here.

On vhf low and airband this 9" resonant duck seems to be the better performer than non-resonant ducks or whips that are longer.

One thing I can't tell is the reception angle lobes at uhf or higher - from casual listening I suspect that they are higher in angle than the Diamond, but can't be sure.

 

[raisindot]

I have to agree with you on this. I have both the RS high gain (which I paid $20 for--it must be discontinued because it's no longer on the RS site, as far as I can tell) and Diamond, and, performancewise, I can barely tell the difference between them. The Diamond may do a little bit better on 800Mhz, but I think the RS does better on VHF-Hi. Plus, it's smaller and sturdier. If you can get it for $12, it's a great price.

Suzie

 

[nanZor]

Just picked up another one for $9.99.

They aren't on the site anymore, but the stores may have them locally in stock at clearance sale prices.

 

[NYRHKY94]

Hi Guys:

Based on this thread, I decided to stop by one of my local Radio Shacks to pick one of the 20-034 antennas up. As it turns out, they were on "clearance sale" for only $4.95! They had 2 left and I bought them both.

Sometimes it just works out

 

[nanZor]

Nice grab!

I hate to see them go. In my opinion, they were marketed badly. I avoided them based mostly on looks - that bulge at the top and the packaging made it look more like manufacturing defects. If only they had stated on the packaging "top loaded", I would have taken it seriously a lot sooner.

 

[NYRHKY94]

I'll have to say, the bulging look near the top of these antennas is one of the reasons I also previously stayed away from them This thread made me reconsider them and that's why I stopped into RS and picked them up. Just got lucky with the $4.95 clearance sale at that particular store. I went to another RS in an adjacent town and they were being sold for $9.99. I'll keep one in the car and one at the home shack.

 

[ltfpfd]

is this a good one for a pro 2022 and is there a better on out there. i saw some on ebay that looks like a tube with the ant inside and a lenght of coxoal attached