Diamond Antenna RH77CA ?

[BOBRR]

Hello,

Might someone please offer an opinion on whether
a Diamond RH77CA antenna would be a "good" match for
a Uniden SDS 200 ?

All that it says on the thin plastic
tube that it come in is:

2m / 70 cm / and 120 / 150 / 300 / 450 / 800 / 900 MHz Bands

If not, where does it fall short ?

Thanks, and Happy Holidays,
Bob

 

[nessnet]

First - it doesn't have an 'elbow' - so it can't bend and will stick straight out of the back of your radio.

The other point I'd like to make is:
What frequencies are you planning to monitor the most?
I ask because the more an antenna is tuned to a specific frequency, the better it will work.

The 77 is a great antennal - for the frequencies it is designed for (144/440 MHz)
But, for instance you want to primarily monitor 700/800Mhz, I'd suggest a:
REMTronix REM-830B
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VHFFKCB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Hit_Factor]

All depends on what you want to hear Bob.

It's a 2m/70cm antenna first, after that Diamond list other bands that it should be ok receiving.

How do you know the stock antenna is or isn't performing for you? Other than all rubber duck antennas are a compromise. They are called rubber resistors for good reason.

Outdoor antennas mounted high and with good coax blows away all rubber duck antennas. These could be characterized as a good match.

If you are after wideband receive a discone is a pretty good solution, even if indoors.

 

[ko6jw_2]

The RH77CA and its variants is primarily intended to be a 2m/440 HT antenna. The claims of out of band performance are true - sort off. Anything will receive to some extent on any frequency. Will it do well? Not necessarily. If your primary area of interest is 700/800MHz then you could do better. If your area of interest is low band, forget it. Outside antennas are clearly the best way to go - if you can. Not everyone can. Chances are the 77 will not perform any better than a stock whip outside of the ham bands. These are very popular antennas, but they are not magical.

 

[n1chu]

I’ve used them all. If you haven’t done any comparisons you will never know if an aftermarket antenna will perform better. But a good brand name antenna such as the one you ask about has a very good chance of performing better than the stock antenna… maybe not on every band but most. That’s because stock rubber duckies are a compromise at best. The RH77CA performs better on the different bands (when compared to the stock antenna) and because it’s length is longer, it stands to reason it should do better on VHF High and UHF. But what I’d like to convey is your results may vary and the only way you will ever know if these aftermarket antennas will help is if you field test them yourself. Finding someone who will let you borrow theirs may be tough so you may have to get one of your own. And then you can determine if it was needed or not. If not, it won’t be a total waste… take it on vacations and trips to other locals. It could make a difference.

 

[Colin9690]

I’ve owned one for several years, and it’s a good antenna. Definitely pulls in VHF a lot better on my SDS-100, with no noticeable impact to 700/800 reception.
Of course it’s a longer antenna, so I wouldn’t recommend putting this on a scanner clipped to your belt.

 

[trap5858]

I have used this antenna on several handheld scanners and receivers. It did not do much on my SDS100 so back the Remtronix. It did okay on my Icom R-30 for wideband and fairly well on airbands

 

[KE5MC]

Hello,

Might someone please offer an opinion on whether
a Diamond RH77CA antenna would be a "good" match for
a Uniden SDS 200 ?

...snip...

If not, where does it fall short ?

...snip...

As pointed out an elbow is needed and a mechanical means to keep it upright. The 77 being a stiff antenna I think is better suited for a 200 than the 100 or any dual band HT. When I used it for a short time on an HT I felt the weight and stiffness put undo strain on the radio body connector as I was handling the radio. I never felt the reception lacking for any band as most of the post indicate.

Mike

 

[vagrant]

TLDR: If my choices where the RH77CA and the SRH320A, I would definitely choose the SRH320A at twice the price.

I have two of the RH77CA and one each of the other versions. They all sweep the same and were best at 150 MHz and 450 MHz. Still, it does sort of work up around 750~800 MHz as well. It is not a bad antenna for RX right around 150/450/750~800 MHz. If that is the intended use it would be a good investment.

If I were going to use a rubber duck on an SDS200, I would use the Diamond SRH320A with the appropriate adapters as it better handles VHF, UHF and around 220 MHz including Mil-Air to a reasonable degree for a rubber duck compared to many others. I use the SRH320A to transmit as well as on my handheld radios. Is it worth double the cost? To me yes, but I enjoy monitoring a wide range of frequencies from 118-480 MHz with that antenna, as well as transmitting, so I own several of them.

For 800~940 stuff I use the Radio Shack version of the Remtronix which works better around there.