Diamond RH77CA vs Smiley Antenna 5/8 Slim Duck 160MHz

[NS9710]

With my primary focus being railroad and maritime, with a sprinkling of everything else covered by Uniden BCD160DN. Which would be preferred with better range coverage

 

[kny2xb]

I use the Smiley 5/8 155 MHz on my work h-t for MURS [151.82-154.60 MHz], but I have the local RR channels programmed in also & it works well on RR

I'd go for the Smiley 5/8 160 MHz as it's tuned to the specific frequency ranges that you want, as the Diamond is tuned for the amateur bands

Plus the Smiley will be a little shorter than the Diamond if that's convenient

 

[prcguy]

I think the RH77CA at 15" long will work better than the Smiley 5/8 at only 10.5" long. It doesn't matter if its a 1/4 wave, 1/2 wave or 5/8 wave on a shortened antenna, there is no gain advantage within their small size. In this case overall length is king.

 

[Fast1eddie]

That's what she said.

 

[kny2xb]

I think the RH77CA at 15" long will work better than the Smiley 5/8 at only 10.5" long. It doesn't matter if its a 1/4 wave, 1/2 wave or 5/8 wave on a shortened antenna, there is no gain advantage within their small size. In this case overall length is king.

In that case, I'd go with neither Diamond or Smiley, & go with a Signal Stuff Signal Stick at 18.25", that's just under a 1/4 wave for both the rail & marine frequencies

Super-Elastic Signal Stick™: BNC

For those who want a quick-change connector, also fits many older radios. You can use this with a SMA-F to BNC-F or SMA-M to BNC-F adapter to use with any radio! Also works great on the BNC Mag-Mount.

signalstuff.com

 

[NS9710]

In that case, I'd go with neither Diamond or Smiley, & go with a Signal Stuff Signal Stick at 18.25", that's just under a 1/4 wave for both the rail & marine frequencies

Super-Elastic Signal Stick™: BNC

For those who want a quick-change connector, also fits many older radios. You can use this with a SMA-F to BNC-F or SMA-M to BNC-F adapter to use with any radio! Also works great on the BNC Mag-Mount.

signalstuff.com

Yeah but if you look they’re talking the 140MHz range, not the range I’m looking for

 

[xms3200]

Overall length is NOT always King. For VHF air, I have a 19" signal stick antenna which is better that the original Icom IC-R15 antenna, however, the much shorter 6" smiley rubber duck for airband blows the 19" signal Stick, especially for the twr & gnd control freqs, as well as ATIS. Currently, the best antenna by a long shot for me on the Icom IC-R15 is the Smiley antenna

 

[kc2asb]

Lots of good recommendations and advice in the prior threads you started re: choosing an antenna

Uniden BCD160 VHF/UHF?

I have a BCD160, I mostly deal in VHF/UHF primary focus with CB and air traffic as secondary, as well as some low band, what antenna will serve me best without breaking the bank? Thanks!

forums.radioreference.com

Diamond vs Remtronix

Is there a clear cut difference in performance between a Remtronix say the 842S and Diamond SRH77CA, or any comparable antenna, I remember formerly having Watson W881 BNC antennas years ago. TIA

forums.radioreference.com

 

[kny2xb]

Yeah but if you look they’re talking the 140 MHz range, not the range I’m looking for

That's for transmitting on the 2 meter 144-148 MHz range

Receiving/reception is a slightly different ball o' wax