The Pryme RD-98 is a 2M/440 amateur dual-band whip that is thin, and 17 inches long. It comes in SMA and BNC versions. The BNC version is entirely black with no markings. The SMA version has a gold knurl on the connector.
They work great for general purpose scanning, and despite the looks of the thin whip, they are actually strong, despite what I've read elsewhere. I purposely destroyed one to find out the limitations. I also destroyed a Diamond RH-77CA in the same way. Result: The Pryme survives much better!
I chose these for their light weight, and most importantly, their much lower mass than other antennas that I have been using - mainly because I wanted less stress on my consumer-level antenna connectors on my scanners.
I tested them by being willing to actually destroy them. I bent the element on the Pryme at a 90 degree angle all along its length, and could not obtain a permanent bend. I went further and bent it right over at the end of the connector at 90 degrees. The Pryme sprang back - still maintaining connectivity to the center conductor.
The only way I could put a permanent bend in the Pryme RD-98 was to bend it back upon itself at 180 degrees, where the element actually runs down the side of the connector! I don't envision doing this under normal circumstances.
I took my Diamond RH-77CA, and bent it over at 90 degrees right at the edge of the connector - result: a permanent bend over which only sprung back to 45 degrees.
I BEAT on the Pryme doing this test over and over at 90 degrees at the connector edge, and couldn't put a permanent bend in it. Do that ONCE with the Diamond, and game over.
I'm sold - the low mass of the thin Pryme whip makes it very easy to use on my small Icom R6 without immediately tipping over. Used on my RS Pro-106, if it falls the Pryme will take the flex, rather than ripping out the bnc like my Diamond RH-77 did when all the leverage went into the bnc during a fall off my desk. (actually it disconnected the internal wire from the circuit board)
I don't know what other reviewers are doing to bend their Pryme's, but it certainly isn't from *normal* use. Rather than rely on mere looks, I tried to kill it, and found it MUCH stronger than you would think.
I have no problem recommending these, unless you go out of your way to break them.
They work great for general purpose scanning, and despite the looks of the thin whip, they are actually strong, despite what I've read elsewhere. I purposely destroyed one to find out the limitations. I also destroyed a Diamond RH-77CA in the same way. Result: The Pryme survives much better!
I chose these for their light weight, and most importantly, their much lower mass than other antennas that I have been using - mainly because I wanted less stress on my consumer-level antenna connectors on my scanners.
I tested them by being willing to actually destroy them. I bent the element on the Pryme at a 90 degree angle all along its length, and could not obtain a permanent bend. I went further and bent it right over at the end of the connector at 90 degrees. The Pryme sprang back - still maintaining connectivity to the center conductor.
The only way I could put a permanent bend in the Pryme RD-98 was to bend it back upon itself at 180 degrees, where the element actually runs down the side of the connector! I don't envision doing this under normal circumstances.
I took my Diamond RH-77CA, and bent it over at 90 degrees right at the edge of the connector - result: a permanent bend over which only sprung back to 45 degrees.
I BEAT on the Pryme doing this test over and over at 90 degrees at the connector edge, and couldn't put a permanent bend in it. Do that ONCE with the Diamond, and game over.
I'm sold - the low mass of the thin Pryme whip makes it very easy to use on my small Icom R6 without immediately tipping over. Used on my RS Pro-106, if it falls the Pryme will take the flex, rather than ripping out the bnc like my Diamond RH-77 did when all the leverage went into the bnc during a fall off my desk. (actually it disconnected the internal wire from the circuit board)
I don't know what other reviewers are doing to bend their Pryme's, but it certainly isn't from *normal* use. Rather than rely on mere looks, I tried to kill it, and found it MUCH stronger than you would think.
I have no problem recommending these, unless you go out of your way to break them.
