The Diamond RH77CA: Honest opinions?

[xpawel15x]

I have one and use it a lot. It does well on VHF and UHF but is just like a stock ducky in 800mhz. RS800mhz ducky is the better antenna for 800 obviously. I use both, RH77CA for VHF/UHF with one scanner and the RS800 for 800mhz with another scanner.

 

[Patrick_]

I had the Super Scan Duck (RH77CA rebranded) and while it's an excellent antenna, it's bit of a pain if you carry your scanner around all of the time... I may have gone for the RHF40 instead (same, but more flexible).

It's great for everything but 800MHz, on which it is slightly worse than the stock on my BR330T (especially with weak signals).

 

[stevolene]

try this company, have had very good service from them through the years

http://www.gigaparts.com/store.php?query=rh77ca&action=search&type=radio&gslog=1"&restrict=!radio

 

[skip39]

rh77ca

i just got my new diamond rh77ca antenna tonight and it wont fit my bcd396t.
is there a problem with my antenna
ryan

 

[delta_p]

Put the sma-to-bnc adaptor that came with your scanner on the antenna, then screw the antenna onto the scanner. Or, I'll swap ya an SRH77CA for your RH77CA cause I wish I would have bought that one now anyway.


PP

 

[skip39]

low band performance

how does this antenna perform with lowband frequencies.
ryan

 

[delta_p]

It's ok. But I been on a scantenna a while at home and like to go portable with RS ducks.

PP

 

[CStarr59]

Im using a RH77CA on my BC92XLT and my PSR-100 and they both perform excellent with this diamond antenna. Im only scanning conventional frequencies, but Im hearing stuff I've never heard before. I highly recommend this antenna to anyone looking for better performance, it gives your scanner a big edge over stock ducks.

 

[Kumba]

So reading over this thread some (as well as some googling), I draw these conclusions:

If I want to listen to 800MHz trunked systems, I'm better off with the RS800 I got with my BCD396T.

If I want to listen to most other bands, get a RH77CA?

So far, I've discovered the RS800 can pull in some of the TV channels and FM freqs, but I get silence on the Skywarn channels I try to peek into during severe weather, and very little else picks up on other bands. I'm assuming an RH77CA might improve that, but I'm curious how much it might impact my listening to 800MHz bands. Since I usually only listen to my local county's trunked system only when at home, even an RH77CA shouldn't kill the reception too bad. But I thought I'd get people's thoughts.

Don't suppose there's an in-between antenna? Something that does adequate on 800MHz and on the remaining bands?

 

[N1SQB]

Diamond RH951S

Try This One!
I use this antenna on my Pro-84 which is not a very expensive or sensitive scanner to begin with. Its not as big as the RH-77 but does a good job all around. As long as your 800 system is not like 4-5 towns over, you should be fine with this antenna.

Manny

 

[Kumba]

Try This One!
I use this antenna on my Pro-84 which is not a very expensive or sensitive scanner to begin with. Its not as big as the RH-77 but does a good job all around. As long as your 800 system is not like 4-5 towns over, you should be fine with this antenna.

Manny

That looks to be about the same height - 14". I actually dug up some more reviews, and figured at $20, it's worth giving it a shot to see if I can latch onto some of the local Skywarn repeaters. The trunked system I listen to the most is for my entire county, and I believe they have several repeaters scattered over the county, so I'm sure signal won't be a problem. I just won't get to listen to them at work anymore I guess (which is ~30mi away)

 

[andrewccm]

First you convince me to shell out $500 for the PSR500. Then you convince me to get the Lilkase. Then you convince me to buy scanning software. Then, just as I think I'm happy with the RS general rubber duckie replacement, you all convince me to shell out ANOTHER $25 for this one. You're all in one gigantic conspiracy to bankrupt me, I tell you!

I am going to very interested in seeing how this compares to the RS antenna, which I think works extremely well as a general coverager. I initially bought the RS 800MHz rubber duckie and returned it because its performance stunk--the stock PSR antenna pulled in 800Mhz far better (as does the general RS duckie).

But, hot damn, can this be an expensive addiction! Beats heroin and dog racing, I suppose...

Suzie

I'd be willing to bet you were overmodulating with the RS800 on that PSR500 (actually too strong). I have tried way too many antennas and honestly can say nothing I have tried beats the RS800 for mobile 800 monitoring. Now at home, my Yagi does, but that ain't very portable.

 

[N1SQB]

Go for it!

Kumba!
Although it is about 14 inches, the top half is really thin and very flexible so it is not as stiff,or heavy feeling like the RH 77.

Manny

 

[mkrubsack]

I just ordered two of the Diamond RH77CA's for my Uniden BCT15 and BCD996T radios.
Most of my locals are in the 460MHz range, so it should perform like gangbusters. Can't wait to get them!

 

[37wes37]

I have the RH 771 and seond all of the positive comments regarding the VHF/UHF band coverage. As good as it is, I'm considering the Grove magnetic mount with the BNC connector for mounting it on an outside fire extinguisher box. On a second floor apartment complex, that should bring in even more signals.

 

[W4KRR]

I've been scanning for almost 35 years. I've said it before, and I will say it again: It is very difficult, if not impossible, for find one single antenna that performs equally well on all bands.

You will almost always get better reception on an antenna mounted high up on an outside mast, fed with good quality coax cable, than you will using any antenna attached directly to the scanner. However, if you want or need to use a rubber duck antenna attached directly to the scanner, the Diamond RH77CA is a good choice, especially for the VHF high and UHF bands. On the 800MHz band, it isn't much better than the stock antenna. For 800MHz reception, the Radio Shack 800MHz antenna does a very good job on 800MHz, but just so-so on the UHF band, and no better than the stock antenna on VHF high. So you are back to the compromise again.

The best all around rubber duck antenna I have used is the Austin Condor. Its main drawback is that it's fat and ugly, but it does work pretty well. No, it does not perform better than the RH77CA on VHF and UHF, but it does do better on the 800MHz band, which is the main reason it is better overall.

So what do I use? All of the above, and then some! I have a wide variety of antennas, accumulated over the years. My "main" antennas are the Austin Condor, the Diamond RH77CA, and the Radio Shack 800MHz antenna. These will work well for most people. If you only want to listen to one single band, get an antenna tuned for that band. It will work well for the band that it's tuned for, but will be a compromise on most, if not all, other bands.

As always, these are my experiences, your results may vary.

 

[KE5MC]

? ant construction

W4KRR,

On the Condor is the BNC locking ring free floating like the 77?

I use an Antenex 1/2 wave that I like the antenna performance, but mechanically I don't like that they extended the plastic skin of the antenna to the bottom of the BNC. This has effectively locked the two parts of the BNC connector together as compared to a typical BNC where once the inside has bottomed out the spring action in the locking ring can give.

Mike

 

[W4KRR]

W4KRR,

On the Condor is the BNC locking ring free floating like the 77?
Mike

No, the antenna rubber completely encases the BNC connector, so when you attach or remove the antenna, you hold the the antenna, and the whole antenna turns. It really isn't a problem for me, however.

 

[cratliff]

I got my RH-77CA yesterday and have it running on my BCT 15 at the moment. I have been using one of those "snoop" ebay antennas on my 996 for a while, and I apparently have been missing a lot! I know the snoop isnt the greatest, but I got it before I found this website
Last night I was comparing the 2 on the local highway patrol and on civil air bands and the RH-77CA consistently had at least 1 and sometime 2 more bars of reception! I am very impressed so far with it.

 

[Nasby]

No surprise there dude! Search this entire site and I don't think you will find any bad reviews or bad "honest opinions" of the RH77CA.