hmm im not of the same opinion guys, I just got one of these and it is great for VHF but not the best for 415-470mhz, I think i get better on the stock ducky....wonder why this is??
The Diamond RH77CA: Honest opinions?
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perseus68
Member
So guys if I buy one and I put it on a home-build base and add, say, 4 radials GP style, do you think it would be an acceptable miniature ground plane with multi-band capabilities?
I was thinking about doing such an experiment with my Alinco Dj-X11.
Any opinions?
I was thinking about doing such an experiment with my Alinco Dj-X11.
Any opinions?
If you do not need durability I highly recommend the Diamond RH789 (BNC-M) or SRH789 (SMA-M). These antennas do not have any type of circuit or matching coils required in the RH77CA.
The 789 series is a adjustable in length from 95-1100Mhz. I own all of these antennas and I have yet to come across a better performing portable multi-band antenna in this small of a package. If you like the performance of the RH77CA you will love the (S)RH789.
If I am listening to a certain band I switch to AM and adjust length for highest noise then resume scanning.
The 789 series is a adjustable in length from 95-1100Mhz. I own all of these antennas and I have yet to come across a better performing portable multi-band antenna in this small of a package. If you like the performance of the RH77CA you will love the (S)RH789.
If I am listening to a certain band I switch to AM and adjust length for highest noise then resume scanning.
perseus68
Member
Well, I already have the SRH-789 but I should adjust its length pretty often for best tuning and it would be annoying having it installed outside on the balcony :-(
This is why I was thinking about a fixed length one like the RH77-CA.
It has very good feedbacks at least on eham.net.
fullmoon
Member
I love the srh789
I love hearing people debate the merits of various duck antennas. I've tried them all and as someone in the hobby once told me.....a rubber duck antenna is approximately as efficient as a piece of hanger wire. While we know that isn't totally true, it's not that far off. I've tried every duck antenna made and found that it's a matter of length vs. what you are trying to receive. If you are mainly focused on VHF and UHF it will be an improvement over a standard scanner duck antenna, more so on the VHF side, making a really big difference in the VHF airband. 450-460 MHz is modestly improved, usually. Milair is surprisingly good.
BUT...
If you ware interested in 700/800 MHZ as your primary interest, either be ready to switch your antennas all the time, or just forget about this antenna. It will mean a DECREASE in signal on many if not all frequencies in this band. I know this from personal testing. I really WANTED it to work for everything, but science tells us that no one duck antenna will do that, and it didn't work for the higher frequency stuff very well.
After decades of trying everything under, the sun, I can tell you that the standard Uniden / GRE duck antenna is the best overall for someone like me who monitors everything from the VHF airband up to 800 mhz. It truly bugs me that I come to this conclusion every time I test. I guess the people making these radios might actually know what antenna will work best for the range of the scanner....hmmm...
As far as the RS 800 antenna the so many swear by, meh......
You MIGHT get on average, one bar of signal more (sorry for the arbitrary measurement). Could that be "make or break" for some? Sure, in which case go buy one. But in every state I've done testing, the improvement is small at 800 MHZ, and you actually take a hit on UHF, and bigger hit on VHF, and an even bigger hit on VHF airband. So in terms of performance, it's not worth it to me. One bonus you get with that model is that it is flexible where as the stock antenna is very stiff.
I own one of all of these antennas, and usually just use the stock duck antenna. And of course, that's just my two cents, YMMV. I say buy them all, test them, and you will probably come to the same conclusion.
BUT...
If you ware interested in 700/800 MHZ as your primary interest, either be ready to switch your antennas all the time, or just forget about this antenna. It will mean a DECREASE in signal on many if not all frequencies in this band. I know this from personal testing. I really WANTED it to work for everything, but science tells us that no one duck antenna will do that, and it didn't work for the higher frequency stuff very well.
After decades of trying everything under, the sun, I can tell you that the standard Uniden / GRE duck antenna is the best overall for someone like me who monitors everything from the VHF airband up to 800 mhz. It truly bugs me that I come to this conclusion every time I test. I guess the people making these radios might actually know what antenna will work best for the range of the scanner....hmmm...
As far as the RS 800 antenna the so many swear by, meh......
You MIGHT get on average, one bar of signal more (sorry for the arbitrary measurement). Could that be "make or break" for some? Sure, in which case go buy one. But in every state I've done testing, the improvement is small at 800 MHZ, and you actually take a hit on UHF, and bigger hit on VHF, and an even bigger hit on VHF airband. So in terms of performance, it's not worth it to me. One bonus you get with that model is that it is flexible where as the stock antenna is very stiff.
I own one of all of these antennas, and usually just use the stock duck antenna. And of course, that's just my two cents, YMMV. I say buy them all, test them, and you will probably come to the same conclusion.
dmg1969
Member
I hope it's good as I received several recommendations to use it on my BC125AT. I have one on the way.
It works very well with the BC125AT and the receiver is still stable with it attached. It's also very good on the AOR 8200 in the Air and Mil bands, Not nearly as stable on the8200 receiver though and will tip over with the slightest jarring or bit of wind.
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