WSAN206

I just recently discovered this radio as well - it has certainly peaked my Interest. Looks like a little wouxan

Yeah one of these days I will get a nicer radio - but I’m having so much fun with these cheap ones. Ended up buying a uv17 pro GPS (not here yet) gm-15, and most recently, quansheng uvk6 which upgraded the firmware to egzumer. Now that is a fun toy to play with! you are right though - I’m pretty sure all the sub-$80 radios are pretty much the same. thanks for the recommendations and I’ll check them out.

Hmm - so these require a special mic because of the dual PTT? I’m looking for something that works off a basic K1 plug and works with the commountain mic. Great info - thanks

Hmmm - that’s a valid point. I forgot the btech was based off the UV-82. I’ll look into UV-82. appreciate the tip!

Currently running baofeng uv9g (first radio) and there’s some things about it that I absolutely hate - mainly the side cover with screw that I need to remove to install a mic. Plus the selection of mics for that radio is pretty slim. I use this in and out of my vehicle so being able to install a mic easily is a must. I’d really like to plunge and get the wouxan 935g plus but my wife isn’t crazy about spending a bunch more money on this new hobby. The btech seems to check all the boxes (that I know of) and I like the usb-c charging - but is it any better if a radio than what I have now? Looks very similar in the way it features and operation. Even the same lady voice. btech is twice as much as the UV-9g but half the price of the wouxan. Any thoughts on this? Or is there something else I should consider?

Installed the new antenna tonight. I think it’s better - still the same swr reading (1.00 - 1.02). I think I’m getting a lot of popping and scratching from all the overhead lines around here. Seems to work well in the middle of my yard and I’m reaching repeaters 45 miles away. I’m done with the antenn for now. really appreciate all the help guys!!

Ok - updates. I received a replacement antenna from Amazon tonight after explaining my situation to the seller (btech). Also recieved swr meter so decided to test the current setup and I’m shocked. these are on channel 1, 15, and 30. Does this seem right? Higher wattage than expected from my baofeng uv-9G too.

My cousin has a nanoVNA. I might see if he can help me - looks beyond my skills

I wonder if my antenna may be a UT72 instead of 72g. Maybe mis-packaged? I actually do have UT72 (non-g) that I bought by mistake first and haven’t returned it yet. I’ll check and see if they look the same. I assume one should be slightly different?

Before I mounted it on my car - I put the magnet on a cookie sheet and put high in my loft in my house. Wasn’t able to reach any further than I could with just the HT antenna. Maybe even worse then too - just figured I wasn’t getting a good ground plane. Maybe that was a sign something wasn’t right

Took the roof rack off and slapped it right in the middle of the roof. Tried to reach a repeater about 31 miles away and wasn’t able to ping it (no mic attached) . Stepped out and put my 771g on and instantly got a response from the repeater. Gotta be something jacked up with the adapters where it necks down to my HT or somewhere in the coax itself. I’ll wait and check Tuesday when my meter comes. So frustrating.

If I check everything with swr (have one coming) would that tell me if there’s any issues with where it’s mounted or if I have any connection issues?

On the car - Nagoya UT 72G On the HT - Nagoya 771G

Thanks guys - sounds like I need to eliminate some variables. I think first I’ll take the rack off and move the antenna to the middle of the car. I really appreciate the feedback. If it works at least as good with the mobile setup as it does standing outside the car, I’ll be happy.

What should one expect using a HT with magnetic antenna? Better or worse than just using an HT standing outside of vehicle? I called my brother (simplex) and he said I sounded better when I exited car and put on my Nagoya 771G vs in my car hooked up to a 72g antenna and about 13’ of coax. I also had a mic when inside the car vs no mic outside. Is this what one would expect? Am I negatively impacting reception with my antenna mounted like this? Thanks!