Antennas

[WSFP385]

Hey guys, also a newbie here. I do not live in an ideal radio environment, mountains on all sides, and am looking for an upgraded antenna for my handheld. I realize that I am going to have to get to higher ground to be able to transmit any significant distance.

[WRXB215]

I'll second @Socalgmrs on the 771 antennas. I don't have any experience with the tactical antennas but I've heard they perform better than the 771.

[WSFP385]

12 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

What ht do you have.   The 771s work well and are n the lower end of the cost spectrum. They seam to double the line of sight distance of a stock antenna.   Smily antennas work well also but at $25 plus shipping they cost more than many radios.  I dont see any difference from a 771 but some people swear by them.    

I have the btech grmps pro, and its just the stock antenna that came with it.

[WRXB215]

@WSFP385 just an added note, some radios actually perform better with the stock antenna. Sometimes the stock antenna is well designed and is tuned to that specific radio and is hard to beat. I don't know if your radio is one of those.

[WRYZ926]

2 hours ago, WRXB215 said:

@WSFP385 just an added note, some radios actually perform better with the stock antenna. Sometimes the stock antenna is well designed and is tuned to that specific radio and is hard to beat. I don't know if your radio is one of those.

I have found that to be true. My Baofeng radios saw an improvement with a Nagoya 771 antenna while my Icom, TYT/Explorer, and Wouxun radios do better with the stock antennas.

[Guest]

Beware counterfeit Nagoya 771 antennas. If the product image shows an orange bag, beware. Go look at the products on the official Nagoya website... heck, just buy the antenna directly from them. I have four "771" antennas that are rubbish. The factory Baofeng antenna works in all cases where the "771" antenna I received does not.

On that note, anyone know a way to modify a counterfeit antenna to be any use?

[LeoG]

My TD H3 benefits greatly from a Nagoya 771G, next in line is the Smiley Rubber Duck and then my OEM.  I have a mini stub antenna that is worse than the OEM, but I use that in my shop where my repeater is.  I keep the radio on low power too.

[Socalgmrs]

12 minutes ago, WSFP385 said:

Hey guys, also a newbie here. I do not live in an ideal radio environment, mountains on all sides, and am looking for an upgraded antenna for my handheld. I realize that I am going to have to get to higher ground to be able to transmit any significant distance.

What ht do you have.   The 771s work well and are n the lower end of the cost spectrum. They seam to double the line of sight distance of a stock antenna.   Smily antennas work well also but at $25 plus shipping they cost more than many radios.  I dont see any difference from a 771 but some people swear by them.