Antenna Gain

[WSFA388]

I recently purchased a Wouxun KG-S65G as an entry into GMRS.  I asked the "chat" for a recommendation for an upgrade on the antenna, and the Melowave Bandit G was recommended.  I recently came across a video that noted there is a difference between high and low gain antennas, with if I recall correctly, low gain being better if you live in an obstructed area, which I think I do.

The specs to the antenna are below.  Is 2.15 dBi gain low or high?  Is this antenna appropriate for a handheld in an obstructed area?

Thanks!

The Authentic Melowave Bandit-G is a GMRS antenna tuned for 462MHz frequencies on the GMRS. The Bandit-G works with portable handheld GMRS two way way radios. It is available in your choice of an SMA Male, SMA Female or BNC antenna connector.
 

Genuine Melowave antenna

• 462-468 MHz
• Impedence 50 ohms
• 2.15 dBi gain
• V.S.W.R. ≦1.5:1
• Wave: 1/2 λ
• Maximum power rating: 10 Watts
• Linear vertical polarization
• Height (approx.): 15.3 inches / 39.3 cm)
• Base Diameter (SMA Male): 0.43 inches / 11.1 mm)
• Base Diameter (SMA Female): 0.55 inches / 14.2 mm)
• Base Diameter (BNC Male): 0.56 inches / 14.4 mm)
• Operating temperature range: -22°F~185°F / -30°C~+85°C
• Very thin and flexible
• Available in your choice of SMA Male, SMA Female or BNC connector
• Model: Bandit-G
• Works with portable handheld GMRS two way radios equipped with a removable antenna.

[RayDiddio]

17 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

Everyone I know that has had that antenna has thrown theirs straight into the trash.

People laugh at this, but they were unimpressive at best for me. The ducky that came with my radios performs better.

[WRUU653]

10 minutes ago, RayDiddio said:

People laugh at this, but they were unimpressive at best for me. The ducky that came with my radios performs better.

I’m fairly certain @OffRoaderX was having a go at “some people” and their constant negativity.
I found the Nagoya 771G to be a good improvement. I keep it handy if I need that little bit more but the length is a bit much for every day use. I’ve recently been using the Nagoya NA-320A tri band HT antenna (similar to the 771 in size) which has made it possible to reach a local 220 amateur radio repeater with the Wouxun KG-Q10H. Beware of the fakes out there. 

[WRUE951]

When i was dating my mama told me to stick with the first good one i caught.    Well, i didn't listen to mamma and ended up trying out quite of few and ended up spending a ton..  Now here I sit happy as a go-lark with the 'first one'  kicking myself i should've listened to Mama...    The antenna that ships with your radio is going to do the best all around job..  unless you break the damn thing, leave it alone 

[LeoG]

Nah.  The OEM on my TD H3 was mediocre at best.  The Nagoya 771G or the Smiley Rubber duck are far superior.  The radios I passed out to my family prove it all the time.  They still have the OEM antennas and mine out perform theirs all the time.

[TrikeRadio]

2 minutes ago, LeoG said:

Nah.  The OEM on my TD H3 was mediocre at best.  The Nagoya 771G or the Smiley Rubber duck are far superior.  The radios I passed out to my family prove it all the time.  They still have the OEM antennas and mine out perform theirs all the time.

I agree... My experience with the stock antennas on the TD-H3... they are "Good"... but the Nagoya 771G ... and even Tidradio's GMRS tuned 771 whip are MUCH better.

Actually seems like the Tidradio 771 is as good as the Nagoya 771G in my own experience.

[LeoG]

There are some radios that the OEM is the best antenna.  Usually the higher priced radios.  You get what you pay for and I would expect a premium tuned antenna with a higher cost radio.  My buddy has a Kenwood and the OEM antenna worked better than the 771 he got.  But he also didn't get the G version of the antenna, so that might have been the difference.

[RayDiddio]

36 minutes ago, LeoG said:

Nah.  The OEM on my TD H3 was mediocre at best.  The Nagoya 771G or the Smiley Rubber duck are far superior.  The radios I passed out to my family prove it all the time.  They still have the OEM antennas and mine out perform theirs all the time.

I use a SignalStick as well as the telescoping Smiley. These both blow the Nagoya models out of the water for me, especially indoors. I have the 771G. Rarely use it now.

[WRKW566]

6 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

Mine was a TidRadio 771, but it has a coil and a capacitor from partway up on the coil to the shield. Here’s my picture.  Notice how thin the coil wire is?  I bet yours has a coil under a layer of insulation and it’s just not visible.

<snipped image, good image by the way!>

Nope, no coils. The shell is empty and what you see in the picture is what is there. The center "element" spring, what have you is crimped directly to the connector center conductor. what you have is what I expected to see when I popped open the assembly, which was super easy, I just partially screwed an adapter to the antenna ant put a screwdriver between the plastic cover and the adapter and pried it off. Caveat, I had been smacking stuff with the antenna too amuse myself so I bet I fractured the super glue holding it together. It smells like that.

[WRUE951]

40 minutes ago, LeoG said:

There are some radios that the OEM is the best antenna.  Usually the higher priced radios.  You get what you pay for and I would expect a premium tuned antenna with a higher cost radio.  My buddy has a Kenwood and the OEM antenna worked better than the 771 he got.  But he also didn't get the G version of the antenna, so that might have been the difference.

True...  Lesson #2..  Don't buy cheap radios..   Out of 14 Handhelds i own..  one is a Baufeng.   

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, WRKW566 said:

Nope, no coils. The shell is empty and what you see in the picture is what is there. The center "element" spring, what have you is crimped directly to the connector center conductor. what you have is what I expected to see when I popped open the assembly, which was super easy, I just partially screwed an adapter to the antenna ant put a screwdriver between the plastic cover and the adapter and pried it off. Caveat, I had been smacking stuff with the antenna too amuse myself so I bet I fractured the super glue holding it together. It smells like that.

You wuz took!

Actually, if you bought it as a GMRS radio (single band) there’s probably no need for a coil and capacitor. They’re there on my antenna because it was a dual band antenna. 

[LeoG]

23 minutes ago, WRUE951 said:

True...  Lesson #2..  Don't buy cheap radios..   Out of 14 Handhelds i own..  one is a Baufeng.   

My CCR works as expected and does a fine job for how I use it.  I have zero regrets.  The company treats me well.  No idea how they treat anyone else.  At this point I have no need for an expensive HT as the H3 suits it's purpose.

[WRUU653]

1 hour ago, WRKW566 said:

I had been smacking stuff with the antenna too amuse myself