2/70cm Improved handheld antenna recommendations please

Equipment
1

Hello all,

I’m looking for an improved tough handheld antenna for use with my Baofeng which ones would you recommend from your experiences .So for my record with the standard Baofeng antenna with 1 watt on 70 cms is 78 miles with about the same on 2 meters I’m keen to see just how far is possible !

Thanks all

Brad

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Brad, there are many, many choices. Here’s my three:

  1. A Nagoya whip, which is a bit longer.
  2. A Diamond rh-770, which is telescopic.
  3. A slim jim, or slim-g, which goes up a pole, while you sit in comfort. This is a 2m only antenna.

I have videos on this subject. Here’s one:
https://youtu.be/caXFWHw4oBI?si=ZQA7KaMAkXGg3jGG

If you go down the telescopic route, there are many cheap clones available that work just about as well.
https://youtu.be/BiIZL8UDvOk?si=Hu9TmsSUG3GubwsV

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Brad watch out if you use longer antennas that you do not strain the connector on your handheld. Many are designed only for the standard length antenna. When you add a longer and heaver antenna you need to ensure you do not stress the connector, especially as so many hand helds now use SMA connectors.

You can improve the performance of the existing antenna by adding a better earthy side to the antenna. Typically the rubber duck gets its earth component from the big sack of salty lard holding the radio. Adding a 1/4wavelength of wire to the earth side makes a 3dB improvement on my VX-170. I used a ring connector and soldered a 1/4wave of PVC hookup wire to that. Unscrew the rubber duck, drop the ring connector over the SMA and re attach the rubber duck…job done.

So just be careful if you invest in anything longer and heavier.

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Look for this 2 Meter Slim Jim Antenna - 300 Ohm Twinlead Version

73
PY2VM

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Fair point. The rh-770 is for static use only. Unscrew your rubber duckie and put the telescopic whip on when you are at the summit. Make sure it is a snug fit onto your radio. A small rubber spacer may be needed to ensure the entire base of the antenna is supported.

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I use the Diamond RH-770 too and have good success with it. Good example was yesterday I was able to hear and get in to a repeater on 2m which was 80 miles away.

Works well on 2m and 70cm with my Yaesu FT-65. I have used an Ali Express 2m band pass filter on Ben of Howth before and it works great too.

I also have a Slim G from Spectrum, that works great as well, no issues. Finally I have an official Nagoya whip too. Rarely use it though as I like the Diamond instead…

For my Uniden scanner I use a Diamond receiver whip too. I forget the model number now, possibly RH-771? I’ll check.

Final contender is the Diamond RHM-12 which I only got the other day. Easy to set up for 70cm and 2m and works really well.

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I have done this my self in the past and have to say the improvement is really impressive. But wondered if the same was done with an improved antenna. I only intend to use it when Static rather than walking so that should help with any knocks and bangs the antenna would pick up… I have also built Slim Jims and Jpoles in the past but my real favourite because of the dual band capabilities and extra gain on 70cms is the Dual band Flower pot.

Thanks all for your info

Brad

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