#HamRadio handheld VHF/UHF transceivers typically sport...

#HamRadio handheld VHF/UHF transceivers typically sport antennas roughly 8 cm long. Those have two main properties:

- Their small size makes it easy to carry the handheld around or stow it.

- They are a disaster performancewise. Especially on transmit, they don't even start to let you experience what your handheld is really capable of.

Antennas abt 30 cm long are a LOT better electrically. 🧵

Also, it is fun to occasionally use a handheld with a serious station antenna.

@ve3qbz @alper

Like 9 October at 21:36 | Wall-to-wall | Open on mastodon.radio

2 comments

Stefan Fendt

@dj3ei @ve3qbz @alper

This is exactly why I always change the antenna connector to BNC for any HT I own/buy, first. Operating the HT on the station antenna is a lot of fun, sometimes.

And I only buy BNC antennas for these HTs, too.

Personal opinion: I love the Diamond RHF-10 for being extremely short/convenient for local repeater operation. But I also love the Diamond RH-519 for having a much, much better reach and still being short and thin.

Comet usually offers mostly good knockoffs, btw.

9 October at 22:00 | Open on mastodon.social

Scott VE3QBZ

@stefanfendt @dj3ei @alper yup, I learned to use BNC adapters from the good folks on here.

9 October at 22:09 | Open on mastodon.radio