Tested! ABBREE, TWAYRDIO, Smiley, MFJ Ham Radio Antennas & QuirkQRP ZipTenna! 

Should I test your favorite antenna? What is it?

Great video. Quick suggestion: use recorded audio for the test call. It would normalize the test for changes to distance from the mic and remove background noise including wind. Really appreciate these types of videos!! It would also be helpful to do a cw tone to measure signal strength instead of audio, maybe put your call in cw on the recorded audio?

Excellent work, Josh. Thanks for the contributions you make to the community!

Awesome video man! Can't wait for a receive test as well. .... can you add the Boefang in the test too. Because, you know everyone has one kicking around somewhere. Appreciate it my man.

Great concept to cover! Love how you're making the subjective objective. Keep up the great work!

So many acronyms 😮. I'm learning more every time I listen

Excellent video Josh! Just what I needed to know before purchasing antenna's.👍🤓

A comparison of a homemade quarter wave tiger tail vs the ZipTenna might prove interesting.

Good tests. Just ordered the MFJ Long Ranger. I already have the 47" Ambree. Two is one, One is none. Thanks!!!

Thank you Josh, exactly what I needed!

Thanks for letting us know, thanks for that very interesting thanks again , Alan from England 💯👍🇬🇧

Great work and well edited! Thanks!

I've got a couple 42" Abbree that I've use with a Baofeng HT and my IC-705. The BNC version for the 705 broke because it was folded and created weak points in the antenna. What was good about them was that they could be folded over just a couple of inches at the top and can lower the SWR on 2m next to nothing. I do have a FT3D and use a few antennas with. I've used a 42" Abbree, Diamond SRH770S and RH77CA, along with a signal stick. The 42" Abbree picks up APRS beacons much better than any other antenna I've used. The SRH770S is a good, all around antenna for field and home use. If one does Wires-X/YSF or any other digital vioce mode with a hotspot, the Diamond RH77CA is hands down the best antenna for that purpose, with next to nothing SWR on UHF. With what I've learned from the antennas I've used, each one has a different purpose. If one has an HT that does APRS and likes to go for hikes other outdoor activities, I recommend the Diamond SRH770S. It's a great antenna for the outdoors. It's flexible and will not fall over like a Abbree antenna will. I've used a Abbree 42" foldable on a Baofeng while hunting. It wasn't pretty and was more if a hassle than anything else. They're great around the house for getting into a repeater if you're outside.

Thanks for your efforts to educate us, and your work in making videos. I'm surprised no test showing the Comet SMA 24. I've had this on my FT60 for several years. Even came with spare o-ring in case of gap between radio and Antenna.

I like the Smiley antenna's, (to me) they sound much cleaner & understandable. I purchased 2-ABBREE's 48-inch antennas, and yes, its annoying how they self fold, because they have been in the Amazon stock warehouse for a very long time. I also purchased 2-Nagoya 771 antennas. for some odd reason I don't hear the difference. And yes, I made sure I purchased it from Nagoya Authentic. My next purchase is going to be the entire set of HamSticks.

This was a great test and we'll put together. Thanks for doing this. Looks like it was fun.

The smileys are right there and they are practical. I've used them for 30 years. You have to try the smiley stubby 2m it rocks. Hro had it for 10 bucks.

Outstanding reviews of these antennas. Been a ham since the 80’s and I am still learning things Hi Hi. I subscribed to your channel. 73’s

I like the antenna that works the best, so I will probably invest in the best 70 CM antenna you tested.

That Signal Stick has worked pretty well.

Thank you so much for doing this videos

Thanks for reviewing those antennas. Very informative. 73

I have a Signal Stick for my HT. My brother got a Nagoya 771 for his HT. I haven't been able to see his setup yet so don't know how it is, but I like my Signal Stick. I feel like quarter wave is a good balance between on-the-go usability and signal quality. I don't do anything where I would need the increased capability of a half or 5/8 wave, so it would be nothing but extra weight and volume being stored/transported.

BRAVO. Actual useful information.

I got a Tri bander Comet for my D74 but use the stock antennas on my older Icom dual band HTs. The big ABBREE is something I might want to have on hand for fringe areas but I'd never have it as a every day carry antenna.

I noticed a few years ago my Signal Stick didn't perform nearly as well as my Smiley 27000. I still like that's it's nearly indestructible, and I'm a fan of supporting local businesses. I use it when durability is more important than radio performance, but that's about it. I know the 1/4 wave 27000 doesn't perform as well as the 1/2 wave sticks, but it's a much more convenient size for daily use.

videos like this are very^2 important. Thank u 73 from 🇧🇷 😊👍

One antenna I didn’t see which is what I have is the TidRadio NA-771, which is what I use as a temporary replacement on my Baofeng UV-5RPro. Some of those antennas like the Smiley and MFJ sound *really* good, and I’d love to try those.

Two not so common but powerful additions to any kit...Especially with regards to current Day situations.. Diamond RH789 Telescoping Handheld Antenna & Diamond SRH770S

great comparison test , josh

I went with the 72cm (28 inch) Abbree just to try it, but before I bought one, I did some research and found out that the 48 inch does just almost the same performance so that is why I've got 28 inch so it's not too short and not too long. Beliveve it or not, the farthest contact Ive done with it at a height of more than 200 feet above sea level is 74km on simplex at 4 watts. Take note, I was just using a vintage Icom IC-02AT. It's a great and handy antenna for emergency purposes to carry around with for the "just in case" situations.

The data nerd in me loves the black and white objective numbers. Great video.

Love this video. Great info for where I am in my journey. I can't help but wonder how the Abree 47 performs folded. Also, your thoughts on vest mounted antenna?

A tip for the ABBREE... I have the 42.5" ABBREE and if (when at home) you store it unfolded it will lose the kinks and stop tending to fold up on you. I wish someone sold the actual military versions of these, as they were MUCH better built, but the ABBREE is a great antenna, IF you get a REAL one and avoid the counterfeit ones... They work great ran through the MOLLE straps on a pack.

Awesome information! Thank you!

Other antenna testers have said adapters like the one you used on the THWAYRDIO RH770 are actually adding length to the antenna thereby changing the resonant characteristics of the antenna. The change may be so small that it's negligible in your test scenario, but could be critical if you were at the absolute limits of a repeater's coverage.

Great video, very informative

Great work

Cool video. Funny because I was watching notarubicon and it was the one where you were helping find the "jammer". Then I was looking for antenna videos. I have much sadness because I pick absolutely 100% nothing on my Baofeng or my Quansheng. I think I probably need a better antenna. I live in a rural area so it's not surprising I don't hear much. Just not sure what to get.

Thank you for the video. Had no idea the MFJ was that good. Always thought Diamond was the top antenna. I was so wrong.

Finally a good video that isn’t a hour long

Cant wait for the receive test

Great video! I wonder if a 70cms version of this video is on its way.

I use a Signal Stick on my Yaesu FT2DR, and I'm getting into a repeater 26 miles away...in a mobile home with a stucco roof. I'd call that a win.

Great comparison!

wow , thanks ,I use the long ranger

If i could find a flex peice like the antennas we had on our ambitr radio antennas id be happy.

Bueno! That TWAY antenna looks like the "extra" antenna that came with some of the older Icom ID-51's for a better receive antenna. I have one of the old Anniversary models that included that antenna but confess I don't recall ever using it. Before you toss it, maybe do a receive test on AM or FM (non-ham bands) and see if any better?!?

Cool video! Thanks!

Awesome video. Thanks! :)

Ditch those rubber grommets, and go to a good hardware store and pick up some washers that will fit. Works much better. Thats how I solved the problem on mine. Love my 18 inch Abbree antenna. I now have the 13 and 15.35 inch versions. They all work great. But the 18 inch one is my go to when I'm doing field work and I need that little bit of extra range.

that is a fun project, but having broken gear is not so fun... Loved the experiment!

Great video. Thanks

Josh thanks for more great ham content! I would love to see you test home brew and commercial LEO sat antennas for portable use! Test of the Arrow as the baseline, then build and test a tape measure yagi, egg beaters, the canary jail and the few other home brew amsat antennas. I'm really torn right now as to what I should go with for both my portable and base amsat antenna so I would really appreciate it. 73s K8OTY

I'm really surprised by the Diamond SRH77A result. It was the antenna I was suggested when I got my tech license and just kept with it. Guess I'll have to switch.

The ziptenna is a neat idea, but there's two big problems I can see with it. First, HTs already capacitively couple to the holder and use them as a ground plane / counterpoise, so if the ziptenna doesn't account for that the precise length isn't very precise. Second, is it grounded? I couldn't tell for sure, but it looked like it was just near the SMA jack and not actually in contact with it... Maybe it does better if it is looped around the jack?

Roll up, N9TAX vs Ed Fong DBJ2, I'd love to see how they compare to each other, as well as the extendable "long range" offerings.

HT antennas - black art :-) Thanks nice comparison

Thought on the 47” … - Wouldn’t it be a great antenna of a handheld (4-5W) with extension coax-cable to a magnet on a steel roof rack of a 4x4 in the outback?

How about the Diamond SRH320A and the Comet HT-224? These are triband antennas that are perfect for that HT.

Josh, I have watched this video three times now! Great job. Like your objectivity and the attempts to level the field. I was surprised by the lackluster in the Diamond (pun intended). I have used them for years. This type of antenna group is a well represented cross section of what is out there, but yes, there are more! One thing that hit me after the third watch: what about the flip side of this coin? How do these stack up in the receiving arena? I think a bit more difficult to measure, but it was just a thought.

They getting clearer

Here a year later after release.. I like how the smiley sound.. I would like to ask for a tactical demonstration… I have a baofeng uv-5r.. I have a relocation antenna kit 90degree bnc … the relocation kit end is a sma-female.. so I have to get a sma-male antenna to attach.. now my question is… if the radio was designed for a sma-f antenna, would my relocation kit work , if I have to switch to a sma-male antenna? TWAYRDIO seems to be the only brand on Amazon that makes a decent sma-male antenna…. Any suggestions

I'd love to see some roll up jpole. I hike with my yaesu ft60 and plan on getting a roll up to take backpacking where there is no cell service at all

Abbree antenna is my favorite mainly for airsoft

I bought Nagoyas for my Chinese radios, NA771, NA24J (new high gain), NA781 (tri band), I hope I won't regret not buying a telescopic

Great apples to apples test!

BTW, great video editing. Seamless!

Just watched your video on HT antennas. I would like to know more of what or how you gathered the data at home when you were in the park. Thanks. Enjoyed the video. Steve KE8VHY

What does your test setup look like at home? I'd be interested in seeing if you have that automated and how you are recording all of that data!

Is there any quad band antennas for a VX-7r? Can one be home made?! Ideas? Need to cover 6m, 2m, 1.25m 70cm bands. All in one if possible.

Please do the abree at-776. I am just really surprised at the performance on mine. I’ve had it a few days.

questions: 1) at about 6:12 you talk about the antenna being the MFJ Long ranger, but the text reads "ABBREE 47" GOOSE", which is it?; 2) for a tri-band Kenwood D74A what would be your recommendation; 3) if an antenna gets too long i was thinking to just have a coax cable to separate the antenna from the HT, what are your thoughts on this; 4) I also have an AnyTone D878UVII Plus, what would be your recommendation for it? Thank you for doing this. And one last question, do you have any idea how your SNR test results compare to result on a Tiny VNA?

I jus ordered my third antenna, I’m beginning jus licensed General and how do people organize their HAM Handhelds, antennas??? Do you use faraday bags?? I have a Boafeng, now want to get a Yaesu with a field battery charger ability … How do you organize your HAM handheld Anntennas??

Thanks!

Thank U very much for such a Spectacular/Practical Test , No Manufacture can getaway from your test .. However the SWR reading would change significantly as your Head Approach the Walki-Talki and Antenna in TX Mode .. i had done this test in me house using MFJ Antenna Analyzer .. for instance , from the video i would consider "Signal Stick" is a little bit Longer for 146.5 Mhz "Test Frequency" ... i wish to consider a different method or to sweep the Frequency a little bit Up/Down to "give a chance" for the Antenna "subject to Test" to show it's maximum radiation..

I'm shocked. I swore by the Diamond RH77, and bought the signal stick to support hamstudy but never cared for it.

How about testing the Nagoya 771? Thanks the great service.

I got an identical Abree knock off of the long one and I find it's quite good and buries a rubber ducky stock antenna on a Baofeng, absolutely. And you can tell it's the same as an Abree, as it suffers the same gap, comes with the same couple of plastic grommets and has the same weakness they all have, at the joint where the flexible part, meets the solid base that then attaches to the radio at the bottom. I solved that middle joint weakness (because it is a complaint on ALL of the "tactical" folders like this, no matter the brand and will cause it to short out) by putting a simple hose clamp right over that joint. After making sure it was screwed on tight, then cinche a hose clamp down right over where the two meet. That should prevent loosening up and wobbling from it's gargantuan length. It's a hilariously funny antenna to try and use, don't even bother trying to ever stand it up on a table with a small radio, lol. The thing is so weighty and big, I sometimes hold the whole radio and antenna from the solid bottom base part of the antenna, as it is actually more balanced and not as unruly as holding the radio in your hand and trying to balance this monstrosity, lol. Think of it as kinda the same concept as choking up higher on a baseball bat, for better swing control and it tames its unruliness. Same thing here and although I would never hold a radio from the antenna, on this one it is perfectly acceptable. That base is thick and well fastened/constructed where the antenna meets the radio. It's fine, it's that joint above it that's the problem. Funnily enough, my cheaper Abree knock off, did not suffer this "limp from being stored too long in the same folded position" problem and is pretty solid really. But I love that you showed and said that! I immediately went and refolded mine in some unused nice stiffer spots, that had never been folded, because it does indeed tend to soften and get weaker if you keep folding them the same way and fold areas over and over. Great tip, I now know how to preserve mine longer. Meh, for a mere $10 I took a chance and A:) It's cheaper than an Abree for the same cheap antenna, quite literally identical in every way. B:) It's quite clear and nice when it picks something up and beats others. And C:) it actually isn't as limp and fragile as your Abree either?! I call that a win. If it eventually goes, I am not going care because I will own some more reliable telescopic ones instead, lol. I bought those 40 odd incher folders just for laughs as much as practicality and they are surprisingly good at RX for me and obviously, TX for you (I have no ham licence yet) and my experience was much the same. Not bad for cheap junk really, hahaha. How many things can you say that about?!

RU-vid has dragged me down a rabbit hole for HT rat tails to improve signal. Do you have a video comparing that zip lanyard to rat tails to just making sure you are touching the screw while transmitting? I am really curious if there's a difference between the 3.

Best extendable hand held ham radio antenna for the anytone 878 and the baofeng ... thanks?

I have a tri-band Ht, can the Twayrdio do 220 as well?

I am really surprised to see the Diamond SRH77CA do so badly compared to the other ones.

Keep the monster Abree. Nothing is funnier than the the tiny baofeng with 4 feet of antenna... may not be the best on the physics side. But it is hillarious to see the looks of the other folks at the city park when you set up...

NICE!!!

Love these antenna videos! Do you still have the Expert Power dual band antenna? I got a couple after seeing an older video of yours and have been happy with them as a cheap upgrade from stock rubber ducks. It would be nice to see some real data though!

Great test..

What would those differences amount to in terms of range? Roughly, of course. It would be interesting to take the best, middle, and worst of those antennas and do a range test.

Great test! My two favorites - the Diamond and Signal Stick were not producing the results I hoped for. Maybe they’ll shine in another test?

How much do coax cables reduce the signal?

What I always miss in those tests are Abree in folded position.

I would think measuring S11 would give another quantitative measurement. Perhaps just with a cheap NanoVNA. Or a Spectrum Analyzer with tracking generator and Directional Coupler.

I like the td771 from Amazon

Very cool

Thank you for the report, interesting. Interesting for the gadget hounds. Practically speaking, I guess I don't get it. All of this for using a distant repeater? If you are using a repeater, what's the real point? Cell phones don't need outboard antenna and they work almost everywhere and we are talking very low power devices.

Awesome

Did you tune the antennas first?

With these antennas does the SWR matter ?

Maybe it's mentioned somewhere, but can you tell me what equipment you're using at home to record these transmissions? I'd like to do various similar tests where I am at, and my wife is tired of monitoring the radios.

I'd like these tests on mag mount mobile antennas. I'm in the market for a new one.