ABBREE 42.5" VHF/UHF Blade Antenna Absurd but works well !

[@randythomas4495]

I been using this 42.5 inch antenna for over a year and its the best antenna around. Even better than the Nagoya. I ordered ten of them and use them on all my hand helps. The 42.5 can reach the repeater where all other antennas I tested can't so if it is good range you are looking for then this is your antenna. I am in the army and we actually removed the antennas on our hand helds and replaced with this 42.5

[@survivalcomms]

LOL thanks for watching !

[@dunerinaz]

@@survivalcomms No reason to be an egocentric prick. You ham guys really are a punch of no-life douchebags

[@GBW175]

Thx for the info. Had the same concerns/thoughts. I’ve been using the 771s for a while. Bought the Abbree. I’m able to hit a distant VHF repeater. Especially appreciate the details VHF vs UHF on it. Since I’m in very flat land. Good job. Thx again. 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@survivalcomms]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching !

[@longrider42]

I use the Abbree 18.8 inch antenna. I've used it all summer on a TYT UV8000E, HT. It has improved the performance of that radio a great deal. I use two frequencies in Cheyenne WY, where I live, both are repeaters. First is 146.775, I get a SWR of 1.17, and 449.300, and I tested it three times, I get a SWR of 1.08, very odd, but works well. An interesting note, the Abbree antenna is only rated for "8 watts" but my TYT has the potential to put out 10 watts, but in all of the use I've put it too, the antenna has never heated up. I have tried to contact Abbree, but have had no luck of late. So there you go. Oh, I had to modify the base of the antenna a bit to fit my TYT , but it now sits secure and flush with the radio. One last note, I have the Nagoya NA 771 antenna, and the Abbree, out preforms it.

[@survivalcomms]

I think the shorter variant is much more practical and am glad to hear that it is working well for you. I wouldn't worry too much about the power rating of the antenna as long as you are using it within its frequency design parameters. Good luck contacting the manufacturer - it's been my experience that unless it is a marketing angle they really have little interest. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience !

[@nicholasquintero1080]

That was the best test I have ever watched. Great job 👏👏

[@survivalcomms]

Thank you very much ! Thanks for watching !

[@kennethh5657]

I use one strapped to the frame of my pack when I'm out hiking. I use a short piece of patch cable and a tiger tail. Seems to work well. Hits every low hanging branch, but in the open it gets the antenna up pretty high up.

[@survivalcomms]

That is the way to use it if one chooses this antenna. I have done the same in testing and that is the most practical to use it. I would like to see a photo of your setup. Thanks for watching !

[@nateo200]

Yup! I was thinking the same thing. I did this for a couple of friends with regular whip antennas. How long is your tiger tail? The standard length for VHF or UHF or what? I plan on using this for VHF primarily with groups over the hilly terrain of Upstate NY.

[@kennethh5657]

@@nateo200 I primarily use VHF, so I think it's 19.5 inchs. I'm sure it would be better if both the antenna and tiger tail were matched. Meaning quarter wave antenna and quarter wave tiger tail. But I never got around to making a new one. Still seems to work. 🤷

[@survivalcomms]

@@kennethh5657 The VHF length (19") one will work for UHF just as well. I did a video on making one out of stainless cable.

[@dwaynerobertson383]

I'd love to see a picture of that too. Sounds like a practical backpack set-up...and mine is on it's way today; radio with this antenna included, and the Nagoya 771. The Abbree was a throw-in bonus package deal I suppose. I'll keep it in my pack, but when I read your comment the backpack set-up made perfect sense.

[@tonycantrell9547]

I have both lengths of this style of antenna. I got then main for the novelty but inside my house I found the 42 inch recieved better and hit our 2m repeater better. My signal report was better anyway. With the nagoya I can barely kick the repeater. The tower is about 25 miles from my home and 750ft up the tower.

[@survivalcomms]

It does work well for sure it is just impractical for a portable IMHO. Im pretty sure it is a 5/8 wave which is a true 3dbd with a counterpoise. For a lunchbox radio, back of set antenna with a counterpoise, or as a radiator over a groundplane as a packable field antenna I think it may be useful. Thanks for watching !

[@imjustmetoo7419]

I am impatiently awaiting the arrival of mine. :)

[@survivalcomms]

Is there a delay in them shipping ?

[@imjustmetoo7419]

@@survivalcomms I'm just impatient. Lol. But this is day four I believe. I would have to check my track order to be sure.

[@HardcoreFourSix]

Brett, these "blade"antennas are offered in several different lengths,and I believe that some also feature a gooseneck section, making it look like the old PRC-77 short whip. The 42.5 is longest that I have seen. Would dropping down to a shorter one provide a more efficient antenna for VHF?

[@survivalcomms]

I believe it would be more practical with a shorter blade. The coil might be a problem as it is likely tuned for this blade length . I considered trimming this blade to resonance and using it for another project . I have a scavenged busted tape measure I was going to make antennas out of and indeed a short blade 77 antenna would be cool. Thanks for watching !

[@longrider42]

I have the 18.8 inch antenna. SWR at 146.775 is 1.17 at 449.300, and I tested it three times, I got a SWR reading of 1.08. So there you go.

[@survivalcomms]

Cool beans !

[@rohawaha]

Thought I was the only person who remembered the PRC -77 Communications expert school Camp Pendleton Ca. 1976

[@brazenbull636]

I got one of these "permanently" mounted to my go bag. Woven thru the molle on the side with a 16" lmr1xx(something) cable with a right angle bnc so my yaesu can stay inside the bag. Mine works very well. Bought a couple more yesterday, a 42" and a 18"..

[@survivalcomms]

Cool ! you can do that with a commercial mobile antenna and an NMO mount with a stainless cable resonator / counterpoise as well. Thanks for watching !

[@stevesmith7530]

Molle weaving is exactly what these types of antenna are designed for

[@markplott4820]

I use the OLD reliable, the Radio Shack Telescoping Center loaded HAM antenna, it’s just 6” closed and 26” fully extended, you can even transmit 5w, and is great for QRP operation, it even has a center load so no ground plane is needed and it’s fully Tunable from 25 - 1300 MHz by opening or closing the sections.

[@survivalcomms]

I still have a couple of those here. Thanks for watching !

[@YouTubeDoxedMyRealName]

I live in an area with practically no signal. We dont even get regular AM or wireless TV signals. The Abbree antenna lets me hear the repeater I like to listen to no problem. I usually have to be 10 miles north to pick it up. But oddly it works better if I lay it horizontally... Not a problem but just something I noticed. I hear the 28" preforms about the same as the 46" so it seems that after a certain length you really arent gaining much and even less when its folded. Which I did notice it does not like to be folded...

[@survivalcomms]

You are likely not gaining much over a quarterwave in using the abbree antenna but you are gaining some. its interesting its working better horizontially. In fringe coverage the slightest interaction with other close objects can make a big difference. Is this in one spot or have you been able to repeat it in multiple locations ? Thanks for watching !

[@YouTubeDoxedMyRealName]

@@survivalcomms The whole area as in all of the south end of my county is like this even though in some places I have basically line of sight to the repeater...

[@survivalcomms]

@@KZbinDoxedMyRealName Is the site set up for coverage in the opposite direction of where you are operating from ? What antenna are they using and is it side or top mounted ?

[@YouTubeDoxedMyRealName]

@@survivalcomms Their repeater is up on a mountain behind my county along with all the TV and radio towers. They have a massive array of antennas up their mounted on a giant mast on top of a steel reinforced cinder block building. I dont know whick is for what and I haven't been up their sice they closed the road due to fires a few years back. I suppose the repeater might be set up to reach the county north of me and I am in the south of my county. The farther north I go the better the signal gets. My Extreme Power works better vertically in the exact same spots how ever.

[@Andrew-dg7qm]

Thanks for the video. I have one on the way. Right now I can’t hit UHF or VHF repeaters from my house on my UV-5R. I have the same Nagoya. We will see if it helps. In the meantime I’ll have to check out your bug out bag antenna. Thanks

[@survivalcomms]

You are welcome let us know how it works. Thanks for watching !

[@rollingthunder915]

Let's face it. With an HT, anything under 3:1 is acceptable; 2:1 is very good. Both the Abbree and the Nagoya are impressive. I'll be getting an Abbree.

[@survivalcomms]

Cool have fun. Thanks for watching !

[@bobbyt2788]

I have two. They both resonate in the 220 MHz range. SWR above 5:1 at 2m.

[@survivalcomms]

Does not surprise me. There is zero QC on this stuff. Thanks for watching !

[@hubzcaps]

Yours is legit to. Bout to get mine remembered or to get the spacers.

[@survivalcomms]

Thank you ! Thanks for watching !

[@barrettfrederick12]

pro tip: you can watch series at Kaldrostream. Been using them for watching lots of of movies lately.

[@sylassaint6820]

@Barrett Frederick yea, been watching on kaldroStream for since november myself :D

[@robertjohnson2586]

Thanks for sharing that was very helpful

[@survivalcomms]

You are welcome ! Thank you for watching !

[@dang25272549]

Thanks for your good work very helpful sir.👍

[@survivalcomms]

You are welcome. I am glad it helped. Thanks for watching !

[@TheRadickale]

Thank you for your review of this antenna. I'm a little bit surprised by the SWR of NA771. I've seen many review of this and the common SWR result was 1.1/1.3 ! So i've seen here some people sayed theire antenna has a SWR of 1.1, approximatively. Also, someone can send me a link for this antenna, smaller than this one like 18 inch.

[@survivalcomms]

I was surprised as well. Handheld radio antennas are generally difficult to get a match on . The only thing I have seen a perfect match on is a dummy load :) Amazon has the short one for $11.50. Thanks for watching !

[@TheRadickale]

Arf, i don't know if it's the good one with the green package... I've seen in com a guy who received a yellow packaged one...

[@survivalcomms]

@@TheRadickale This a real one according to Nagoya. There is plenty of counterfeit stuff out there though however.....

[@JeffHochberg]

What’s the forestry service radio you showed in the video? You made a comment that they’re really great radios if you can get your hands on one.

[@survivalcomms]

It is a Bendix King EPH 5102 . They don't narrowband so many are available surplus in the 20 - 100 dollar range depending on accessories. The PRC127 is the military equivalent. I should do a video on them. They are a big heavy radio but they are a real radio and not a chicom toy. Thanks for watching !

[@JeffHochberg]

SurvivalComms funny...I was searching around and found several Bendix radios that looked very similar and figured that’s what it was. Thanks for doing what you do! Seeing the Abbree “Mickey mouse” antenna get out through the paces was amusing! I’d be willing to bet that nobody at Abbree connected one to a Bird tester. 😂

[@survivalcomms]

@@JeffHochberg You are welcome ! Mine has that stainless shield over the keypad. Makes it look a bit different. We had a whole fleet of BK LPX2101's for public works back in the day on conventional 800 before the trunking bug bit. I like using test equipment for evals . It is a tad more scientific. I realize I am lacking an anechoic chamber and a good spectrum analyzer so I roll with what I got. Beats kerchunking repeaters IMHO. I have done some more testing of the abbree and it will be in an upcoming video. Thanks for watching !

[@Theonewhoroamstherealms]

I hadvthe same issue the antenna broke at the connector, although I did order an extension cable for this

[@survivalcomms]

If one is going to run this antenna that is the best way to go. The stress it puts on the connector is considerable. Thanks for watching !

[@Theonewhoroamstherealms]

@@survivalcomms And thank you for all the time you put into great content 👍🏻

[@survivalcomms]

@@Theonewhoroamstherealms You are welcome Thank you very much !

[@allenvestal4474]

License is cheap and easy to get so I will get one for emergencies but I mostly monitor. I think I am going to get one of these instead of the Nagoya 771.

[@survivalcomms]

Cool just don't break your RF connector with it. Thanks for watching !

[@allenvestal4474]

@@survivalcomms Disabled. Always home. It will only get moved from my computer room to my bedroom I think it will be OK.

[@pep729]

I'm thinking of getting one but 42 inches seems way too awkward for my needs. So 18 or 28in? What ya think?

[@survivalcomms]

42" is way too awkward and it will break your radio's RF connector. Get an antenna based on a 1/4 wave which is like 19" Its easy to build one, large enough to be effective, and sized to be practical. Hope this helps and thanks for watching !

[@beingsneaky]

@@survivalcomms hmm get a longer one 28inch an cut it down?

[@survivalcomms]

@@beingsneaky There is a matching section in the base - Cutting it may make it unservicable. I put my 42" one on a ground plane kit I made and use it that way. I did a video on it sometime back. Thanks for watching !

[@TrendingPendingVideos]

My radio goes to 130mhz to 520mhz so why does all antennas say they don’t go that low yet I receive 130 still anyway?

[@survivalcomms]

Receive you wont have a problem . When you transmit it will not present the correct impedance and will reflect a larger percentage of the forward power than is desirable. An antenna is a tuned circuit. Thanks for watching !

[@mikecontreras1261]

are there any stress on the SMA after a while's use?

[@survivalcomms]

This antenna will break your radio over time without extraordinary care. Get one of the thin rat tail antennas for your primary and a small ground plane kit for the rat tail if you need better coverage IMHO. Thanks for watching !

[@Falconguygaming]

Do you think trimming it shorter would help? is that feasible?

[@survivalcomms]

You could try it and put on a heat shrink tip. It is resonant at 135 mhz so shortening it would help tune it. Its just so doggone big and no good at all folded up. Thanks for watching !

[@Falconguygaming]

@@survivalcomms I'm looking at an antenna for MURS(151-154mhz) for longest reach, not all the time use, I'm running a nagoya 771 for everyday stuff. I don't have a SWR meter. How would you go about tuning/trimming it? Thanks, I just found your channel and am now bingeing lol

[@survivalcomms]

@@Falconguygaming have you thought about adding a counterpoise wire to your Nagoya ? That would likely help and cost very little. I have a video on it.

[@Falconguygaming]

@@survivalcomms yeah just got saw that one. Will definitely try it out after this hurricane lol. Thanks for the content man!

[@williamwiese9963]

Hello Brett, I was curious can I run this on my Yaesu FT 65? Great video

[@survivalcomms]

Thank you ! I do not know for sure if it will fit. Here are the dimensions of the base of the antenna : The base diameter of the antenna is .750 (19mm). The inside diameter of the relieved base body is .470 (12mm) and the depth of the relief is .070 (1.8mm). The kit includes 2 rubber gaskets to fill in the relieved section if required. Thanks for watching !

[@forgetyourlife]

It fits the ft-65

[@beingsneaky]

only interested in one frequency 173.07?? i think it is.. ideal length it seen was 16.28 inches?

[@survivalcomms]

16 1/4" inches is a quarter wavelength at that frequency. Thanks for watching !

[@frankthetank3342]

Wonder how difficult to remove end cap and shorten to better tune?

[@survivalcomms]

It's a folded over tape measure. You could remove the cap and heat shrink and shorten by removing the screws at the base and shortening one leg. Thanks for watching !

[@2mdjr532]

What's the radio on 2:51? Im curious HI HI I like the look of that.

[@survivalcomms]

Bendix King EPH. Also known as an AN/PRC127. Thanks for watching !

[@stephenwade8093]

Great test, plenty of information, thank you...VK3HJW.

[@survivalcomms]

You are welcome ! Thanks for watching !

[@Undermin3d.]

Can you link the video to the antenna in a can you showed at the end?

[@kg4tri]

I think that long one is more practical if you clip the radio to a belt or backpack and use a speaker/mic. I have been thinking about getting one and adapting it to BNC and putting it on my FT817. I would like to know what you used to build up that adapter to use on your meter. Other videos I have seen on this antenna where they just transmitted to a distinct repeater and listen on another radio showed better transmit and reception on the ABBREE. Also I would like to get the link on your bugout antenna that you showed? I might want to try that out for my apartment setup. I have DStar HT and have problems getting into the repeater I would like to see which works better for me.

[@zensarifin4072]

Does this antenna can work at 136-520mhz frequency

[@survivalcomms]

In testing this antenna in that range there are two points where it is resonant 137mhz and 420mhz. In the 144-148 mhz range VSWR is 2.13 :1 and in the 440-450 range it is 2.05:1 it is almost 3:1 at 462 mhz . I hope this helps ! Thanks for watching !

[@zensarifin4072]

@@survivalcomms thanks alot my frend

[@zensarifin4072]

@@survivalcomms that is, if I play at 454,075 using a 108cm tactical antenna, will it increase the range of the device trasmit,

[@survivalcomms]

@@zensarifin4072 It will somewhat.

[@survivalcomms]

@@zensarifin4072 You are welcome

[@jhsplaya]

There’s actually an 48.8in by Abbree now

[@survivalcomms]

LOL I can imagine .

[@craigpalmer9196]

how hard a job would be for a non radio tech to remove the smw and install a bnc?

[@survivalcomms]

They might offer them with a BNC out of the box. Changing it yourself would be impractical. Making your own blade antenna would make more sense IMHO. Thanks for watching !

[@MrBenEye]

@@survivalcomms There is a BNC option!

[@kellymelly971]

Good job thank you TA4AQF 73

[@survivalcomms]

Thank you ! Thanks for watching !

[@sagemata5756]

would this work on my xpr6550 its SMA Female?

[@survivalcomms]

It does not mate up well the the XPR6550. The radio's housing does not allow the oversized base of the antenna to thread in far enough. I hope this helps and thanks for watching !

[@sagemata5756]

What about using an adapter?

[@survivalcomms]

@@sagemata5756 You could do that - However you will need to build up some sort of shoulder around the outside of the adaptor to spread the footprint of the antenna assembly for reinforcement purposes. The weight of the antenna will break the adaptor or your SMA in the 6550. I snapped a double male in half when I was testing the antenna on the AT400. I reinforced my second adapter to continue the testing. Another option is a tiny jumper of quality coax as a flexible adapter to relieve strain on the RF connection. This may work well but would require the antenna be placed against a non conductive support structure. SMA is an excellent RF connector but its diminutive size does not lend itself to strength with lateral force applied. I feel like a better option is a small ground plane or roll up jpole with 15' of compact feedline. I hope this helps !

[@sagemata5756]

Yes my thoughts exactly about the structural support. Ill more than likely continue to pursue the ABBREE but maybe the 28 inch version. Thank you for quick response.

[@thuff3207]

I would agree it’s just not practical. I have a roll up Jpole for my portable ie bugout.

[@survivalcomms]

The roll up Jpole is a great choice ! This antenna is a broken RF connector waiting to happen. Thanks for watching !

[@DirtRider22a]

The GD Germans got nothing to do with it!!!!

[@michaelcoffman3843]

LOL. I know that line well!

[@GoDaveGo]

Absurd? Oh, you mean the standard antenna for military 2m radios.

[@survivalcomms]

Do you even know what you are saying or are you being paid to say it ?

[@topshot95]

Though about getting one and no. Its to big

[@survivalcomms]

It is enormous - like cartoon large. The long whips out there are pretty decent performers and much more practical IMHO. Thanks for watching !

[@topshot95]

@@survivalcomms I've been shopping around for the perfect antenna for gmrs , Public Safety and amateur radio

[@survivalcomms]

For a portable radio ? The Motorola KT000026A01 for the APX8000 does VHF/UHF/700/800 in one whip.

[@topshot95]

@@survivalcomms I kind of want a whip antenna because they get the best performance

[@GreekPreparedness]

Thanks for testing this... Indeed it is a good candidate for a field groundplane antenna, this is the first thing it came to mind when i saw it. Guess we have to thank the airsoft milsim crowd for driving the market!

[@mrashad219]

That's like an MBITER antenna

[@survivalcomms]

Yes its like a clone of it for the airsoft crowd. Thanks for watching !

[@VK2UAL]

I have mine on my FT817ND that is in my go bag / E-com and it rips in that use for me . It goes without saying as you have shown at the end of the tests that it is not for ht use. Think outside the ht lol Richard vk2ual

[@survivalcomms]

I built a pocket sized ground plane kit with a section of RG58 and its a great "jungle" antenna. One of my subscribers came up with the idea and it worked out well It is a real 5/8 wave 3dbd on VHF - the only real competition in packable antennas is a tape measure yagi or a tree top rhombic. Video is forthcoming. Thanks for watching !

[@Mxyzptlk21]

My 27” is worthless.

[@survivalcomms]

Does not surprise me. I have had folks tell me mine was a counterfeit yadayadayada. Its like all chicom tech it is hit or miss and geared towards sales. Get a 1/4 wave rat tail and you are good to go IMHO. Thanks for watching !

[@bboor111]

its a tape measure

[@survivalcomms]

Folded in half and joined at the base to a matching network. Thanks for watching !

[@juansanudo9899]

Get a na-771

[@survivalcomms]

That or one of the thin whips for sure. Thanks for watching !

[@dunerinaz]

The only absurdity is you calling something that works absurd. Get over yourself.

[@survivalcomms]

Thanks for watching !