Antenna Choice for long distance HT operation | K7SW ham radio

[@Henviggdbgjt]

Excellent video. I’m surprised to see just how much reflection takes place off the mountains. 73 de KLØT

[@jimearl1499]

RE: FT-60 - I had the same low-audio issue with my FT-60. They put a piece of membrane in between the mic opening and the condenser mic inside the radio, which really muffles the audio. You can take the radio apart and remove the plastic, and your will get much better audio quality. See this video which describes how to improve the audio: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGSyp6lrlLmJhMk

[@DE-ke2rf]

Looks like you got 2 adapters on that cable. Get a 90 elbow & take some of the stress off that little sma connector.

[@Model3GenerativeANdroid]

Awesome practical antenna demonstration 🥰

[@billbolen8115]

Great demo of antennas. It gives me something to think about when I put my ECOMM pack together. 73, de W4YAH - Bill

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Bill, thank you. Yes there are many ways to setup an emergency communication setup. I might go so far as to say that the only wrong way is to not do it at all. 👍

[@nojiratzlaff4388]

Once again, well done, my friend. People joke about having a great face for radio, but you *do* look great and have a terrific stage presence. Your videos are interesting, not wordy, and draws me in with the way you speak. You also keep the camera still much of the time, a talent I wish other KZbinrs would learn.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thank you Noji !

[@Littrell1966]

Thanks for the great info!!!

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thank you for watching🙂

[@johng1560]

How about ice fishing on a pond

[@Inkling777]

You might try adding a 'tiger tale'-a quarter-wave counterpoise that is just a 19" wire on two. Also try a collapsible half wave. Both are more compact that beams and both helped me reach distant repeaters in a test I ran.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Michael, that is a great idea. I could do a more comprehensive antenna test including your suggested antenna ideas, testing is such a fun part of the hobby and could really help operators that have never experienced those options. Thanks for watching.😎

[@johnroberts6695]

YES, I've heard a lot about the value of tiger tails, but alas, not how to make them. Signal Stuff (S.S) says the chassis of a radio is part of the antenna. That's why consumer level SWR meters are problematic. I'd love to know how to make them.

[@hgavhvhj]

How far is the distance between you and the other device? Can i use icom 2300 on car?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

In this video we were about 30 miles reflecting off of mountains from in a canyon with no direct line of sight to the far end repeater. You could use an Icom-2300 but you will need to mount the antenna on a stand that is away from you. Do not hold this antenna while transmitting on high power.

[@blakepresent]

As always, this was a great video. I learned a lot from it, such as don’t just make Qso s test your equipment and sweeping the area with my arrow. Thank you again.

[@MikeN2MAK]

Nice test. The Yaseu FT-4XR, similar to the FT-65, was my first radio. And the Signal Stick was my first antenna. Both are great. I just got the newer "Low Temperature" Signal Stick and it works great in the Western NY winters. The Arrow Antenna has been on the wish list, LOL.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

The newer low temp material would be nice. I can see myself ordering one. Yasue makes good hand held radios

[@johnroberts6695]

Based on what I read, the low temperature (-4°F) Signal Stick (S.S) does well in the lower temperatures, but have you seen any difference at all in performance between that and the standard S.S? The low temp S.S is less pliable than the standard model, but it doesn't bend back over on itself like the standard model. One antenna I've been curious about is the heavy gauge Retevis RHD-771. I have several and they seem to work well. They have a maximum power output of 20W, the same as the Abbree flat-tacts. But I've never seen any reviews. Too many reviewers plug their antennas into their consumer level VSWR meters, print out the numbers, pat us on the head and send us on our way. S.S tells us, OTOH, that these meters are pretty much useless with HTs, adding that the chassis of the radio is a vital part of the antenna. Thus, when one changes the radio, the numbers change too. Retevis reps maintain that its antennas are tested with much better equipment than one can buy at Amazon, and they bristle when users announce that those antennas have high VSWR numbers. And S.S declares on its website that regardless of whether its antennas have high or low readings, those readings are most likely inaccurate. Such inexpensive (cheap) equipment is fine for mobile or base station setups, it just doesn't work with HTs.

[@MikeN2MAK]

@@johnroberts6695 I just used the low temp Signal Stick on a SOTA/POTA last weekend in Western NY. It was around 28F and it didn't go limp at all. The performance was fine. It's a little more "rigid" than the original Signal Stick, but it can still be tied in a knot. It fits my use for the winters we have in the northeast.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Have you ever experienced trying to use your HT from a remote location ? Did you have what you needed to make "that call" What is your strategy or plan for making sure your HT can get out when you need it to ? Antenna's , Microphones, extra batteries ?

[@johnroberts6695]

What are your views about power, Kevin? Some people say five watts is pretty much the ultimate for an HT --- after that, start putting your money into antennas. Others say as long as you're seeing increases of 75 percent or greater in power, yes, you will see performance increases as long as your antenna can handle the increase. (Most whip antennas max out at 10 watts, and that's fine for most HTs, but I recently bought a couple of radtel 10W RT-470 radios, and both put out _14 watts_ on VHF and _11 watts_ on UHF, and though I'm fairly confident that a 10W antenna could handle 11 watts, I'm not sure it could handle 14 watts of powwwwwweeeer, unlimited powwweeer! Uh, sorry, I get carried away. Anyway, if one has two radios, one 4W or 5W, and the other 14 watts, I've got to think one would get _some_ sort of a return, especially when using a 100W Signal Stick (S.S) antenna or even an Abbree 20W flat-tact. Some say the power goes toward, or directly is applied, to “penetration.” But how does all this happen? One has two radios, one 5 watts, and the other 14 watts. Here are the radio outputs: Frequency HIGH MED LOW ---------------------- 140.000 13.75W 7.36W 5.75W 142.725 13.30W 8.71W 3.69W 143.500 13.55W 8.67W 3.89W 144.000 13.61W 7.40W 5.92W 146.355 14.45W 7.31W 3.54W 440.525 10.93W 5.03W 1.86W 442.000 11.36W 5.17W 1.89W 446.252 11.34W 5.24W 2.00W One can always reduce the power one emits, opting for medium outputs over high, but is this advisable? What would have happened if you had taken a 14W radio and attached a S.S antenna or a ridiculous 45-inch Abbree flat-tact? to it. Do you think the extra power have made any difference?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

More important than the power levels you listed. You should refer to the ARRL rf exposure charts and not expose yourself to high levels of RF with an HT being close to your head. Use an external antenna that can be put at a distance from you . To your question, spend more on better antennas. Antennas will make a bigger difference for you in your application.

[@johnroberts6695]

​@@hamradiowithkevin » Great advice. I always keep it pointed away from my head _and_ I use it in LOW or MEDIUM. About a year ago I listened to a story by Mr. Ballin about a family that, in the dead of winter, took an old Oregon logging road and ended up trapped in a snowbank. Unable to move, with a fully charged phone that couldn't reach the nearest tower miles away, this man, his wife and two small children waited for days. A helicopter pilot, alerted by the man's family, went out looking for them. The man had no CB or ham radio with him, and this story made me realize that a $20 radio can play a vital role in emergency situations --- providing one is on the right frequency and has the right antenna. Even a twenty-dollar radio should work. Being fairly new to the hobby, it made me think that an inexpensive Baofeng radio and a 45-inch Abbree flat-tact could go a long way in securing a rescue. For the $$$, though, I'm much more impressed with the UV-82 (8W) vice the UV-5R. (The rubber on my 5R keys tends to flake off after awhile but lasts forever on my 82.) I don't know why the FCC doesn't designate an emergency frequency on ham or GMRS. But, again, I don't know how much power comes into play when it comes to line-of-sight distance.

[@miriamsmith7135]

Great video. I use Comet antennas on most of my handhelds The best antenna I have is a Diamond. RH205. I use it on an Icom IC V86. The Diamond RH205 is a telescoping antenna and when fully extended is 52.8 inches making it a 5/6 wave antenna.. I only wish they would make the antenna so it would fit my other radios, so I don't have to use a bnc adaptor.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Miriam, that is a big 'ol antenna, very nice ! I agree, adapters are not very good when going on an HT. Thank you for sharing and for watching . 73

[@patrickmitchell100]

How about receiving signal does it work the same way?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Yes

[@patrickmitchell100]

@hamradiowithkevin thank you for the response. I know mostly nothing being a beginner, and my biggest thing was just being able to hear someone, and there not much about the reception side of things much appreciated.

[@MT-cc2fz]

Hey there! It looks like you have several adapters come off the sma connector on the HT to the pl239. If you are able to get rid of all those adapters you will lessen the RF losses.

[@bvds2007]

Great video

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thanks!

[@WJ6FRadio]

Great video! I did a similar test in the California High Desert using the Elk Antenna. Might have to grab an Arrow Antenna!!

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thanks Thomas 🙂, as you know, it is good to test in those situations so others get realistic expectations of performance. 73 Kevin

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you. N0QFT

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Your welcome. 73

[@backcountryamateurradio]

This is a great demo! I recent purchased an Arrow yagi and have started messing around with it. Packet for now, but the results are nothing short of astounding. I was able to get some knife edge diffraction from where I was near Timpanogos. Also, was able to connect to an iGate on Logan peak some 88 miles north. Sometimes these experiments require multiple days out. I’d hate to be somewhere and need it and not know what to do! Thanks for making such a high quality tutorial. - Eric

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thanks Eric, your doing some good testing i see. I have used that yagi for many years while camping up in the mirror lake area and the desert area down south. Now I mostly do HF. But that antenna is a go to antenna for sure. I wish you great success with your experiments. Hope to see some videos that you make with it.😉

[@backcountryamateurradio]

@@hamradiowithkevin Thank you, Kevin! It's a lot of fun. Some of the factors as to "why" this stuff works still elude me but it is so satisfying nonetheless. Despite the massive advantage of HF operating, 2m continues to show me how much I've underestimated it! Take care, I look forward to more of your videos.

[@johnk8091]

My favorite VHF/UHF antenna to take with me when in a remote location, is my home-brew slim jim roll up antenna made from ladder line and 15ft of coax attached. It will fit in a jacket pocket, SWR is flat on VHF and HF and is fun to build. Hang it off a tree branch and it performs really well. Much more travel friendly than my Arrow yagi antennas, and being omnidirectional, I don't need to fuss about pointing in the right direction. It is also a great performer for air band, FM broadcast band etc

[@hamradiowithkevin]

John, that is a great antenna I forgot about that antenna. I have one and definitely used it on hiking trips. Thanks for sharing. Trees are a ham's second best friend.

[@jasonbrown467]

how high up in the tree do you try to get it? i recently put up a gmrs slimjim about 15 feet up and found my nagoyas worked better, but this is all new to me

[@johnk8091]

@@jasonbrown467 High enough to use up all the coax to the rig, so about 15ft. Anything above about 6ft at the base will work really well

[@ericschleppegrell4467]

Let me start by saying your videos are great! No wasted verbiage. As you say, tiny changes can make a huge difference with 5 watts! That's why I make a humble suggestion to get rid of that SMA to SMA, SMA to BNC adapter chain and try (try) a straight SMA to BNC. Pomona makes some nice gold-plated ones and I can tell you from personal experiment they can make difference. This is just my boring humble opinion! Cheers! NE7C

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thanks Eric, I will check those adaptors out. The fewer the connections the better for sure. 73

[@garylanders1470]

Another excellent production

[@brentOhlookAsnake]

I’ll use an elk antenna log periodic for my HT. Mostly for satellites and SOTA. It was a hard choice between the elk and arrow antenna

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Yes, both very common and good options for long distance VHF-UHF

[@KairosZenith]

i have a Yaesu that is "waterproof" and the membrane they put on there for the waterproofing blocks out some of the sound (actually, a lot of the sound). i just use a handheld mic on that radio and it makes a whole lot louder for the people listening to me ..... (unless i'm using it around water, then i don't put the mic on there).

[@hamradiowithkevin]

I am totally with you on the hand mic option unless your around water. It is really good to know how your audio is so that our signal can be heard when we need to get out. Thanks for sharing, 73 Kevin

[@CanadianDrifter777]

Really interesting demo. Thank you.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Your welcome 73.

[@IkeReedy]

Looks like my home state Colorado ☺️

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thank goodness winter is only once a year ;)

[@longrider42]

I use the TYT UV8000D, its a ten watt radio, and yes it is, on one frequency. For long range I use the 42.5 inch Abbree antenna. Works very well.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Nice compact antenna, thanks for sharing. 73

[@johnroberts6695]

@James Hart » The TYT TH-UV8000D is a good radio and, like the Baofeng UV-82 (8W), is very underrated. It also comes “locked,” alas. I just wondered, after reading your comment, if you've had any occasion for using your 200MHz and, if so, what antenna you used? I initially used a Nagoya NA-320A, but the reviews were so bad and the range wasn't great, so I went to the Abbree tri-band flat-tact and the Abbree NA-771 (tri-band), but haven't had any decent weather.

[@longrider42]

@@johnroberts6695 No, the TYT UV8000D is just 2m/70cm radio. And its still I guess locked. No reason to by a tribander where I live.

[@johnroberts6695]

@@longrider42 » No, all *TYT TH-UV8000D/E* radios are tri-band. You can leave the feature off if you wish, or you can buy a tri-band antenna and turn the feature on (see kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZO2fZ55e9GNerM). I unlocked it via the software but I think there are other ways. Most tri-band radios go from 220-260MHz, but once unlocked, the *TYT TH-UV8000D/E* goes from 200-260MHz. That band can be quite useful, though. Increasing numbers of people are using it. The Nagoya NA-320A isn't a great tri-band antenna, but the Abbree flat-tact antennas are better (222-260MHz). I haven't seen any reviews of the Abbree NA-771 tri-band antenna yet. Cheers!

[@shellmaker10]

Outstanding video!

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thank you for watching !

[@DBJCobb]

Very nice 👌 👍

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thank you Don 👋

[@Locksnut]

Very nice demo. You didn’t mention, but was good to see proper orientation to the mic. Talking across the mic and not directly into it eliminates the puffs from the Ps and all the air breath noises. Maybe a tip to add in another video? 73 de N4WLC

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thanks Bill, Good call and observation. You are so right about that mic location, Thanks for Tip idea. 73 K7SW

[@watchmanmichael2023]

😊👍

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thanks 💪