Ham Radio - The ABBREE VHF UHF "tactical" antenna.

Another one of those cheap antennas on Amazon, is it any good?
Note: Below is the link to the antenna I purchased. If you bought one from a different vendor, it may not be identical.
amazon link:
www.amazon.com/dp/B07GYKN6ZD?...
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[@kassisaba]

How about a destructive teardown video? I'm curious to see whether the radiator's guts are purpose-made or just re-purposed old tape measure :)

[@snakezdewiggle6084]

Purpose-made. But I can't speak for the brand in this video. ;)

[@seancook4317]

its just two blued strips of metal they are heavier duty than any mesure tape ive used, the base is a coil with sections "shorted" with solder and there is a capasitor in there as well (this is a year old vid, so other people have done it now so you prolly know i'm just bored, waiting on my baofeng to arrive today)

[@ccchas2]

The 28" version of that works well with my Anytone 2m/70cm ht. I have also played with mounting it on a magnetic base and attaching a 19" counterpoise wire which reduced the 2m SWR slightly. For its price I'm satisfied.

[@franciscolopez3229]

I've got the 28 inch version of that antenna ang it works great. At an altitude of around 174 feet above sea level, the farthest I transmitted was around 74 kilometers simplex using an old 5 watt ICOM 02AT HT. It's nice to have one in your car or backpack for emergecies.

[@stewartrv]

I have a 48" Abree and when tested on my VNA it is a lot better than that one you have. I think there are some copies/clones of it (I got mine from the official Abbree store on Aliexpress). In any case before you throw it away please pull it apart and lets see what exactly is inside! Thanks for the video!

[@JxH]

Based on the videos coming out of Russian-occupied Ukraine, their "tactical" antennas are the stock rubber-duck antennas that came with their $40 eBay Baofeng radios.

[@TheNoCodeTech]

Glad to see you do a deep dive on this

[@snakezdewiggle6084]

The cheep'o copies work perfectly fine. I have a couple of each size, been using them more than two yrs. The "dohicky at the bottom" is a rubber boot that pushes on and off over a former and matching coil. ;)

[@ohyeawhosurpoppy]

Thanks for the test results

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Thanks Kevin. Good to get an honest review.

[@kennethherring2918]

Being an Army Vet, many of the radios used by the military use whip style antennas often with the ability to bend to avoid getting tangled in brush. So, from it's appearance, it does resemble military style antennas or what they refer to as tactical. To me it's just a sales gimmick to get people to buy it. It's kind of like the term new military grade which invokes the thought of it being better. Aside from that, several Hams I know use the longer version who swear it gives better range.

[@camcurtis2628]

Great video on the antenna. Liked the rain cell in the background but I did not see the Shiny Squirrel until you pointed it out. Destructive tear down would be fitting for such an antenna. Stay safe 73

[@k2cjbradio]

Good test! I was more worried about that storm coming your way in the background!

[@thomasadair8617]

Any Viet Nam Veteran will tell you that this style antenna was on every PRC 33 man pack radio in the longer form. The newer radios do not use this style antenna.

[@jimholland6575]

The base has a short coil inside with a small (I think 10pF) cap attached to the center pin of the SMA connector and the other end taps into the coil close to center. One end of the coil is attached to the grounded threads on the SMA and the 18.8in element, which actually is two flexible metal strips.

[@loughkb]

In the next video I tore it down. I think I even provided a schematic.

[@vdleun77]

Great video, Kevin. Enjoyed you putting this antenna to the test! 73's, Alexander PE0ALX

[@hectorpascal]

Yep - my guess would also be a series capacitor and 50-ish ohm resistor to ground, with springy tape measure conductors attached at the hot end. Whenever you see THAT flat a VSWR (like in the Icom MN100), you can be pretty sure there is a loading resistor somewhere inside it!

[@gerfgrub6622]

Yup, antenna is a dummy load..

[@PaulOfford]

Thanks Kevin, I did think about buying one of these. I don't think I'll bother.

[@mattmillican3635]

Interesting, I've had nothing but success with these antennas, I have several, and am getting easy confirmed 35-40 miles with them simplex and duplex at 5W on several UV5R's and UV8R's with some fairly frequent use. Like anything, if you take care of it, it will last longer and work better. They work folded up or extended. I'm in an area where geography is a major issue and had zero problems with them using them over a year now. It's the best thing I've found and had experience with in the field. Has worked very well for me and everyone I know who uses them with me!

[@loughkb]

Did you purchase them from the same supplier linked in the description? If not, they are probably different antennas.

[@patrickp4827]

Should try your cool experiment with a full wave loop, 2 element quad etc.. very cool!

[@jackzweifler5696]

I have the biggest one and the SWR on vhf is 1.2 and 1.6 on UHF , the performance in my case is outstanding , i am very happy with it and it works with my anytone 25 watts mobile radio as a manpack conected direct to the radio with angle uc1 conector

[@loughkb]

There are several manufacturers making these, it depends on who's you get I guess. I could only review the one that I linked in the description. And as we saw it's performance was not as good as the original rubber duck.

[@lyfandeth]

The Army used to use tape measure antennas, which is all that is, on HF manpack radios. A tape measure should flex and whip less than a plain flexible wire, so there should be less "picket fencing" when it used in motion. No magic, just marketing and reasonably good construction. And since the military uses the same style, that makes it "tactical".

[@pauljohnson4590]

I think the general feature of these types of antenna is simple the radio low down on the body has the antenna under the webbing of a uniform - the one that is 108cm is crazily long and bends over very easily, but if you stick the radio in a molle pouch and feed the antenna up the back the top bit pokes out above your head - which works better than a 1/4wave clipped to the belt. In free space the ¼ would probably do much better. Also - the airsoft fraternity (at least in the UK) tend to use UHF. Quite how these ever make a precise match is beyond me, but I suspect the idea is the old 'as much metal in the sky' approach.

[@charlesschindler1971]

Nice video today 👋 Stay hydrated. 👍🏻

[@Duddie82]

I noticed that shiney squerrel righ away. And thank you for testing that antenna, I was curious about it for the price they offer it for.

[@canidsong]

I have one of these. I also have one of the factory rubber ducks that came with my boafeng. I also have a NanoVNA. Weird I haven't thought about comparing them.

[@jeffreyfritz5866]

There is a version of the ABBREE antenna that is painted olive drab with camouflage markings.

[@briantheminer]

As they were initially designed for the military use by troops on backpacks etc, and to be folded for protection, they are or started off as true “tactical” antennas They work, I’ve got 3 different length ones all the way to 42” Yes, effectively termed “tape measure” antennas, but they work! Research is the key

[@loughkb]

Yes, it works. Just slightly better than the stock rubber duck. As we saw. Remember, I was testing the antenna sold by the supplier I linked in the description. There may be different companies selling it.

[@briantheminer]

@@loughkb indeed Kev, I’ve heard some horror stories, seems I have a good one ☝️

[@johnfish1194]

i have this one. Works much better than the basic one they send you with the radio. Much more range.

[@loughkb]

You obviously must have one from a different manufacturer.. There's at least four different manufacturers, I can only demonstrate the one that I ordered from the link in the video description. Which obviously did not have much better range than the stock antenna.

[@nlmsdc-nyctrip131]

Would like to see the stock plastic hard antenna and the Nagoya whip… a mag mount and so on. Doing a sweep of just the black cylinder without the whip…. Definitely take it apart. Thanks.keep up the good work.

[@geraldcampbell6834]

I have the longer version of that antenna and if you are looking for an antenna to use on the IC705 or other similar type multi band radios this antenna works great and SWR is just above 1.5 2m/70cm without a counterpoise!

[@nvrumi]

I almost bought one of those. Now I'm glad I did not. Well done, sir!

[@s57rw]

Maybe in the ham world the term "tactical" is misunderstood and used by equipment manufacturers for commercial purposes, making hams think if is "tactical" is better. Back in the days when serving my military service, as being a ham was assigned to the signal coprs. In the military "tactical" was considered the other way and the right way. For close range communication for mobile units we used low VHF frequencies between 30 and 80 MHz. The rig was a backpack, in the kit we had a long antenna for extended range and better performance, which was composed of fiberglass section rods in 2,5m length when assembled and used when stabilized on assigned location. The other one was a "tactical" flexible in length of abt. 1,2m. Similar in construction to the one shown in the video, kind of tape measure flexible material. When on the move and walking through a forest or bushes you cannot have a 2,5m rigid stick in the back. So you needed something flexible and could be folded if passing trough tight spots or you should hide in a trench. Even folded you could still communicate with units in the area being not far away. This is in the military considered "tactical". More practical to move around, doesn't hinder you, potentially damage the equipment or harm soldiers and still working well enough for the mission. We knew and were instructed that the "tactical" antenna isn't a performer looking as an extended range antenna. If needed the other one was to be used. For the "tactical" antenna in the video probably there isn't a benefit to use it. At the end is more rigid than the flexible rubber duck you get with the Baofeng. Also afraid you will earlier brake the SMA connector on the radio with the "tactical" antenna, which will probably apply more stress to the radio if hitting something with it. For performance maybe a good quality original Nagoya, Diamond or similar antenna is a way to go… 73's Andrej - s57rw

[@gmanshackshack6822]

Its construction mimics the antenna used on the AN-PRC77 military radio... hence "tactical".

[@philipchandler330]

I've matched this antenna up with my Rad Tel 490

[@joemcmanus79]

Great Video (as usual) Kevin. Could the base piece be acting as a counterpoise? After all some "Ducks" do work a bit better (not saying that this "antenna" does, which, as you showed it doesn't) with a "Tiger Tail". Just a thought?

[@RichardHopkinsLobosSolos]

Josh over on HRCC took one and sharpened it. It didn't make it much worse.

[@M7XCB]

I had the same antenna yes it junk I've taken a part I will make something out of it am sure. Am sure your going to make a video about what's inside the bottom base of Antenna.

[@shamrock1961]

I have that antenna for my Baofeng. It works but your mileage will vary.

[@Tom-jd1rm]

New the ham, I wonder what the 15-inch would do on swr?

[@philamend4778]

Making a rough air core calculation for the inductance of the coil (0.05 μH?), an LC tank circuit resonance calculation would yield a resonant frequency of 205.5 MHz. Higher than the range test frequency of 146.46 MHz and Blue VNA sweep resonant frequency of 126.49 MHz shown in this video. But perhaps my inductance calculation is off and the inductance of the coil is more like 0.13 μH which would yield a resonant frequency around 127 MHz.

[@ammocraft]

Always good to see a decent review and some proper analysis. Makes you wonder about all the shill reviews from people raving about this antenna, huh? I’ll stick with my SRH-771.

[@adam-g7crq]

When needed I just use a tuned counterpoise with the HT, tactical seems to be really over played now.

[@jkssr1885]

mine comming in tomorrow wish i saw this first bummer.

[@ainhoasamford8046]

Abrí la bobina tiene 11 vueltas y un condensador de 24 pf que es el que conecta una pata a masa y la otra a la vuelta 4 y dos cortos entre 1y 2 vuelta y entre la 9 y la 10

[@MichaelJantzen42]

I wonder if the SWR is so bad because the post that attaches to the radio center pin doesn't connect through - or is just a resistor? I have one of these - I should do some testing as well. I wonder why they would design it like that.

[@jamescstanley5018]

Hi Kevin, thanks for the video, I have thought about getting a "tactical" antenna for my HT, but my location sucks, with only 6 Hams within HT range, i simply have no use for one. Even my diamond "White Stick" at 20 feet gets nowt! It could be instructive to do a tear down video, I would watch it. I need to know more about ADHD, as I think i may have it. All my life (I am 68), throughout school days and working life, my mind will run off at a tangent, if something looks interesting, I will tend to follow it up. Depending on what it is, it may keep my attention for only a few days, or like Ham Radio it could last a life time. Witness my own Ham journey, at age 12 I was saving for a No 19 set (£8.00¬), but the old Adam instinct got in the way! 50 plus years on I am still learning something new every day. The big question is, of course, will I have learnt enough to stay with Ham Radio, until nature takes it's inevitable course, or will i have to find another "distraction"! Personally, i think Nature will win, our hobby is just to vast for any one mind "to know it all", after 3 years as a Ham, I only know very little, just enough to know that there is a lot I do not know. Keep up the good work, hope the back is OK, (I have Ankyloising Spondulitis, so I understand). Catch you on the next one. Jim M7BXT

[@stevenyemc]

Love to se an AvE BOLTR style vidjao. Get that thing a-part

[@raydavidsonm0ray.777]

Hi Kevin, Ray M0RAY Here, Grid Sqr Locator, JO01II. Many thanks for this video. The results from the different tests you did have certainly convinced me Not to buy one. Not That version at least. I have however been thinking about the little loop aerial that you demonstrated for some time now. I can't remember if you did a VNA test with the small loop aerial for hand held rigs, but iether way, I would love to see a video from you showing the results on your VNA of it. I would be very grateful for that test. Also I would be very surprised if it is Not slightly directional, as loop Aerials are directional off of the outer edge each way. Many Thanks once again Kevin. Kind Regards, Ray, M0RAY.

[@brianmiller6320]

Maybe one of the shorter antennas would have given better swr at 146Mhz, or before you throw it in the trash cut a couple of inches off the end and see if it improves at 146Mhz? I am certain that I have seen other reviews that seemed to show it worked quite well. Many thanks

[@bitemykrank1970]

Kevin, your antenna is just the babe in the woods my friend. MINE however is the REAL DEAL.....Not only is mine the Baofeng Super Tactical version of this simple measuring tape antenna, with it's 3 shades of green camo, but mine also has an extra super tactical 20cm ( 7.8inches ) steel gooseneck base that screws into the delicate little SMA connector on top of my UV82L ( this contraption alone weighs 3 times what the actual radio weighs, and it cannot be removed ) it then unfolds out in all it's camo glory a full 124cm ( 48 inches ) from this, making it NEARLY a full tactical long on top of the puny little handheld SMA antenna mount. It looks rediculous, works about aswell as a wet bit of dental floss, and is the BEST investment I have made in years.....we ALL should have an idiotic handheld to walk around with, especially one as idiotic as this......all I need to get myself now is the stealthy throat mike kit to go with my Boafeng Super Tactical, None More Tactical, tactical radio...so I can be extra super tactical and not get caught. Here's a link for anyone that might want to be super tactical aswell : alexnld.com/product/folding-sma-female-tactical-antenna-dual-band-vhf-uhf-for-baofeng-two-way-radio/

[@nr3rful]

Woooh. Don't walk too far away...that sky looks ominous...

[@CoveiraoPS3]

Field airsoft players use this antenna a lot. Tactical ?

[@JennyEverywhere]

They simply misspelled "tacticool".

[@observationpostcharlie1365]

Witch module is this 18 inch 24 inch

[@Mtgavin55]

Anyone know if they make a tactical/foldable antenna for a Yaesu SMA-Male? Thanks

[@VicGreenBitcoin]

Did you test SWR this antenna indoors??

[@loughkb]

Both in and outdoors. It was the same. I kept it well away from anything metal.

[@arthurzeller5754]

I recently purchased two of these antennas and they work fabulously. I had put together an emergency ham radio repeater with (2) Baofeng UV-82 Walkie Talkies, this set up works great-tested it out to 2 miles and soon to test farther out

[@mattmillican3635]

I've been hitting 35-40 miles confirmed with mine. They've worked fabulous for me and everyone I know who is using them as well.

[@RobB_VK6ES]

For a killer product aimed at the tacti-tool demographic might I suggest a two in one mix of personal lubricant and liniment.

[@madcarew5168]

Is it still tactical on a deployment during covert ops in the field at the back of the house??!!

[@WoodyPhillips]

I have 2 of these, both longer lengths, and they seem to work fine. I get a definite improvement. However, there are several counterfeits out there (lots of warnings about that) and I wonder if you got stuck with one, or is it simply a matter of length? Interesting nonetheless. Thanks!

[@loughkb]

Are yours branded abbree?

[@WoodyPhillips]

@@loughkb Yes sir. But, I understand the counterfits are as well. Does not mean yours aern't real though. Also, I REALLY appreciate your videos!

[@jamesraykenney]

@@WoodyPhillips If they came in a yellow bag, they are definitely counterfeit, but even they green bagged ones are sometimes counterfeits.

[@dgervais57]

Boy, this review is sure gonna break some hearts at *my* next club meeting. This antenna has become rather a "fad" among some of my ham friends. Me? I think they're somewhat neat if you're into the whole airsoft/G.I. Joe thing; but mostly I think they are silly. This was a fairly crappy antenna design when I was in the service, and remains a fairly crappy design today, in the civilian world. The original G.I. version was nearly unbreakable -- and even if broken, you might still get some use out of it with enough "fiddling". The current "Abbree" version: Not so much. I mean, the SMA connector is delicate, at best! Kevin, your results with the VNA match mine precisely. Perhaps this antenna is best used for listening to airplanes while sitting in your foxhole... 😂🤣 (Aww, What the heck! There's *lots* worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon! This is all supposed to be fun, right?)

[@johnroberts6695]

I don't know that there's a difference between the Abbree dual-band and tri-band 19-inch antennas. They are identical. Also no difference between the dual-band and tri-band Abbree AR-771s. Same model numbers, identical in appearance.

[@_tor]

Weird. I couldnt reach aprs with the rubber duckie that came with my radio. But immediately was able to hit aprs with the abbree. It far out performs. Other videos show drastic results.

[@loughkb]

Depending on which manufacturer yours came from, it could be a very different antenna inside. I can only show the one I bought, which is linked in the description. Others have reported that the flexible part was reused measuring tape with the markings still on it. In my teardown video, we see that mine was not. There's probably three or more sources of the thing. Maybe only one of them is good? *speculation*

[@arthurzeller5754]

Yes it's a loading coil

[@loughkb]

Nope, not quite.. Tear down in the next video.

[@donschneider7252]

Thanks Kevin I had thought about trying one but will spend my dollars on something eles. My home made antennas work a bit better KI7RJS

[@migsvensurfing6310]

I guess some customers falls for the tactical... 🙃 OK one can always have some fun with the wife and use it as a whip. Isnt it possible to take of the rubber tip at the top of the antenna and shortening the whip to get a better swr at 146MHz ?

[@tonylock7657]

As it's 'tactical', maybe it works better with the camo coloured Baofeng radios. 😅

[@nevellgreenough404]

My guess- It should work much better without that plastic chunk on the base. 18.8" is almost a perfect 1/4-wave antenna on 2m. Thanks for the vid-- N2GX

[@jeffs-zw2zb]

I know very little about radio, but why so short of a range on any of these antennas you tried? I've seen others on youtube get miles away on the stock antennas.

[@loughkb]

Because for this test I was using a couple of milliwatts on the transmitter. Hardly any power so that I would be able to test range without having to drive miles and miles away.

[@jeffs-zw2zb]

@@loughkb ah, okay.. Thanks.

[@MickeyD2012]

It's a cheap, big antenna that folds. IME it works pretty well. Rough on your radio's connector though to keep it on. Might save your life if you keep it in your kit though, especially if you use HTs for their intended purpose.

[@loughkb]

I'd go with a better rubber duck, or a signalstick or other longer thin antenna. They offer a huge improvement over the stock duck. This thing didn't really do any better than the stock antenna.

[@franciscolopez3229]

For all the research I've done before I bought one, the 72cm is the most practical and effective. The one tested on this video performs just like the Nagoia, Signalstick and the like that is why some just laugh at it. There were a lot of comparison test done with all the ABBREE's model against other brands, and like I've said, the 72cm is the best because it performs just like their longest model which is too long, and the shorter models are not that good. Like in my comment, the farthest I reached a contact on simplex was at 74km at an altittude of no more than 200ft above sea level using my trusty ICOM IC-02AT.

[@themechanicly83]

Hi Kevin, i have a longer one of these. Inside the tubing there is regular measuring tape with the typical print still on it. I had mine open at the feedpoint where you can see the two screws and nuts... the coating was not properly removed so this is what i did. After really tightening the screws for good contact i sealed it back up with glued heat shrink tubing in the bottom part. Good lock with yours. 73

[@loughkb]

What was the brand name on yours?

[@themechanicly83]

@@loughkb it was ordered Jan of 2020 a 108cm long ABBREE foldable tactical.. but the Shop does not exist anymore on ali.

[@jboard146]

its Tacti-Cool

[@loughkb]

Like a ghostbusters proton pack. Looks really cool, doesn't do much. ;-)

[@coldshoemedia4463]

Its tactical in a trench system to be folded. Its better to extend it when range is better than being less of a flag.

[@gant8408]

because militaries use them since they are compact

[@loughkb]

Nah, It's marketing. Designed to grab the attention of people that get excited over that word.

[@captdaveclearedtoland8876]

56 with ADHD. I wish I had known when I was young and in school. But who knew back then , oh also Dyslexia .so what a cocktail but I survived and done many things . I have not let it slow me down.

[@davidshermanlittle919]

What else can you do out in the desert. I think the antenna under test was made for a different market and the maker is trying the download his crap in the ham market.

[@ChrisSchroth]

This reminds me of a design I once saw in a book, it was a tape measure, folded over (to create the sandwich you mentioned) and bonding it with rapid curing epoxy, if I remember correctly. It was a 2m or 70cm antenna for portable use, not for a handheld, I think. Thanks for the video, Kevin.

[@jptucsonaz8503]

"tactical"; the military uses fold over antennas to help keep from being seen (as much as possible) by the enemy; they can be olive drab, camo, sand colored, white (for snow), or... BLACK for night or jungle ops. Have been used by the military for decades. Further Kevin, they are folding to help prevent snagging on overhead stuff; tree & bush limbs. Also able to pack into ruck sacks, etc. They DO work while folded, surprisingly... the SWR isn't affected much! They also are much more durable and won't break from impacts, etc. like a telescoping whip will. By the way, I have had the 42 inch version for about 3.5 years. Works great!

[@JGWilson007]

So based on your testing looks like the claim to work in the 462MHz range is not effecent.

[@loughkb]

I'd have to rewatch the video, but I don't think I tested it on UHF.

[@JAMES-KB7TBT]

Deborah says "It would make a great back scratcher".

[@loughkb]

Ha!

[@maikerumine]

I will take my coat hanger antenna over that thing. Thanks for testing, be sure to show us what the guts look like please!!

[@vicmiller7191]

Shiny squirrel was intriguing and I thought there had to be a good story behind it. How about as a idea for a project, getting a really cheap tape measure and try to duplicate this antenna, I am sure you will do a much better job than they did. Thanks for saving me a few bucks. Take care and take care of your self. Vic de KE8JWE

[@DonzLockz]

I'm surprised at that loop, I thought it was a gimmick. The Abbree was a fail and the swr was abysmal, I'll never buy one, thanks for saving my money!💰😄🍻

[@ouijim]

Purchased Abbree Antenna 28" BNC. Its much better than stock antenna on 2 meters. I only use it when I need it as its in the way always ; ) I use antennas 5/8 or 3/4 wave length since it changes radiation pattern and adds gain over isotropic antenna. Being in the city and in a valley, can't go up as there are power lines everywhere, I need any edge I can get but its always a directional compromise, North and South are best from home unless I use portable temporary antenna in front yard where there is more open space. Location, elevation can make an amazing difference. I get 3 S units (or more) signal increase using half the power just moving antenna from backyard to front yard. Saw KZbinr with Abbree 42 inch antenna, it was useless in wind as it folded over with each gust of wind : (

[@Siskiyous6]

Tactical is a word about nothing. I like my long ABBREE, I use it for my FT-818. Maybe it would work well as a Marine VHF antenna.

[@Ressy66]

They call it tactical cause may be you can slap the shit out of the enemy at the front line :)

[@JasonPullara]

tacticool

[@daveN2MXX]

I have a genuine veraion and it works well. Maybe you purchased a fake antenna???

[@loughkb]

Please provide a link to the genuine version and I'll research things.

[@loughkb]

I provided the link I purchased from in the video description.

[@johnroberts6695]

Hmmm...your test doesn't reflect my experience with my flat-tact. Weird. Don't throw it away. Peel back the rubber around the load and see what's there! Or contact Abbree and see if they'll send you another one.

[@loughkb]

In the very next video I did tear it down. I also heard from a few others that had torn theirs down. They were all a little different. One used old tape measure strips that still had the numbers printed on them, mine was just plain metal, etc. It seems like there's multiple manufacturers making them and who knows what you'll get. I put a link in the video description to the antenna I bought, so consider this a cautionary tale about this single provider.

[@kd8opi]

Tactical? I see this description a lot, particularly from Chameleon. Meaningless. The only thing I’ve seen Hams attack was the cheesecake-on-a-stick at Hamvention.

[@JUANKERR2000]

"Tactical" as in you can smack somebody about the head with it.

[@chip6954]

Weird, between my experience and most of the comments, you may have gotten a counterfeit (yes, there are counterfeits of $10 antennas); I have the 18 and the 42 and they're awesome. Then again, your tone from the first sentence was pretty slanted/snobby.

[@loughkb]

yes, there are several suppliers of this antenna. and they all are a little different. I'm only reviewing the one that I bought, and I provide the link in the video description to that particular seller. regarding my tone, I was just poking fun at their marketing using the word Tactical to pull the strings of certain people that like to buy things of that nature. Marketing is the art of lying elegantly.

[@Nicolaione]

Why are you mad at an antenna lol

[@loughkb]

I'm not mad at an antenna. I just think it's silly that they use the word tactical. It's marketing trying to hook in people that respond to that word.

[@Nicolaione]

@@loughkb I can recommend you to test the 42 and 48 inch variant. They are great performers.

[@loughkb]

@@Nicolaione that totally depends on who made your antenna. There's four or five different manufacturers of the antenna with the same name. But they're all vastly different antennas. I linked the supplier I bought this one from in the video description so you can see that that's the one I'm testing. Yours might be different.

[@gwlong]

Enough OCD focus on the word "tactical." Too much self-aggrandizing blather makes people click off... Like I did.

[@loughkb]

Nah, it was sarcastic humor.

[@reedreamer9518]

That's what you call a fake antenna - I've seen a few my friends bought.

[@loughkb]

The link I purchased from is in the video description, so consider this a cautionary example of that particular supplier.

[@ElektroLUDIKITS]

An italian OM (IZ2UUF) made a well documented test and comparison with other antennas for handheld radios. His conclusion (for the 108cm model he bought): good in VHF, terrible in UHF. The KZbin ID of his video is "wec7IE81Byk".

[@jamesh3833]

I guess they call it tactical because in Vietnam the radio's had foldable antennas