VX-6 Operators Series - Part 13: Antenna Options for the VX-6

[@ebcllc]

This series has helped us tremendously! The content is well produced and very informative. We have saved a lot of time and money watching. Thank you!

[@happinessprepper]

GREAT series that's REALLY HELPED me!!! Many, MANY THANKS!!! You mentioned showing us how to build an antenna that would allow us to listen to the VX-6R'Ss lower frequencies in an earlier video. Have you recorded this yet? It'll be fascinating to exolore those listen only frequencies from our VX-6Rs!!! MANY THANKS, again!

[@AC9DJ]

I really like my Signal Stick on the VX-6. In my usage it outperforms the 320. They have gotten rid of the 3d printed base and looks much nicer than previous versions. I still have yet to have one fail on me after some very hard core usage. It survived the riots we had here 3 years ago in Kenosha. No I wasn’t one of the idiots that terrorized the city.

[@dta6446]

Is the signal stick the one you can roll up and it springs back to normal?

[@AC9DJ]

@@dta6446 yes that’s the one.

[@LuisMendoza-23]

@@dta6446yes

[@samforbes5270]

I keep a bnc adapter on mine and swap out between antennas frequently. This is to save the sma connector lifespan and make swapping faster. The widebandedness of this radio is begging for multiple antennas for each niche this radio is capable of. My go to is the smiley triband. Its very short and has good flex like you say in carry mode but is certainly fragile. Honestly to me it makes the radio fit into the 'snubnose' category. It easily hides on my belt under a Hawaiian when out and about. However if you want to transmit you have to extend the sections and tune the antenna to the band you are using. If i want a sturdy antenna I also have the signal stick if I am going to be using the radio on the move. Signal stick also makes an antenna resonant for only 220 so you can make use of all 1.5 watts you're putting out. Throw in a homebrew 10m bnc binding post dipole for shortwave. These antennas, spare batteries, and the hand mic live in a pencil bag that goes in my edc backpack.

[@stevestewart3709]

Thank you for this series. I'm brand new to ham and I'm running a Baofeng uv-5r that was given to me. I'm putting my shoping list together for the VX-6. Is there an antenna that I could mount on the outside of the building that I could use for this? I do sharpening in a shed and would like to do monitoring while I'm working.

[@BirdieMac]

If you can find em, the Nagoya 781 with male SMA is a great tri-bander. Discontinued and tough to find.

[@WR3ND]

I ended up MARS modding my VX-6R, which turns it into a quad-band HT, 6m, 2m, 1.25m, 70cm. Not many antenna options for those bands.

[@dragonpens72]

In El Dorado County we have a "Use It Or Lose It" net on the 220 band. Its been a year now and we have had over 1300 people check in.

[@KS6DAY]

That's an excellent idea. BTW, I lived in Pollock Pines for a couple years when I was a kid in the 1970's. That's beautiful country up there.

[@WR3ND]

Thanks. I have the FT-60 with the SRH77CA and love it, but I'm seriously thinking about getting the VX6 as a backup and for EmComms. I've added the SRH320A to the shopping list. 73

[@TheMidwestdrifter]

Thanks for the videos! I just bought one last week. I also own a ft60r

[@mainetomass99]

BNC adapter always. Save the radio. I primarily use the 77CA in BNC at home, if ever needed (rarely). The Signal Stick when hiking or generally portable. Who cares about aesthetics? It works. The MFJ Long Ranger for 2M SOTA (when on summit). Signal Stuff is working on a Tri-Band version.

[@TheRealBigEE]

Does the BNC compromise the water sealant or submersible property of the radio ?

[@markr.1984]

Mr. KS6DAY, have you ever tried the Comet triband antenna? The HT-220? And if not, why not? You seem to not be aware of the Comet brand. I'm curious as to how they compare to the Diamonds.

[@Mxyzptlk21]

The newer SignalSticks are looking a lot better. For a longer antenna they don’t have a lot of weight to make the radio tip over. My VX6 is not a stable radio…

[@ralphnunn3]

Smiley antenna makes a tri-band antenna (270A). I bought one for my VX-6r. Yes, you do have to put sections up, and down for what band you want to work (all the way up for 2M; 2 sections down for 70cm; 4 sections down for 1.25m). However, it doesn't look like it preserves the IP67 rating, though.

[@jpb5385]

Thanks for these videos. My VX-6 is arriving tomorrow. DXE was out of the 320a. Gotta make a trip to HRO.

[@KS6DAY]

That's a cool avatar. I've been looking for a derby hat to get a similar picture with my english bulldog Vinny.

[@CD6GLL]

Hi sir. How can purchse this radio shiiping from Chile? Greetings

[@mkpears]

Love your VX-6 series !! Can you make a vid on the use of pigtails ? Do they work ? if so, how long and how to use ? Cheers !

[@KS6DAY]

Are you referring to a counterpoise wire to form a proper dipole? If so, I have been meaning to look into that. I don't use them because my radios are usually pouched up, but I have been messing around with counterpoises for use on antenna relocation kits.

[@mkpears]

@@KS6DAY ..yeah, ...could you just let the counterpoise dangle through the pouch ? cheers

[@iznbrgwhite421]

thanks for the clips love em . but no one has the 320 Alpha in stock do you know wherre to get a new one , if not what do you reccomend thats identical? thanks again loved the glock commment lol .

[@MarvinParnell]

Great video about antenna's for the VX6. I will likely order the triband antenna you talked about here. I do currently have the Comet HT-224 triband antenna on my VX6 however it didn't last to long before the rubber broke just above the metal post part leaving the internals exposed. Heat shrink fixed it up but looks a bit unsightly. Still works fine though. Anyway I'm wondering if you or anyone else knows where one might get replacement parts for the VX6 such as the rubber pieces for the antenna and headset jack and for the DC jack, as well as possibly the keypad? I've used mine quite a lot and it has the battle wounds to show for it lol. Thanks for your video's they are much appreciated. 73.

[@OwnGuardSol]

The Smiley Tri-Band Extendible is a fantastic antenna.

[@jeffbutler6729]

Hi there! Love your videos and thank you for all your great advice and recommendations. I use both the VX-6 and the FT-60/65… Will these same antennas work great for those other radios as well or is every radio particular to specific antennas? Also, I was looking for some of the stubby antennas for a short range option that would offer more compactness. Would you have a recommendation for a short stubby style?? Hope to hear back and get some advice, as I’m not fully versed in which antennas truly help improve the performance for price. Thanks!!

[@bpgsontz1072]

If anyone knows where i can get that diamond srh320a antenna, please share the link, they appear to be sold out everywhere 😢

[@martinvanek5951]

Juck for kicks, try out the Diamond SRH70S. It's about 28 inches long and dual band. It has better gain (my experience) over the SRH320A. Not good around town but in the middle of nowhere? 73

[@DontknowDontkare09]

Im new to civilian radio. Is there a difference between vx-6r and vx-6?

[@markr.1984]

No difference, the 'R' just means it's for the US market. For Europe and UK it's the VX-6E (no 220 band). Both can be referred to as VX-6 only and they just print VX-6 on the front of the radios for both US and Euro markets.

[@emoboy5591]

hey if you still have the factory antenna would you possibly wanna sell it or give it away? i’d take it

[@12vibaba]

that antenna is nor available in Europe at the moment.

[@jmj1277]

A tip down fall is every gentleman's nightmare.

[@KS6DAY]

That is indeed true.