Hello and Welcome Back.. Finding a good replacement antenna for you new radio is, sometimes, like getting teeth pulled..
Sometimes they work and sometimes they, well, just suck
So i have narrowed down a few excellent handheld antennas for my UBCD436PT radio and did a strength test on the type of signal.
The problem with the 435pt (and others that does GRN / DMR ) decoding, is that you need a strong signal for the decoder to work properly, so a good antenna is a wise investment.
LOCATION... I live in Springwood, NSW and while height is an advantage, trees, hills, strong wind (no comment from Mother in Law) and other obstructions can screw up a signal, even if that signal is only a few suburbs away.
*** ORIGINAL ANTENNA ***... The stock Uniden antenna is pretty basic and is recommended for 'Local' use, meaning, the signal has to be very close to pick up anything.
I used the stock antenna on GRN to start my test. (Below)
As you can see in the above photo, the stock antenna only managed a signal strength of 1 to 2. It struggled to lock to the control channel and when it did, dropped out repeatedly..
*** SECCFARXUG / NAGOYA NA701*** ... These excellent antennas are a VHF / UHF combination with added gain. (pic Below)
On VHF, gain is rated at 2.15db and on UHF, gain is rated at 3.0db.
They are not overly tall and are quiet cheap.
On testing, picking up GRN was a breeze with a solid 2 to 3 (sometimes 4) and with little or no dropouts..
I brought this antenna from South Eastern Communications for $15 and its my go to antenna when traveling due to its size and strength
Highly Recommend
LINK = https://secomms.com.au/product/nl701-uniden-upgrade-antenna/
*** Mobile One BNCSCAN *** .... A good antenna, no gain..
On GRN, the Mobile One BNCSCAN with
adapter (BNC to SMA) got 1 - 2 (sometimes 3) signal strength.. The antenna kept signal so i had no dropouts.
Highly Recommended for Aviation Lovers
Mobile one Antenna's (Company) are still going strong, as i got a conformation from the new owner (Greg Ackman) yesterday with manufacturing still being done in AustraliaLINK = https://www.mobileone.com.au/4d_scanner.html
*** DIAMOND SRH771 *** ... This antenna is a beast, its quiet tall at 40cm and has a receiving gain of 2.15dbi.
As you can see from the pic above, GRN booms in at a solid 5 in signal strength, in fact, this is the only antenna that lets me receive GRN indoors, sitting on the lounge in the middle of the house (2 signal bars).. Impressive
I got the Diamond SRH771 (Genuine, not fake) from 'Stictly Ham' in Victoria and it costs around $39
Money well spent in my option as the antenna is well built, with a metal base and a rubber ring accessory to fill in the gap between the antenna and radio (you will find that fake Diamond antennas sold on Ebay and such, wont supply the rubber ring)
LINK = https://www.strictlyham.com.au/diamond-srh-771
Rubber ring with
Without..
OTHER ANTENNAS
Some other antennas that was tested...
Metal Retractable Antenna... Ive had this for years, it came with a 10ch Realistic scanner and is heavy, so heavy, that with the push - pull motion of the retractable part and the solid metal frame, it broke the weld on the Tandy antenna plug inside the scanner.. Not Recommended
I Forget where i got this antenna (pic below) (Maybe Seccoms?) but its long and veeeery thin, in fact, too thin.. it sways around too much and causes the signal to drop...
About the only thing this antenna is good for is maybe whipping the.. wife / girlfriend / boyfriend / sex buddy... If you're into that sort of thing :)
*** (NOTE) *** If you own a Uniden UBCD436PT and change antennas often, be very careful.. I managed to somehow miss the center pin in the scanner and pierced the soft foam surround with the center of the SMA Male Antenna leaving a small hole in the scanner
I have never had this happen to any other radios but.. it can happen and really easy, which was scary..
Hope you found this Helpful
*** ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS? ***
Email me at = mickyb1970@hotmail.com and let me know your favorite handheld antenna
#handheld
#Uniden
#radioscanner
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