TESTED! Best GMRS Antennas on a budget. Smiley, Signal Stuff, Nagoya, Abbree all field tested!
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- More detailed affiliate links below. This is Part 2 to our Best Of Amazon GMRS radio series. In this video, we use the same radios as week 1, Baofeng GM-5RH, Baofeng 5G Plus, Tidradio H3, Tidradio H8 and the Radioddity GM-30, and add all the popular antennas to each one for a solid 8 mile field test! Stay tuned because the field footage is at the very end and you don't want to miss that!
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Handheld Radios:
Wouxun GMRS KG-UV9GX bettersaferadi...
Wouxun HAM KG-UV9PX bettersaferadi...
TIDradio TD-H8 2nd Gen combo amzn.to/3HBY5wP
TIDradio TD-H3 GMRS amzn.to/3U8lJrS
Baofeng UV-5G Plus amzn.to/3WhXRmY
Baofeng GM-5RM amzn.to/3WijS55
Radioddity GM-30 amzn.to/3QnPpyP
Baofeng UV-5R 8 W 2 pack amzn.to/47YMpyN
Baofeng UV-5R 8W amzn.to/3UVhBfO
BTECH GMRS PRO RADIO amzn.to/3wUR341
WOUXUN KG-UV9D Plus amzn.to/3HzymoT
Surecom SW33 Plus amzn.to/3J94IaJ
Surecom Power Meter amzn.to/3Ud5PwQ
Surecom Simplex Repeater amzn.to/3WjAxFM
Dummy Load 100W amzn.to/47OxXcF
12” jumper amzn.to/3vVeutO
Handheld Radio Antennas:
Smiley 5/8 Slim Duck SMA Female amzn.to/454uEyB
Nagoya 701g antenna amzn.to/4bHHo0K
Smiley Super Stick 465 Mhz amzn.to/4bM5jv5
Nagoya NA 771G amzn.to/3UjymRw
Abbree 771 GMRS amzn.to/4aT22u9
Signal Stick 440 signalstuff.co...
ABBREE 18.8” antenna amzn.to/47Y3oRY
ABBREE 42.5” antenna amzn.to/49cECOS
ABBREE 28.3” antenna amzn.to/42eeIZ5
Mobile Radios:
BTECH 50v2 GMRS Mobile Radio amzn.to/3vVe2f6
BTECH 50v2 programming cable amzn.to/42hYez5
TYT-9800 Plus amzn.to/3Q4KAu2
Mobile Radio antennas and mounting:
32” 6db gain mobile radio antenna amzn.to/3JY1mYJ
Midland Ghost GMRS antenna amzn.to/3vWYXty
NMO coax amzn.to/3vTm2NL
NMO mount L bracket amzn.to/3HBXf39
NMO mount Hood Lip bracket amzn.to/3vUbqhu
NMO magnetic mount amzn.to/4bbwLTN
NMO base cover for car wash amzn.to/3Ogfuib
Base Station Equipment:
BTECH 50v2 GMRS Mobile Radio amzn.to/3vVe2f6
BTECH 50v2 programming cable amzn.to/42hYez5
TYT-9800 Plus amzn.to/3Q4KAu2
BTECH 30amp inverter amzn.to/3SgJmfF
TRAM 1486 GMRS base antenna amzn.to/3SBVlGe
KMR400 coax amzn.to/3UbrHbY
Road Pro external speaker amzn.to/48NkJOX
Lightning Arrestor amzn.to/3vVWb7J
Coax 259 to HT adapter amzn.to/3vTAa9E
30W Solar Panel amzn.to/3SyoNwI
Hey everyone! I just added a second channel for Firearms and Gear Tips and Reviews. Be sure to jump over there and subscribe to that one as well to get some good pointers on firearms, training and lots of EDC gear! www.youtube.com/@GunsandGearTipsandReviews-r6g
You know, it's nice to finally see comparisons of different GMRS radios out in their elements. I'm so tired of seeing 50 unboxing videos I could throw up. Give me the 1 lone tester putting these radios through their paces with multiple antennas talking on simplex. That's where the REAL proof is on how they do. Subscribed!
Thanks Jason! I have a few that have field tests if you haven't seen yet.
@@FirstUnitedTacticalyes I saw those as well. I also saw the new Wouxan review. And I'm liking that thing more and more.
@jasonbrown8944 So the 9gx is awesome, but, the 9px is the HAM version, and it can be unlocked. I'm not saying do that, but it's possible, and it works like a champ (ya know, if I had one).... may as well have the best of both worlds if you need a solid all around radio. Same price also. Please just use bettersaferadio.com/pro/first with anything you buy over there so I can get credit for it! Thanks!
These results are exactly as I would expect. The best antenna is a simple 1/4 wave whip. Those longer "gain" antennas have two problems. 1) they have too high of a radiation pattern making the near horizon a loss rather than a gain. 2) They need a match to their rather high impedance feedpoint, and that introduces loss on it's own. For the OEM antennas, if they are dual band then the clap trap involved with adding in a VHF band is going to negatively impact UHF...it has to. Pick your favorite 1/4 whip, just make sure it's as close to a simple 1/4 wave (about 6 inches) copper wire as you can find and be done. There are some on Amazon, I just won't mention them so it does not look like I'm pushing a given model which I am not.
Very nicely sad! Thanks!
I love this. Knowing the why behind things that work is the gold in the mountain. Thanks for sharing!
I am subscribing. You just seem like a good guy!
Hey bud! I'm pretty down to Earth! Thanks Chris!
I went all in for HAM and GMRS with signal stuff since they do so much to support the community! Their ham signal stick works with GMRS too!
@thomasthewatchman I've tried (and videoed) the 440 which is that 6" UHF antenna. It's pretty good.... I keep telling myself to get that long one that can twist, but I just keep finding other cool things to buy!
@@FirstUnitedTacticalit’s great if you’re using a DMR that maybe does both ham and GMRS! But I haven’t noticed a difference in GMRS between the long and short one
@thomasthewatchman Good to know because I was worried I would waste my money on the long one. I will order one tomorrow and do a quick field test with it! Are you using that 5RM with it or a different one? I sent you an email earlier.
@@FirstUnitedTactical I replied about 15 mins ago :)
I’ve got a bunch of the long signal stuffs. And two shorts. For GMRS my main 3 are 935G plus, HA1G, Tid H3. And they all work great with it! Would be a cool video to compare the two lengths for GMRS. My biggest complaint with the signal stuff is the one is so long haha. But it’s truly and totally reliable and I trust it over all others.
@thomasthewatchman Man that's good to know! I will definitely get one and say WHATS UUUUUP in the video!
This is the exact video I needed thank you!
Glad I could help!
@@FirstUnitedTactical it seems like the 701g and the 5/8 smiley perform very similar.
Almost seems like the larger 771g isn’t needed. What do you think?
@thomasthewatchman well this video "shocked the world"..... normally, like 9/10 times, the 701g is the last place and barely readable.
The Smiley 5/8 Slim Duck 465 always comes out the clear winner, and the Nagoya 771g for long. Those 2 always always always come out clear winners. I really don't know what happened at this testing, but I almost didn't even air it. If you look at all of my other videos, you will see the Smiley and 771g are amazing, and the 701g is not so much. Basically, the 701g would be a good little antenna in a closed environment like a building or close communications.
All of my radios that I use "daily" have a Smiley 5/8 on them and a Nagoya 771g in my truck.
I leave the Signal 440, 701g,
Smiley super stick and all others at home. Hopefully, that will tell you something.
@@FirstUnitedTactical my radio club swears up and down about the Diamond SRJ77CA. Its 100-900 tuned but they think it’s better than the 771g. Have you tried this one?
@thomasthewatchman amzn.to/4cj91Nn
It's already ordered! I have so many people telling me about it. I finally ponies up the cash and ordered it. Also a Retevis and there's a Nagoya NA-24J. I have all of these coming.
I would say in the next couple of weeks I will get another video out with these.
Only question now is...... which radio do I use????
H3 GMRS
H8 10w
H8 GMRS
Q10g
5G Plus
(My other Wouxuns and GM30 require a SMA-m)
I think the Wouxun Q10g needs some airplay!
I have to agree on that Smiley antenna. I have the 5/8 on my uv9gx and the super stick on the px. This combination seems like a winner overall. Great vid. Thanks.
Thanks! Yeah, I keep a Smiley 5/8 on all my radios unless I am out in the country. Cool man!
Thank you David.
Absolutely!
Love the video, and all your work. Just wondering about the link you have posted for the Signal Stick 440. It appears to different from the one in the video.
@ScottAlanAnthony when u buy either of the sticks from Signal Stuff, you select which one from the drop down box towards the bottom. The 440 is the short 6" in this video. The 2m 70cm is the super long one for HAM.
@FirstUnitedTactical Ah! Thank you much sir.
These GMRS radio videos are so excellent. Thank you. For shits and giggles, can you use the signal stick dual band which is longer? You would think it would change the performance sum by what I don't know. Sure would appreciate that. Thank you.
I have been getting a lot of requests actually for that longer Signal Stick. It's the one that you can twist up like a pretzel. Yes, I have one on the way and I will definately be doing some videos!!
Thank You my Friend, I need help. I am 70yrs and never owned a Gun . I joined the Service AF in 72 and became a Medic because Guns Scare me!! I would like a gun to protect my home,so no Rifles, to hard to maneuver in a tight space....What would you recommend for an old man that's EASY to understand!!! I TRUST your opinion because all of your Antenna vids were Right on...
There are a lot more questions that need to be answered, but let me ask this: donyou have arthritis in your hands? If so, I would say a revolver because many with arthritis can't "rack the slide" on a standard semi auto. If you are good with a semi, and it's for home defense, I like a .45 acp. I have numerous handguns and rifles, but the 45 is what's by my bed at night. 2 reasons: it's a slower velocity, which is less likely to go through "someone" and then through walls. 2: it leaves a big ass hole and no one is walking away. Most gun ranges will allow you to rent pistols at the range and shoot to get the right fit. That's the best option at 1st if there's a range near you that will allow rentals. Also, contact your local Police Dept or Sheriff's Dept and talk to them about gun safety. Most departments put on safety and awareness classes. As you can see, without more information this "reply" could turn into a novel. Don't let others tell you which model or caliber to buy. You need to figure that out yourself!
@@FirstUnitedTactical Agreed with everything you said. .45 ACP is the one I'd have if it were the only caliber. It's soft shooting, ammo is easy to find, and like you said, makes a big hole.
I am looking deeply into getting an AR-45 with a 5" barrel or so. It's much shorter than even an "AR pistol", but you can't put it into a holster. I like the idea of more accuracy with a 45, and this is the way. I don't have an account yet for CMMG, but they sell the "Banshee" which is an awesome AR45. But, I personally have 2 compact 45's and a full size 45. the full size is much easier to keep down when squeezing compared to the compacts. Those will break a weak wrist if not holding on and ready! You could also look into a Stinger. It's an extremely short 12 Ga shotgun.... No stock, just a pistol grip, pump and about a 10" barrel. The Charles Daly Honcho is a similar item. If you want to stay with a pistol, don't forget about the Taurus Judge! Load it with 410 shells or 45 Long Colt.
Or, a shorter, pistol caliber carbine PCC 9mm. Stribog is reasonably priced. My opinion, more useful for home defense as it's shorter than an AR and 9mm ammo costs less. It provides more accuracy that a pistol. Easier to quickly move than a full sized rifle. It won't have the long distance as an AR, but it's for home, closer distances.
Thank you for the video, David! I am surprised the orange Abbree worked so well on your H8. Mine must have been a lemon. Orange lemon at that:)
Orange lemons! Ya know, it is an Abbree, and there are defects out there. Make sure the tip of your antenna is more of a point and not a blunt rounded tip. I've found that this is the easiest way to find out if you have a fake Nagoya. All of these aftermarket 771's are supposed to be somewhat of a point. If it looks like the factory short tidradio antenna, that's not good. The tidradio is the round blunt end and the 771 is supposed to be more pointy.
@@FirstUnitedTactical Interesting. I have never looked at the tips. But I look at the bottoms. If it looks like a beer bottle, it's probably a knock-off. If it looks like a bullet, it's a real deal. I have an entire shoe box of after-market antennas. All things considered, I get the best everyday performance out of Wouxun dual-band antennas even if we are talking about GMRS only. The same kind of antenna that comes with your UV9. Not too long, not too short, gets the job done. They come in both male and female configs. I don't want to drag it out by talking about the 771(g) and Smileys. You know how good those are. But the 701g is total cr...p, imho.
@@SK-rj1ti because of your reply, I put my factory Wouxun 2/70 back on the 9 to listen again today! I know it's good, but I just stuck it in a drawer with all the others when I got it. I will do a field test with it and compare!
@@FirstUnitedTactical Great. I would be happy to see even if you prove me wrong, so that I don't fool myself or others.
@SK-rj1ti Plan it being the next, or next next video. I'm curious myself, but need decent weather to do a test like that.
Is the smiley telescopic antenna you used in this video the gmrs tuned one or the dual band ham antenna?
@@4x4le The Smiley Super Stick telescopic antenna is a 465 MHz GMRS tuned antenna. I tend to have better performance with it collapsed more than fully extended. If you get one, test it with a friend first, that way you will know how yours reacts before an “emergency” arises!
U really feel on this side of the video the ABBREE was a very good contender
This video shocked everyone. The Smiley 5/8 Slim Duck 465 ALWAYS comes out on top as the short, and the Nagoya 771g always as the long. The Abbree 771c gmrs is pretty close to the Nagoya tho. If you watch my other field tests, there's no comparison.
@firstunitedtactical the nagoya seemed pretty bad here, right? I will watch the other videos though. Thanks!
I have the H-3 and I just got the Smiley 5/8 antenna, I noticed that there is a gap where the antenna screws into the radio. The antenna came with what looks like a rubber washer and a black coned shaped adapter of some kind. I noticed on your video that when you tested the H-3 you didn’t have that black cone thing on yours. My question is, how and when should I use the washer or the black cone thing, sorry not sure exactly what it’s called.
@22272480 I always have the "cone" on when I'm in the real world. During testing I'm swapping antennas so much I leave it off so I don't lose it. Always keep it on and it will prevent corrosion on the terminal. I don't need a washer on either Wouxun, or either Tid. Just the cone should be good.
It would also be cool to see how the 2m/70cm 19” signal stick compares to the 771s. I’m hearing it works really well!
I've heard the same. I've been told to get that and the comet....
I forgot to add this link. If you haven't seen it, it's cool. I got a Field Strength Meter....
ua-cam.com/video/GsVNOjNRss0/v-deo.htmlsi=lgAGPLuEljhOkmVP
did you leave your car door open Or am i hearing things
Haha, yep. I never heard it while testing, but heard it while editing. I've never done that because of that stupid bell!
I love your videos, but I'm a little confused about this one. It seems like the Signal Stick performed the best here, but it was terrible in your previous video on GMRS antennas.
If you had to choose one antenna from this review, which one would you choose for the longest range and versatility (possibly usable as VHF/UHF as well)?
Thanks! And boy that's a difficult question to answer.
Let me first say the Signal 440 came out of no where and performed like a champ. That was totally unexpected and there is no way I would've guessed it based on past performance.
My current setup is: (I always always always have a Nagoya 771g in my truck) but, radio wise right now, and daily: wouxun uv9gx with a Smiley 5/8 slim duck 465. My H3 also carries the Smiley 5/8 slim duck 465. If I'm in the country and need to hear better, I put the 771g on. I believe I would say the Smiley Super Stick 465 is the closest I have to a 2/70 range, but only when extended. It performs great collapsed on gmrs, but I've heard it works well on 2/70. In all reality, the Wouxun UV9Gx comes with a 2/70 antenna, but it is tuned a little better for 465 compared to other aftermarket 2/70.
You're not the only one confused by this video! I almost went back to the 5 mile mark (yall didn't see) and do it from there just so the 440 didn't kick so much butt. But, at 5 miles with my uv9gx at the base with repeater, it pushed so much solid power you couldn't hear a difference on any radio with any antenna. That blew me away because it's normally the H8 that's the base. I don't have my 2/70 (tech) license yet, so I can't video myself testing those on even simplex channels. And honestly I never have. I will be going for my Tech maybe end of this month and then I can really show off some cool toys!
Mayne I answered your question about antennas????
@@FirstUnitedTacticalYou're bound to like VHF more. Until you get your ticket you could use MURS.
@@yungsmile7546 Yep! I hope to test in two weeks for my Tech (at least). I have a crazy work schedule and can't seem to get the time away to do it on those Saturdays it's scheduled. Believe me I'm trying!
I think you need a nanovna to determine the length you should pull the antenna out for gmrs. I'm not sure, but something to consider
You're right. One of our local guys in San Antonio reached out to me and said the sane thing. He told me that fully extended was more in range of 2/70. I didn't know that before the test, otherwise I would've done a more accurate length and explained it.
Can you test antenas on Baofang UV-5RM and AR-5RM?🙏🏻
@jesusdiaz1249 No because those are HAM radios and I only have my GMRS license. But honestly, the 5RM, 5RH and the 5g Plus are the same.
Would it be possible to get a recommended antenna for each radio? It’s hard to tell much difference listening on my phone.
@joeashbrook5736 Sure, I can give you a list later based on my experience. What kind of radio(s) do you have? Are you looking for a long range antenna like the 771's, or short ones?
I am actually going to do a recap on those field test videos. I have almost 10 out there, and I get this question a lot. It would be easier if I could just put a link to the video here!
Let me know what your questions are and what radios you have.
@@FirstUnitedTacticalcurrently have a H3 (interested in short) and a H8 (long).
@@joeashbrook5736 I am firm believer in the H3 and I can go ahead and tell you that the best short antenna for it is the Smiley 5/8 Slim Duck 465 amzn.to/3LVcS7P and the best long antenna is the Nagoya 771g amzn.to/4cb6jc0 or the Diamond amzn.to/3A0ILcv
The main difference in the Nagoya 771g and the Diamond is the Nagoya is a GMRS specifically tuned antenna and the Diamond is a dual band. This part is up to you: The Nagoya will talk better on GMRS, but you have more options on frequencies if you ever need to talk on HAM or 2m/70cm and GMRS. They are both excellent and the Smiley 5/8 Slim Duck is fantastic. In one of my videos (may be this one, I don't remember) the Signal Stuff 440 performed excellent and better than the Smiley. I can tell you from experience that was not normal. The smiley always performed better and I have one on all of my daily radios. I keep a long one (771) in my truck in case I need to get out in the country and need to receive better. All three of these will transmit equally, but the longer ones will receive more because there is obviously more antenna sticking up in the air to grab the signal. I hope this helps, for now!
I’m new at this.
How does he get the repeater to repeat his testing message.
@@edgoodwin9939 watch this video for the full explanation.
ua-cam.com/video/7qdM3BJ2Wz0/v-deo.htmlsi=9OIxwcqtppENMyhq
Thank you. I get it now. I love it.
Surprised that the signal stick is keeping up with or beating antennas tuned specifically for gmrs/465mhz
I agree. If you go back and watch the two videos that have the big blue "2" on the thumbnail, the 440 did horrible. This is one of those:
ua-cam.com/video/DlG0aj8EB_g/v-deo.html
That's what I was referring to when I said I didn't like it in the beginning. But, it all has to do with the atmosphere. Without a doubt, the Nagoya 771g has completely annihilated the others in my past videos. This video it didn't do well at all with any radio. I can tell you from months of daily experience, the Smiley 5/8 Slim Duck is the best short antenna. However, it stops receiving around the 6 mile mark while in the country. It's a short antenna and doesn't have enough length to "grab" the signal being transmitted. The Nagoya 771g has never failed me, but it sticks me in the armpit all the time! To be honest, this is the first time I have ever seen the Signal 440 do a solid job, and it has never even come close to beating out a Nagoya 771g.... There is one main difference here compared to all of my older vids, and that is I used a Wouxun UV9Gx as my "base" radio. That radio is stroooooong, but doesn't explain why the others didn't receive better. It's the atmosphere.
Was the H8 tested a 5 watt or a 10 watt unit?
I recently received my radios and they are 10 watt, but I am seeing other recent reviews that say they are now building them as 5 watt?
BTW, the bettersaferadio links are not functional.
Bettersaferadio.com/pro/first
See if that link worked. So... all frequencies have a different wattages. My TYT-9800D says it's a 50w, but "if I was to unlock it and transmit on gmrs, it may or may not only transmit at 22w". (Not that I would don't hate that). The H8 is the same way. I have 4 H8s, all 10w, and not a single one hits 10. They push around 9w , 7w and then if unlocked, about 6w on gmrs. I don't understand the engineering behind the chips, but not all channels or frequencies will transmit at that advertised 10w. It's that way on all radios. And it has nothing to do with programming it from Low, Med, High either. The same goes for the UV5R's. My mobile radio is. Btech 50v2, which is advertised as a 50w unit. We'll on 15-30, it's in the 65w range. Don't believe all advertised wattages, and frankly 2w difference isn't going to make a difference. Now, my original H3 that arrived immediately after the release was bad. At max it pushed 3w on high. I got another pack and they pushed 5w. If you are at least 4.5w or more, you should be able to talk 5 miles easy and hit repeaters 20+ miles away (proper conditions and terrain levels).
I fixed the link. It didn't have the https in the beginning. Thanks for pointing that out to me! Without me getting into trouble here, all TIDradios "are" Ham and GMRS. My GMRS version "would" also push close to 10w on 2/70 "if" I was to attempt such illegal activities! The H8's that I am always referring to specifically stated GMRS on the advertisement, but they have more potential than just GMRS. Hopefully all these replies (sorry for all of them) have made some sort of sense for you. I promise I will keep them shorter if you comment or reply again!
@@FirstUnitedTactical
Thank you, Sir. I should have referenced the advertised wattage the unit touted. That link now works.
I have ordered the meter and look forward to cutting through the marketing to get to the performance facts. As a novice, now in the radio rabbit hole, finding the facts has been a challenge.
Which way to go moving forward, is also a challenge, but having a radio that can unlock for the SHTF (hurricane in my area) times and use it legally is a good thing 🙂
Ham, FRS, GMRS, MURS, oh my! Test, no test, no nothing or rogue!
Side note. I have the H3 and it seems to perform admirably when paired with a decent antenna. The Bluetooth app (H8 and H3) is interesting, but making you use GPS to use it is a WT! to me. The Uv-K6 is also an interesting radio when using the latest firmware upgrade. Fiddling with the spectrum analyzer that came in the firmware has been quite interesting. The UV-K6 radio can also operate with the USB-C plugged in and battery removed.
Your research is appreciated. Keep on Keepin on.
@@FirstUnitedTactical
My purpose of exploring various radios is part of a plan to legally prepare for Hurricane season this year for an entire neighborhood, since the FRS level devices were not very good in the past and GMRS makes sense in that at least those FRS radios could receive info from a select group of licensed operators.
I think I understand the need to disappear my last reply but tell me if I am misinterpreting this for emergency use. I am just trying to filter fact from fiction. Edit- Never mind, I see the reply now. Doh!
§97.403 "Safety of life and protection of property"
"No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radiocommunication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available."
And this one
Section 97.405 states that no provision of the Rules prevents the use by an amateur station in distress of any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its condition and location, and obtain assistance. A sinking ship is a good example. It further states that no provision of the Rules prevents the use by a station, in that exceptional circumstance, of any means of radiocommunications at its disposal to assist a station in distress.
Side note: I acquired a couple of these to test when I get that meter. Bingfu Dual Band VHF UHF 136-174MHz 400-470MHz, thoughts on those?
It's hard to tell what ones worked better for the H3?
I tell everyone the best just before the field footage at 8:56. I use the H3 in all previous videos so you can see it in action with all types of conditions and different antennas. My all time favorite for this radio is the Smiley 5/8 Slim Duck 465 MHz. This video showed that one and the Smiley Super Stick 465 MHz were tied. The Nagoya 771g also works extremely well on this radio, but not so much with this test. It's the first time it hasn't come through as a winner. Go here for "true" Smiley products. Thanks! bettersaferadio.com/pro/first
Have you tried any of the super stubbies? Like the Diamond SRH805 or other companies 805 variants?
I have not. In fact, I just got my first Diamond 771 and can't wait to try it. There will be some new antenna test videos coming soon! Diamond, Retevis, UAYESOK, and a couple more just arrived! Get ready!
@@FirstUnitedTactical nice is that including the SRJ77CA? I find it to work great on radios that have ham/gmrs/dmr capabilities
@thomasthewatchman Thats the one! I was immediately blown away by the swr reading. Also, the others had excellent readings as well. I went all out on this order. 3 sizes for the Abbree and Nagoya folding tactical, but all in GMRS, maybe 2 or 3 of the UAYESOK's, which is a generic Retevis I believe. And numerous Retevis. I will end up doing a "playlist" with all of the videos linked together when complete. The first 2 will be the Diamond and Retevis 771, and I'm thinking on my Q10g with the UV9GX at the base. Two very solid radios with excellent antennas should produce a great video. I'm guessing I will use the H8 GMRS as a baseline for comparison.
@@FirstUnitedTactical on your next order round don’t sleep on the upgraded Wouxun!
Wouxun ANO-012G GMRS I used your code to buy this on buy2way
Here is the latest field and bench test with 771's. The Diamond SRJ77CA is in it. It didn't do as well as I hoped, but better than others....
ua-cam.com/video/GsVNOjNRss0/v-deo.html
Probably wouldn't been nice to have post test reflections. I'll re listen to the beginning
What do you mean? The black and white beginning? I do quick clips on all my vids like that.
I mean that your overview at the beginning about which radios work well with antennas would have been more ideal (for me) to be at the end.
Not the b/w clip. All good either way. I just needed to go back to the beginning after watching the tests.
@AskIveSolar Normally I don't reveal my opinions like I did just before the field footage, but I thought that might actually keep folks watching and interested in sticking around. Lots of folks just skip around or stop the video entirely halfway through. It makes a huge difference for "creators" to maintain a steady audience throughout the video. I try to keep it entertaining.
I like the Signal Stick 440, but their website says 'out of stock' and shows the wrong dimensions for the short antenna. Guess I need to call them and get the right info.
Yep. I just went online also and checked. It's best to go ahead and order it, and just wait until the backorders come in. I had to do that with a few of my radios from Better Safe Radio. He stays so busy he can't keep anything in stock. 2 weeks will fly by.... I didn't check Ebay or Amazon, but I don't think you can get them there.
@@FirstUnitedTactical Thanks for the quick reply. Amazon doesn't sell them.
@@jdock32778 I sent an email over to them and asked about the backorder delay. If they reply, I will let you know.
@FirstUnitedTactical Ok thanks. 👍🏻
Straight from them, yes replied on a Sunday! .....
We generally get more stock every Monday, then after backorders are shipped the inventory is updated.
Why do GMRS guys always want a 15 inch antenna, when you require a 4 inch antenna?
The perfect antenna for GMRS tranmission is 6". The longer antennas like 771's are just there to receive more. It's larger so it's like a bigger net catching more frequency. They transmit just as well as a aftermarket short antenna, you can just pick up more Rx with a longer antenna.
The reason you had to go further is because Tidradios are crap. I’d bet good money you would have had to go further if you had gone to a UV-5R as your base. I’ve got an H8 and an H3. Both have great features… but RX is the worst of any of my radios. MY h8 I pretty much just… tolerate. I can mostly understand it… with the 771… and if something sounds like it might be interesting, I grab another radio to participate. But I’m almost to the point of just trashing it and eating the loss. The H3 is small enough that I can use it like an FRS at very short range. But otherwise… it’s pretty much useless. .
True, to a point. The h3 and h8 have more features, but if you have to have a solid radio for important communication, get a Wouxun or Yeasu. My UV5R's are total crap, in fact, all of my Baofeng units are trash. I'm getting a UV-9G sent to me to try out, but my hopes aren't high. I can full on tell you that TIDradio H3 and H8 are 10x better at TX and Rx than a UV5r, based on my testing that I can't show.... but that's just me, in my area, on that particular cloudy day, with x amount of humidity, etc.... yours may be awesome, but my 6 are not. Neither is the 5G Plus or 5RM. And, I wasn't happy with the btech GMRS pro either, which is still part of the Baofeng clan. I never leave home without my Wouxun KG-UV9GX because it's about as solid as they come without going to a commercial Kenwood or Icom.
@@FirstUnitedTactical I would contend the differences we are seeing in our TIDradios are the same we are seeing in our Baofeng products. I have set my 5G+ directly next to my TID h8 and listened to the same transmissions. The 5G+ is consistently clearer. I would attribute our differences of opinion on the two brands to the same thing: inconsistent quality control by the manufacturers. I happened to get ... 7 Baofeng products that work beautifully, and are very clear on transmission and reception. You got 6 that are not good. You got... well, it appears one H3 and one H8 that work beautifully, TX and RX, whereas I got one of each that do not. Perhaps inconsistent QC in both cases. I will not say that yours are bad (even though I essentially did originally, and for that I apolgize). But I will definitely say that mine are bad. Or at least worse than any of my Baofengs. But Wouxuns, i agree, are as good as they come without spending hundreds more.
@rockspydre I completely agree with you. Are you aware that there were recalls on the H8 and the H3's when they were released? Major issues in those first batches. I have newer ones and maybe that's the positive point. Let's see, I have 2 Greaval UV5R 5w, which the "power" is backwards. If it says Low, it's actually high power and when you swap the radio to high power it transmits on low power! Then I have 2 normal baofeng uv5r 5w, which don't transmit great at all. Now, I can still hit Mt repeater 29 miles away with a Nagoya 771g, but they say it's staticky. I also have 2 baofeng uv5r 8w and those are also staticky at 29 miles to the repeater. My baofeng uv 5g won't talk across the yard! (Exagerating).... I've only used the 5g Plus a few times for video, which isn't bad, but there's better radios to spend your money on. So, I guess I misspoke when I said they are trash, it's just I haven't had a great experience with them. The h3 and h8 talk excellent and people say I sound great on that repeater (29 miles). But, the Radioddity GM-30 blew me away! I like it, but there is zero way to unlock it.
@@FirstUnitedTactical It is entirely possible my H8 and H3 are "New Old Stock." I just bought the H3 about a month ago. The H8 only about a month before that. But I think I bought both directly from TIDRadio... I'd have to go back and look. Either way, they could be NOS.
@rockspydre Do you have a power meter? The H8 and the H3 should be around the 5w range on GMRS 15-22. If they are not, they are bad. 1 of my H3's (original batch) only pushes 3w on high. That's the bad guinea pig. I keep it just for video purposes. I eve did a video that's called "Test your GMRS Equipment" and that H3 was the star of the show. I've had lots of TIDRADIOS, and when they are the "current" version, they work really good for a low cost radio. But yes, there are good batches and bad batches.