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| Reviews Summary for Pryme Radio Products AL-800 Telescoping HT Antenna |
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Reviews: 16
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Average rating: 4.8/5
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MSRP: $34.95
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Description: Telescoping 2M/440 High Gain HT Antenna... 3.2 dB gain 2M / 5.6 dB gain 440 MHz. 50 Ohm impedance and BNC connector.
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More info: http://www.pryme.com
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write your own review of the Pryme Radio Products AL-800 Telescoping HT Antenna.
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KF4FRK
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 12, 2008 19:27
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Best HT Antenna Period
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The Al-800 is my favorite HT antenna. The only time that I could see using something else would be if you were near the repeater or needed something with flexibility (although the rat tail does provide this). If you are in a fringe area or need to kick down the power level to preserve battery power, this antenna is for you.
Too bad this isn't available with an SMA connector, but that would probably make for an unstable mounting to the radio.
Mine is ancient, it is actually an ANLI AL-800.
Out of my cold, dead hands.....
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LOSTTOY
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Rating: 4/5
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Jan 21, 2008 00:59
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Best HT antenna but for the BNC connector
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought this antenna right after I bought my VX7R. Over the last few weeks I got tired of the size and weight of the antenna so I tried to replace it with the Diamond SRH77CA Dual Band (2 m /70 CM) HT Antenna.
Let me give me your a brief overview of how the AL-800 performed. With the AL-800 on the VX7R, I could hit a repeater in Fremont,CA from San Francisco (at least 30 miles) with just 1 watt on the 2 meter band. My signal could be copied clearly. On the freeway from Mountain View CA to SFO, I could hear lots of PDs clearly. Even is SFO, I could hear SJPD clearly. Ofcourse, it helps that I live near Twin Peaks.
Cut to the Diamond SRH77CA that has a 4.4(SMA)/4.9(BNC) rating on eham. I get lots of noise when I am at home and try tuning to the Fremont repeater. On the freeway, I hear nothing but noise.
I know the Diamond is not as long as the AL-800 but the AL-800 easily creams the competition. I really wish they made a SMA version that would natively fit my VX7R. The whole SMA to BNC thing makes me very uncomfortable especially when someone at the local HRO store told me that the SMA connector on their VX7R broke due to the AL-800. For now, I am ordering KC2BHO's SMA to BNC connector and see if that is better than the Yaesu branded one.
And the Diamond is going back to the local HRO store.
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KC9GWK
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 27, 2007 06:33
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Made my first sat contact with this
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Folks,
I bought this antenna after reading the reviews of others. It was under $30 at the local ham store (AES). I already bought the SMA-BNC adaptor listed in an ealier review. Together this antenna fits great on my Yaesu FT60. I followed the directions of others and using this antenna and my HT I made my first satellite contact on the AO-27 bird. That was fun! I will also now be using this antenna for local repeaters when needed.
73 to you all.
Ed
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WA4SCA
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 18, 2007 05:47
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Works great in fringe reception area
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I live very near a system of VHF and UHF repeaters, but due to the location of some ridges, I have always gotten spotty reports getting in with a 5 watt HT, even though my reception is excellent. After trying an after market antenna, and even configuring my base station as a TX repeater, I finally tried an AL-800. Problem solved! In fact, now the UHF repeaters are also useful, with a little careful location of the rig.
My HT is 5" tall, and the retracted length of the antenna is 10". It always gets a smile when I put the unit on the table, and then extend the antenna to its full 34" length.
One slight downside to the long length is that it puts some strain on the BNC junction as you wave it around. In my case, there is some very slight give in the connection. Nothing serious, but I was concerned about wear over time. I found an o-ring at the local hardware which was the correct diameter to fit over the BNC jack and provide a bumper between the bottom of the antenna connector and the HT case. It was too thick initially to allow the antenna connector to twist lock, but I was able to convert the o-ring to an o-washer with an emery board.
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KB3NDS
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 5, 2007 20:11
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Awesome - for Sats!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have worked many satellites with this antenna. Works great on cruise ships for working sats and repeaters. Can't be beat.
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AA6A
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 3, 2006 11:35
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Exceptional UHF db gain!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Follow-up review:
If you need as much UHF/VHF db gain as you can muster from a compact fanny (or back) packable antenna for special purpose use w/ your HT, this is the one to get! You will reach the repeater with this antenna's extendable whip when you're operating out in the back country. Just take care not to bend the telescoping whip.
A great addition to your HT antenna collection; and definitely a special purpose antenna for limited use. Cared for it will last a lifetime.
Very highly recommended.
Very 73,
Rob - AA6A
(Prev AK9G)
(Prev K6RSG)
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K9CHP
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 8, 2006 16:25
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Long but super
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I managed to make quite a few satellite contacts, some of them quite disatant, using a Yeasu VX-2 and this antenna. This setup is perfect for traveling and when I don't want to look like someone just escaped from the luny bin...
And in addition it is an excellent 2m/440 antenna. It sure is easier to lug than my Arrow II, but the Arrow II is still better on satellites.
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KD4JXZ
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Rating: 5/5
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May 31, 2005 15:27
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Great antenna!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Being the owner of an Icom IC-Q7A, I needed an antenna to get my signal out to some of the distant repeaters in my area. I was very impressed with this product after being able to talk simplex in my front yard to another ham across town on 350ma!! I'm a hiker as well and I have enjoyed using this antenna while hiking as well. Yes, it's big and bulky but if you're going somewhere where you need that extra bit of gain, this one will definitely do the trick!
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W2KRP
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Rating: 5/5
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May 25, 2005 09:15
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It Talks.............
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased this antenna a few weeks ago to try out on AO-51 and other LEO sats. My first impression was to return it because there was no way I was going to use it on the VX-7R. This antenna is big and it is heavy. I can see problems in a short time if you are using any SMA radio. Attached, I could already see the stress on the SMA adapter and it moving from the weight of the antenna. I decided to hold on to it and try what K6RSG said below and purchase the BGA-80 adapater from STEPHEN G. GULYAS. The BGA-80 is a must have if you want to use this antenna. The combo of the BGA-80 and the (Mine is also marked ANLI and not PRYME) AL-800 on a HT is an amazing thing. I was able to make a contact from Bayonne, NJ up into Putnam Co., NY. The other person said I was full quieting into the repeater which was 70 miles away. Try that with a stock ducky or an aftermarket antenna.
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KG6UAC
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Rating: 5/5
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May 9, 2005 06:23
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When you need help with 144/440...
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I mainly purchased the AL-800 to work satellites. I figured it was an inexpensive way to increase my gain. However, it has been a great help when it comes to working my local 2m repeater for club nets. I have a Vx-7R, which can be notorious for low audio, with reports of quiet audio. I did get it serviced but I was still receving weak audio reports on 2m even operating at 5 watts. When using the AL-800 my audio reports were much improved.
I've also used it to reach repeaters, which 20+ miles away, which is no small feat in the SF Bay area with it's hills.
Comestically, it looks cool with the black finish and brass trim. I rarely use the rat tail because it's the same length as the stock ducky and is limited in receive capability e.g. AM broadcast.
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