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Reviews For: Pryme RD-98 144/440 HT SMA Antenna

Category: Antennas: VHF/UHF+ Omnidirectional: verticals, mobile, etc

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Review Summary For : Pryme RD-98 144/440 HT SMA Antenna
Reviews: 34MSRP: 27.99
Description:
A wonder to behold, the RD-98 is a 17" dualband HT antenna that is only 1/16th of an inch in diameter. The antenna is made of extremely strong and very flexible material -- you can even tie it in a knot without hurting it! This combination of strength and gain (2.15 dBi on Two Meters and 3.2 dBi on 70 Centimeters) has made the RD-98 the favorite antenna of emergency service volunteers and portable packet operators everywhere. The antenna's BNC (or SMA) connector is even fitted with a black rubber guard to keep out moisture. <br>
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.pryme.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00343.5
KB7XU Rating: 2013-02-08
Satisfied Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had the BNC version of this antenna for about six years mounted on an FT-60 via a BNC-SMA adaptor. I've used it daily. It's been a good antenna but the radiator is starting to bend right at the plastic cover over the connector, due to handling on my part.

It has performed a bit better on UHF than on VHF; overall, I've been satisfied with its performance but it is easy to stress the radiator at the point I mentioned above.

I think I'll seek a somewhat shorter antenna for all-around convienience. 73, ~Max
N0SSC Rating: 2012-09-22
Nope. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
To $30 HT antenna manufacturers:

I too can stick a wire into an SMA connector and cover it in plastic, but for $29 less. You're all doing it wrong.

Sincerely, Sterling

***
The best part of this antenna is that it's hard to bend, aside from the fact it always aims for the eye.
KC8IMB Rating: 2012-05-11
No thanks. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Sorry, this antenna isn’t worth the money. As mentioned previously, it’s just too long. Add to this the extreme flexibility and you have an inevitable eye-poking due to an uncontrolled antenna! The performance was sub-par to my stock antenna (Yaesu VX-5R) on 144/440. Save your hard-earned cash.
KC6YFR Rating: 2010-03-09
All I wanted Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I could not hit the club repeater from my recliner using the stock antenna on my FT-60R. Now with the RD-98 it's easy. It does exactly what I hoped it would.
KJ6AIW Rating: 2009-12-12
Great flexible 2m antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Swr is great on 2m, and totally unacceptable (well over 3-4:1) on 440. Price is great, got mine for 18 dollars. Quality of build is ok. Its worth every penny, for the most part.
N6VI Rating: 2009-07-05
Great for Emcomm! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After a couple of years' excellent performance from this antenna, I bought two more, and all three (2 BNC & 1 SMA) are in service. The flexibility lets me roll it up in a fanny pack or leave it on the radio without fear of breakage. I handed one to a friend having trouble making a contact with his much more expensive aftermarket antenna. He popped it on, and his problem was solved. I emphasize to our newer emcomm operators the importance of being able to work simplex over distance and not rely on repeaters all the time. If they must limit themselves to a handheld, I recommend they get an RD-98 to go with it.

73,

Marty N6VI
ARES, ACS, CERT III
KI6USU Rating: 2009-04-22
Good gain but flimsy construction Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I procured this antenna on a whim at Fry's Electronics, and got the BNC version. My friend has the SMA version, and in comparing them, I can tell the construction is virtually identical. I used it on my T-90A (with an adapter for it, as Fry's didn't have the SMA antenna). There was a vast improvement in Tx on 2 meters. I got good signal reports from repeaters where I was barely perceptible with my stock duck. Moreover, wide band receive improved also, especially near where the antenna was meant to receive, including the airband, the business bands, and the police bands.

However, within two months use, the whip section broke off from the base. The antenna had a poor design, in which there is no strain relief of any kind on the base. The strain relief is important on this kind of antenna, where the whip is so thin and tends to swing around a lot (which also was annoying, it should have been stiffer and thicker).

I won't buy a Pryme antenna again. I just ordered a MFJ 1720S, because it's just about the same length as the RD-98, works with 6 meters, and is much beefier than the RD-98. Also, eHam's glowing reviews about the 1720S persuaded me. It isn't as inconspicuous as the RD-98, but it looks like it will last a good long time.
KG4RUL Rating: 2006-09-03
Mine works great! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
In reading the bad reviews here, there are several negatives cited:

- I broke it - You can break a 2x4 if you try

- It is too long - Not Pryme's fault

- The center pin is short on the SMA connector - SMA connectors are a lousy choice for the application. Blame the radio manufacturers.

- It is too dorky - That is a personal problem

My experience with this antenna has been totally positive.

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by KG4RUL on 2002-08-02

I purchased the RD-98 with a BNC connector instead of the SMA connector. I am using it with my iCOM ICW21AT, Dual Band HT and my Alinco DJS40 70cm HT.

I use an adapter made by KC2BHO to adapt the Alinco SMA jack to the BNC on the antenna. Stephen Gulyas makes a line of adapters for a growing selection of HT's. With a nod to WA3HRL, his webpage has info on these products. http://www.wa3hrl.com/smabnc/

At $11.95 + $1.50 for s/h, this is a good buy. On the HT, the rubber outer cover of the adapter seats firmly on the radio and provides of a very sturdy connection.

I consider this a good investment for any HT user who wants to utilize an antenna with a BNC connector on an HT with a SMA antenna jack.

I also purchased the AL-800 telescoping antenna, with BNC connector, from the same mfg. This one is also dual band, extends to 34" and collapses to 10". You can also uscrew the telescoping unit and replace it with a 9" flexible whip as needed.

The RD-98 for flexibility or the AL-800 for gain - your choice.
VE6JJO Rating: 2006-09-02
Good Stuff Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The rubber duck on my VX-7 gets me to where I need to go most of the time. It is absolutely amazing how much of a difference it makes to have this antenna in place however. Marginal contacts become easy. My house has steel siding so sometimes I have to go to a window to use the radio with the stock antenna but with the Pryme...no problems anywhere in the house including the basement. Yeah, its not the most conventient thing to have when you have the radio clipped to your belt thats for sure, I would never use it that way it just wouldn't be good. BUT I SAW HOW LONG IT WAS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. Its not like I unwrapped a package and was shocked. Nice high gain and yeah, its a little whippy but again - I knew that before I bought it.

I knew what I was buying before I bought it and so since it exceeds all my expectations...5 it is.
K1ESL Rating: 2006-04-26
Works great for me! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had mine well over a year with no problems.

It's a decent performer and I have not had any issues at the base (I use the BNC version) and I really like the fact that I can bend it over (gently) to fit in luggage without damage - it always springs back to vertical.

IMHO it's not long enough to be too dorky (and being very thin, it's not so noticeable either). The performance is well worth it.

I like enough to have gotten one for a friend's HT and it's pleased him as well.