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Reviews For: Diamond RH77CA

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

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Review Summary For : Diamond RH77CA
Reviews: 41MSRP: 24.99
Description:
Dual-Band HT/Scanner Antenna (BNC)

Gain: 2.15dBi (430 MHz) Max Power: 50W (Watts) Impedance: 50 Ohm Length: 30 cm Weight: 40g Connector: BNC 1/4 wave length (144 MHz), 1/2 wave length (430 MHz) and finally Made in Japan.

Product is in production
More Info: http://www.diamondantenna.net
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00414.8
KI4CRA Rating: 2005-06-14
Outstanding HT antenna!! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have had my RH77CA dual band/scanner antenna for about 6 months now. I use it on my IC T7H dual band HT. For all intents and purposes I gave the stock antenna that came with my HT to a friend of mine who needed one for his HT. This is one sweet antenna. I have hit the main repeater in our county, from my house at a distance of 12 miles with 1 watt. I too wish that they would make a tri-band version of this antenna I would then put one on my IC T90A.
Anyway folk, just my $.02 worth. I wouldn't trade this antenna for anything, it works that well!

Mark
AI4HO
K4DSB Rating: 2005-06-14
Testing the RH77CA multiband antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The Diamond RH77CA was my choice to replace the stock antenna on my Kenwood TH-78A handheld dual band HT. I have used it, and tested it pretty well to give these results. I made the extra effort to carry both the stock antenna and the RH77 with me so as to compare the antenna's in many situations (simplex, repeater, scanning etc)
One advantage not mentioned in some reviews written by hams is the wide band features of the RH77CA for use in scanning (like the 120Mhz , 150Mhz and 800 - 900Mhz bands (and others) which maynot be important to hams that don't have wide band scanning options on their HT's. And testing this antenna in those service bands showed me that it did very well against trying to use the stock antenna (which it was not designed to do) I probably showed an average of 2 S units or better in those bands (and slightly better yet as I went lower in frequency) also for you 2 meter mostly hams I have some bad news ...this antenna is only slightly better than the stock on my HT.. BUT it never showed me worse, only slightly better (as evident in alot of simplex QSO's) However, the good news is 440MHZ! here it was really strong in performance maybe 2 - 3 S Units
AD7BK Rating: 2004-04-21
SRH77CA is the SMA verision of the RH77CA Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This antenna first of all is thicker than the SMA-24 it dont offer the same gain but the thickness of the antenna is to my liking. Less chance of Multi-pathing with this baby. it is 2 inches shorter than the SMA-24 which I had at one time. This perfomer is great with my Kenwood TH-F6A. The sturdy base of the antenna makes this antennna strong when you are walking around, everyone says it is a much better performer than the stock duck you get with the rig. It is both flexiable and sturdy. Diamond could of done a bit better if they made it 19" long instead of 15" It claims to be 1/4 wave (0dBi) on 2m and 1/2 wave (2.15dBi)on 440. It is the perfect companion to your dual bander ht. It will be my only antenna for 2m/70CM but the problem is i hae to change antennas if I want to talk 220. But not much there from what I hear in tacoma the real test will be finge areas.

73
AD7BK
KD7ZNF Rating: 2004-03-18
Mine is 12 years old now Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is still the best HT antenna I have seen yet! This thing picks up out of band NOAA weather reports just as good as my Comet SB-14 triband on a roof mount! 12 years old and it still performs like the day I got it from HRO! Woulds recomend it to anyone, anytime. I wish they built one like this in a triband 6M/2M/70CM.
K1MRI Rating: 2003-09-21
This one works! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have tried a few antennas for my HT (Icom ic-V8)this one really works. As a test on simplex using 0.5 watts, working HT to HT in an city area at a distance of about 2 miles the signals got through, no problem. Switched to the rubber duckies no signal at all.
VE3YES Rating: 2002-10-07
Best antenna I've had Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this antenna years ago at Dayton and it's worked perfectly. Others have noted the bandwidth for Rx is very wide and I'll agree with that. Performance on 70cm and 2m is better than anything else I've used (with exception of 5/8ths telescopic on 2m). Only gripe is the length of the antenna is quite abusive on BNC spigots. This is not unique to this antenna, but just a consequence of the length. That said, I can recommend this antenna without hesitation.
W9DPY Rating: 2002-07-26
Good Ham and scanner antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this antenna for use with an older Icom W31. It works great. Just got back from Alaska and made may contacts using only the handheld and the RH77CH. The real supprise is what a great scanner antenna this has turned out to be. I have used it on an RS PRO-43 and an older AOR 8000. Great coverage from VHF Low band to 1.2 GHz ham. Only minor problem is that it is slightly long. But hey, you can't beat the laws of physics!
KB1HOL Rating: 2002-05-01
Excellent extended whip Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased this antenna for my Icom W32A for use at public service events. I am not disappointed and I'm very pleased with its performance. It certainly extends the reach of my HT significantly over the stock duckie on 2 meters, allowing me to hit repeaters with more transmission clarity. The antenna is well constructed, though I was originally concerned about the whip's longevity due to how its mated with the base. Alot of flexible whips tend to have cut insulation near this area as they're stressed. I've had the RH77CA for 5 months now and there's no appearance of wear. The only real concern I've right now is the thickness of the antenna and how well it'll last over the years from bending stress of being worn on the belt. Only time will tell, but I've confidence I'll not be disappointed. This antenna is an excellent addition to any BNC mount HT and I can heartily recommend it.
KD6OIZ Rating: 2001-10-21
Take dual band HTs to a new level Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had this antenna for years. Though its now pretty mangeled and beaten it still preforms great. I use it on my Yaesu FT-470, and it gets me to places I wouldn't dream of getting normally. Though it can't really be compaired with a good Diamond 3db+ gain mag mount, it really pushes the bar up a notch for HTs. I absolutely consider it imparative that everyone in need of a new HT antenna grab this thing. I only wish they made on for 220!
KD5CYW Rating: 2001-03-23
Great Gain and hitting power. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This RH77CA was proved to me by a simple demo...
I was in the middle of the Aircraft Hangar in the offices, surrounded by steel, concrete, and aircraft. A friend of mine just bought his for his HT, I looked at the Pkg and seen that it was dual band, so I took out my Alinco DJG5TH dual bander. Tried hitting the repeater with the stock Ant at 5 watts, could not do it. Put the 77 on and went to 5 watts, hit it, then down to 0.5 watt, hit it and talked to someone else like I was using the mic on the repeater unit, clear as a bell sound. He was impressed with that, and a friend of ours who has just a scanner bought one just for that, he was amazed too.

Went to a Hamfest and bought one, yes, a little too long for everyday use, but good for simplex events, and also hitting the repeater as well when in the yard or in the field. I also got the smaller version that is about 7" or so for everyday use, works just as well as the big brother.

As an ARES member, I wouldn't leave home with out it, in my "grab and go" bag.