CAATail Antenna Review - Next-gen antenna and carrier integration
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2020
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In this video we review the CAATail antenna. The CAAtail antenna is an antenna that can be woven in and around your plate carrier so you don't have to deal with the mess of radio antennas smacking you in the face.
This also makes swapping between different radios much simpler because you don't have to unhook the radio antenna from where ever you may have it secured.
The unit I ordered also included an SMA adapter for Beofang/Alinco type radios. But you can also purchase other adapters such as a TNC adapter. By using this, you can place all the corresponding adapters on your radios but then leave the antenna woven into the plate carrier.
Then when you swap radios or move them from different equipment, you only have to turn and click to connect the antenna. It's a much much easier setup.
Taken from the CAATail antenna website they had the following information concerning signal receive and transmit:
"Antenna Frequency and SWR info:
This antenna has been designed to work in the 30-512MHz range with an exception of these two SWR peaks: 174-232MHz and 255-333MHz. At the start of the peak there is an SWR of 3 and continues up, ending at an SWR of 3. The frequencies between and around these two high SWR peaks SWR stays in the 1.5-1.9 range. (Tests when gathering this information are done when the antenna is over the users shoulder and in a “U” shape on the back molle panel.) Be advised that results may vary with how the antenna is weaved. Never place the antenna under a hydration source."
We did some testing and found there was a bit of signal loss as you begin to go out to distance. As CAATail noted in their info, I believe this was my own fault as I needed to better understand how I had the signal directed. Just aware that your mileage may vary as the signal propagation is dependent on how you have the antenna wrapped around your carrier.
For recieve, I initially had a lot of issues during testing. Then I put the plate carrier on and the receive strength went through the roof. So you body and gear is helping to amplify the signal. I was super impressed how the signal for a hard to hear channel suddenly became crystal clear.
Overall I'm very impressed with the CAATail antenna. The ease of use and creature comforts far outweigh the minor issues the antenna introduces. I want to do more testing to see if I can achieve the optimal signal strength and better direct the signal to exactly where I want it based on how I have it woven into the carrier.
Get your own CAATail antenna!
Beofang Antenna Package (SWA adapter and antenna)
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RTO Antenna package (RTO adapter and antanna) - for military radios
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Motorola Antenna Package (Motorola fit SWA adapter and antenna)
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When you put the carrier on and reception cleared up its because you are part of the ground, similar to a counterpoise.
Absolutely! My test certainly isn't very scientific lol
@@ThinLineDefenseCo Being a new ham operator i didn't know that myself, I just ordered one of those antennas for all the reasons you went over in your video😀👊
@@jeffreygiven7388 hah well we all learn together right? Thanks for watching and for the tips!
I should run a counterpoise on it and try it but I don't know if it's really needed...once its on me.
Let me know how you like yours.
-Walsh
Thank you for the informative video.
Hope it helps. I learned to run the last 2 inches up and out the back of the pc. That makes transmission a ton better.
As a squad antenna it should work fine if you need to reach out farther have a second antenna in your pack with a quick disconnect
Absolutely!
-Walsh
Make sure the radio you're using for your Rx test also has a good antenna, and not just a crap rubber ducky. I've easily hit 32 miles LOS with a UHF DMR using a Nagoya. Caatail's are great if you really need a PC mounted option, but if you really want to stretch your comms out, a good whip antenna is the best option.
Absolutely agree. You need a better antenna if you really want to max distance. I route it behind the head now too.
For what I've been reading, the ideal set up is to have the tip of the tail pointing a bit upward right behind your head, so the rest of the tail should be knit around until that point. Seems like there is a lot of trial and error on finding the ideal set up.
Additionally, I've seen you can get the antenna out of the carrier, tie it to a branch or a tall structure and get way better emergency reach than any -reasonably sized- HT antenna. Height is king when it comes to antenna, so it kind of makes sense.
Seems like a great product. Looking forward to getting one, thanks for the review.
Oh thanks for the tip! I'll try to reroute it so a bit is sticking out the back.
And haha good tip on the tree! That is very true. It just shows how versatile it is
If one foot of that was cable you could use it to wind through your gear. Therefore allowing you to let the antenna section just hang down your back. A lot of signal in this configuration is absorbed by your body unfortunately. You need to make it as vertical as possible not horizontal. The ideal situation would attach it in the middle of your back and stick it straight up your back higher than your neck and slightly over our head. You shouldn’t have to worry about radiation too much because of the amount of bone in the back of your head. That’s better than the traditional use of antennas in front of your face where you eye socket is somewhat vulnerable to UHF energy.
Concur, I actually made this change after the video. It works much better with a small amount sticking up out of the plate carrier.
Make sure the last 12" (or as much as you can) to be vertical.
I heard that! I rerouted mine and the distance is significantly increased
If I need range with my HT I use the Abbree 42 inch antenna, mounted on my backpack, with a cable going to my radio, works very well, and is very military looking, and I get great range.
I should take those out and test em but i saw a few of the ham guys get some surprising results in some reviews.. it is easy to tuck into a carrier?
@@ThinLineDefenseCo Yeah, got some of the gear tires from Nite Eye's, Then slip the antenna through some of the Mollie loops on your carrier. Making sure to also slip the base through some loops, then secure with the gear tires. If you don't want the 42 inch Abbree, get the 28. I use the 18.8, but that is attached directly to my radio. Good luck.
@@longrider42 badass, I'll give it a try! They seem pretty cheap and easy to use.
@@ThinLineDefenseCo Don't forget, you will also need a SMA patch cord to go between the antenna and your radio. Have fun.
Repeaters and uhf antennas are vertically polarized. When you bend the antenna sideways it becomes horizontally polarized which wont be received well by repeaters or other antennas.
As always with the use of HT radio's you yourself are part of the ground plane for the antenna... (Just think about it, in normal non tactical use, when used it's always in your hand and near your head/body) So, it makes perfect sense that both TX and RX will be better if you have it all strapped on than when you do a radio test with the thing freestanding in the basement, like per the test.
Likewise, it not unusual for a vertical antenna to send better. And for a horizontal antenna to receive less background noise...
And the lower you are to the ground the less noise and static you probably get, but you might lose a bit of the signal you want receive as well...
You are the ground plane...😎
Not only the ground, but the fluid in your body works to extend the signal....
Simple test that is from a distance, to put your key fob against your head and press the button until your car unlocks. Now extend the fob away from your body.... you will have extended your range significantly
Thank you so much for showing this however I wanted to not a few issues here: To measure signal you need a signal meter, either from a SDRPlay or another Ham Radio with an S meter. Secondly 70cm is an A W F U L band for in the forest etc..... VHF is far more penetrating. 70cm is a good band for repeaters etc... just not simplex on the ground with other units/people/stations/etc...
Oh yes haha I definitely don't have the proper equipment to test this with my two crappy radios and two bands.
I used simplex because I know a lot of folks use these to play pewpew games so I was trying to relate it to what they may experience and what their range limits may be compared to different antenna.
I haz no fancY S meter lol
@@ThinLineDefenseCo Oh your good my friend! That comment was more for the general public consumption. Was in no way critiquing your review directly.
What is that little clamp on the antenna when is connected to the Baofeng? The one that clips in place the cable!
That's the adapter for the CAAtail antenna. I run their setup and just run the antenna through the carrier so I can flip radios and just QD connect into the antenna.
Have you asked the company how to route the cable?
I have! I actually rerouted mine so it has a bit sticking out if the top behind my head. They also recommend keeping it away from any water bladders.
What attachment is on your baofeng that covers your volume nob to not be messed with when on your kit?
I appreciate the like, would love a link to buy if possible.
Always remember YOU are part of the antenna.
Did you try running a counterpoinse.
I have not! Caattail was the only one I was aware of that connected into my garbage civilian radios.
Do those offer some advantages?
I have never tried it on 70cm but ive seen videos of people using them on 2m or 70 cm with non resonant antennas and claim it helps its just thin qrp antenna wire, not sure of the length, there are apps in the app store to help you figure out counterpoise length for your freq it just attaches to the metal base of the antenna, some people just let it drag behind them, but it might be able to route it through your plate carrier, grounding usually makes an antenna more resonant.
@@scottpayne33 ahhh I did see that! I had meant to get some wire and an eyelet to try this.
It does pose a good question on if you could just route the counterpoise through the carrier.
I'll have to try it!
what kind of coax cable do you think they use in the caatail?
Coax? Well I don't think it's a shielded cable lol
-Walsh
@@ThinLineDefenseCo probably just using a Nitinol wire. From plug to end how long are these. I'm thinking about buying one.
Who makes that radio pouch?
That one I got off the kryptek website!
What would I need to get one of these setup with a wouxun kg-uv9d (not plus)
I apologize as I don't have one but it looks like the same sma female as the baofeng.
@@ThinLineDefenseCo I happen to also have a baofeng uv5r since amazon sent the wrong one, looks like wouxun uses a female sma connector and baofeng has a male sma on the HT, so if I got the CAAT at the link below that comes with a sma male adapter to BNC female, that would allow the CAAT to connect to my wouxun right?
caatailantennas.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-hotshot-wearable-antenna
@@crowbar12121 yea but I'd recommend chatting with caatail just to make sure. I chat with him now and again on Instagram. He's also very responsive over email.
Tell him TLD sent you lol
-Walsh
@@ThinLineDefenseCo awesome thanks haha
What plate carrier are you running?
That's a golden egg lol esstac daeodon in kryptek mandrake. I love that carrier....I need to review it!
-Walsh
@@ThinLineDefenseCo appreciate the info! Is that their cummerbun? Looks like yours has mag holders in it, Very slick. I’ll look forward to the review.
@@steveng461 it is their cummerbund. It has full hook velcro on the inside so I have mag pouches with esstac mag inserts hooked into it.
I thinkkkk it's blue alpha gear. I'd have to check again.
What is the clip you have on the UV5R which goes between your knob and the antenna?
It's a little 3d printed bit I had made to cover the knob when I have it on my plate carrier. I found I'd continually bump the volume knob.
@@ThinLineDefenseCo would you mind sharing the file?
@@dmrcoyle1975 absolutely
www.thingiverse.com/thing:2821045
Yeah that's not going to work great lol, that antenna type needs to be as straight up as possible. Otherwise it defeats the hole idea of a 360 antenna. You would be better off Mountain your HT somewhere on your back I'm using an external microphone on a pigtail cable, if the antenna is getting me away.
I actually ran it a bit different after talking to the guys at caattail. They recommend it sticks out the back above the plate carrier. The range is significantly improved. It's not as good as the standard alinco antenna but the ease of use makes it worth the trade off.
Thanks for watching and commenting! I'll take a look at it again and see what I can do to improve.
Your body plays tricks. Pretty sure your body is a booster when antennas are against the body. My radio fm will work perfect if I grab the damn thing. Stop touching it and shwhdhsjjajejfjskdjfje.
haha your body absolutely does. Interestingly, companies test the value of an antenna with a body mold and in a normal position with the radio held to your face. Then they can see how the antenna performs when then body aids in signal rx and tx.
All the money spent on guns and other gear but you buy the cheapest and shitiest radio on the market?
You mean the cheapest easiest to use radio solution to setup a duplex radio setup for 6 team members and their families?
Yea, it's super dumb lol thanks for watching.
-Walsh