TYT UV8000D Radio: Stock Antennas tested

Many reviewers of the Tytera UV8000D radio report experiencing heat issues. This is because the radio is rated as a 10W radio, and more power means more energy. Some of this extra energy goes toward making the signal stronger, but energy that gets trapped in the radio as a standing wave converts to heat instead of a waveform. The result is less signal propagation, and potential heat damage to the integrated circuits. A properly tuned antenna is critical to mitigating the magnitude of the standing wave, so we decided to look at the antennas that are supplied with the radio, and compare their performance to tuned antennas (antennas that are calibrated so that the signal that they generate is a wavelength ratio that is a targeted harmonic of the transmit frequency).
The results indicate that the stock OEM antennas can function as well as tuned antennas when the center tune point is the same. However, when you move about 5MHz or more past this point, you need to address your transmit frequency with a tuned antenna that is within 5MHz of matching it.
In the VHF universe, these radios typically straddle a range greater than 30MHz. Asking any rubber duck antenna to cover that great of a range without creating an unacceptable standing wave ratio is not possible: at least three rubber duck antennas or one telescoping field tunable metal antenna would be required to do this.
This demonstration shows when you can expect to use the OEM stock antennas that come with the radio, and when you should not. It does this by comparing Standing Wave Ratios, Forward Power, and Reflected Power characteristics of both VHF and UHF antennas over the frequency range supported by the radio.
The results show the VHF OEM antenna has an acceptable SWR around 150. (Moving more than 5MHz above or below that point is not advisable.) They also indicate that tuned antennas are better in the UHF band by supporting greater forward power and reflecting less power.

[@eztravelandcruises]

Thanks for this instructive video. I have this model radio so it has given me some ideas on how to better operate it.

[@henrycruz45cal]

So what antennas do u recommend for that radio?
Thx

[@MountainParameters]

I use the IPX6 which is a modified 5/8 wave Smiley for VHF, and the 1/4 wave slim duck for UHF. I avoid the use of supposed 'dual band' antennas.

[@TheDuder315]

I'm curious why you don't use a 5/8 uhf antenna?

[@MountainParameters]

Thanks John,
We have little use for UHF in what we do. However, I see your point, it would probably be instructive if I gave more attention to the UHF part of the subject and compared the stock antenna to something like the Smiley Tri Band when I tested UHF. Now that you mention it, I wish I had done that. Perhaps I should make a short video and do that as well.
Thanks for the idea, I'll probably act on that.

[@TheDuder315]

No, thank you! I've learned a ton from your site and your videos. It just got me wondering if there is a reason you don't offer smiley's 5/8 wave UHF antenna as well? Would it not be superior to the 1/4 wave?
Keep up the good work, it's a treat to pick your brain.

[@MountainParameters]

Which UHF Smiley antenna did you have in mind?