My new TD-H3 only came with the stock antenna, promptly researched UHF/VHF antennas and ordered the TD-771. Very happy with it so far. Excellent rx/tx to a repeater about 35 miles away. Purchased pack of 2.
Good day Sir. If we leave aside all the characteristics of this antenna and focus solely on the safety of using a stubby antenna for the integrity of the radio, is it safe to use these antennas? Do they damage the transmitter? I have read in many places that such short antennas, very often with high SWR, can damage radios because a lot of power is returned back to the radio during transmission. I would appreciate an answer. Thank you.
When I bought my two TD-H3's I received two of the "TD-771" whip antennas .. but I noticed they say 120/300HHz ( I am currently only using GMRS not HAM) I think these were intended only for the "Air band" frequencies? Do they work on GMRS too (I don't have a meter yet) ... but I did buy an actual NA771G and it works great. I just have not used the ones that came with my radios because I thought they were not for GMRS. am I wrong?
That is the airband version of the TD-771. If you follow the link in the description, the webpage has a number of different TD-771 versions such as Ham, GMRS and Airband specific versions. I should have mentioned the different versions when I did the video. Sorry about that.
@@KS6DAY Ok good. I thought maybbe I had missed something but yes... I was a little disappointed that my kit came with those two airband antennas which I did not really need. (since airband comes in ok with other antennas anyway and you are not transmitting, so... yeah) Good to hear that the ham and GMRS ones work well. But like i said I have a NG-701G and a NG-771G and they both work great for me.
What is going to be "New and improved" on the H8? are they going to put the great features of the H3 into the more waterproof H8? or something else? I would also love to see the H8 and H3 us the SAME battery packs... right now both radios have the same battery power levels, but the physical differences in the two batteries and radios do not allow interchangeability. seams like that should have been designed into these!
I have the Tidradio 771 as well as the Abree 771, yes they are the same antenna. I have several of these as well as 1 Nagoya 771 antenna. I cannot tell a difference in the performance of the radio and I can get 5 Abree/Tidradio antennas for the price of 1 Nagoya.
I had a couple of the Nagoya NA-810 stubby antennas and they were garbage. IIRC, one had an SWR of 7 and the other basically maxed out my digital meter. When I approached BTECH for the return I found out that I would have to pay to ship back and pay a fee even though both were defective (or just a crap product). I verified that they were authentic Nagoya. I definitely would not recommend BTECH or that model of antenna. I bought some cheap plastic 1.5 inch long stubbies off of Amazon and they SWR at 2. Like you I basically stick to my whip or 7 inch antennas unless I am only monitoring. BTW, great series on the H3, I liked my H8 enough that I recently bought a couple of H3s. I just wish I could listen to AM radio on them.
You can never have too many antennas. I swiped one of my wife's counter top gizmos for storing spatulas and big ass spoons from the kitchen and I now have it in my radio room for storing HT antennas. I have 50 or so stacked up in it right now.
I use Rig Expert stick pro. One adapter. Do a sweep of 2 meters and 70 centimetres. Stock antenna is always junk. Anything aftermarket is always better.
My new TD-H3 only came with the stock antenna, promptly researched UHF/VHF antennas and ordered the TD-771. Very happy with it so far. Excellent rx/tx to a repeater about 35 miles away. Purchased pack of 2.
Thank you for making this! And the vx-6 radio video series that was so helpful!!!
How was the SWR and performance of the stock antenna that comes with the Tidradio H3? I was hoping to know how it compared to the longer 771..
Good day Sir. If we leave aside all the characteristics of this antenna and focus solely on the safety of using a stubby antenna for the integrity of the radio, is it safe to use these antennas? Do they damage the transmitter?
I have read in many places that such short antennas, very often with high SWR, can damage radios because a lot of power is returned back to the radio during transmission.
I would appreciate an answer. Thank you.
When I bought my two TD-H3's I received two of the "TD-771" whip antennas .. but I noticed they say 120/300HHz ( I am currently only using GMRS not HAM) I think these were intended only for the "Air band" frequencies? Do they work on GMRS too (I don't have a meter yet) ... but I did buy an actual NA771G and it works great. I just have not used the ones that came with my radios because I thought they were not for GMRS. am I wrong?
That is the airband version of the TD-771. If you follow the link in the description, the webpage has a number of different TD-771 versions such as Ham, GMRS and Airband specific versions. I should have mentioned the different versions when I did the video. Sorry about that.
@@KS6DAY Ok good. I thought maybbe I had missed something but yes... I was a little disappointed that my kit came with those two airband antennas which I did not really need. (since airband comes in ok with other antennas anyway and you are not transmitting, so... yeah) Good to hear that the ham and GMRS ones work well. But like i said I have a NG-701G and a NG-771G and they both work great for me.
Useful info as always Scott - thank you! Have you heard when we might see the 'new and improved' TD-H8? Thanks and 73,
No news yet. I did notice they have a new DMR HT but they don't seem to be promoting it at all.
What is going to be "New and improved" on the H8? are they going to put the great features of the H3 into the more waterproof H8? or something else? I would also love to see the H8 and H3 us the SAME battery packs... right now both radios have the same battery power levels, but the physical differences in the two batteries and radios do not allow interchangeability. seams like that should have been designed into these!
I have the Tidradio 771 as well as the Abree 771, yes they are the same antenna. I have several of these as well as 1 Nagoya 771 antenna. I cannot tell a difference in the performance of the radio and I can get 5 Abree/Tidradio antennas for the price of 1 Nagoya.
Thanks for the info. I went ahead and grabbed some.
Thanks, Scott.
I'd be interested in seeing videos on the TID firmware mods. :)
I am glad you brought up SWR Reading Methods... Lets not forget spurious emissions testing as well ! LOL Thank You
I had a couple of the Nagoya NA-810 stubby antennas and they were garbage. IIRC, one had an SWR of 7 and the other basically maxed out my digital meter. When I approached BTECH for the return I found out that I would have to pay to ship back and pay a fee even though both were defective (or just a crap product). I verified that they were authentic Nagoya. I definitely would not recommend BTECH or that model of antenna. I bought some cheap plastic 1.5 inch long stubbies off of Amazon and they SWR at 2. Like you I basically stick to my whip or 7 inch antennas unless I am only monitoring. BTW, great series on the H3, I liked my H8 enough that I recently bought a couple of H3s. I just wish I could listen to AM radio on them.
I haven't found a 2m/70cm stubby yet that doesn't have SWR problems. Even the Diamond RH-3 stubby produces high SWR.
My guy comes in with the video after I just dropped $$$ on half a dozen antennas 4 days ago. 😂
You can never have too many antennas. I swiped one of my wife's counter top gizmos for storing spatulas and big ass spoons from the kitchen and I now have it in my radio room for storing HT antennas. I have 50 or so stacked up in it right now.
I use Rig Expert stick pro. One adapter. Do a sweep of 2 meters and 70 centimetres. Stock antenna is always junk. Anything aftermarket is always better.