[Voted #1 UHF/VHF Dualband Ham Radio Antenna] Heyrtz Retractable High Gain Low SWR Dual Band Handheld Radio Telescopic Antenna Whip SMA Female Connector Base

This antenna made a noticeable improvement in reception and transmission immediately after replacing the factory rubber duck antenna. While removing the new antenna from my radio, the antenna came off in two pieces. When the antenna was made, it appears to have missed getting a little glue to prevent this joint from coming apart unintentionally. I asked the seller if this coming apart would affect the reception. I specifically told them that I was completely ok with keeping the first antenna if it was going to work properly. The company asked for a couple of pictures to fully understand what was going on. They sent me a replacement that was at my house within a couple of days. The new antenna works flawlessly, the first antenna I received still works I think, but I'm using the new one and keeping the other as a backup. I know it wasn't exactly perfect on the very first item that I received, but the company more than made it right, the price was more than fair, and the antenna works great. 5 star service and product in my opinion. Mistakes happen but this company stands behind their products.

I got one of these for Christmas to use for my portable on UHF frequencies, specifically to use on a portable radio that was scratchy to another unit exactly 1.3 miles away. It worked exceptionally well on simplex, allowing the signal to be clear enough that I can reliably talk to the targeted station clearly (thus eliminating the need for a base station antenna).My VHF experience was just as convincing. I am a volunteer firefighter/EMT and our primary operating repeater is 8.4 miles away and at best, I usually have to step outside of my house and hope for good atmospheric conditions to even get into it enough for a readable signal. On my first call after getting this antenna, I was unable to respond but had information for the responding units, I grabbed my radio and extended this and made contact from inside my house! Later, my crew informed me that my transmission was crystal clear.I know this is a short sampling, but these results have been consistent and met my need perfectly so it gets a 5 star rating from me.

This antenna looks and feels like a quality piece,However the swr at 146.8 MHz is 3:1 and the swr at 440. MHz is 8:1An inexpensive 1/4 wave tram mag base(As shipped) is 1.25:1 and 1.02:1 swrAt 5.8 watts and 3.5 watts with a UV-82With the same digital meter

Craftsmanship: item arrived in a heavy duty sleeve and box labeled as advertised. The antenna is well built and in terms of mechanical functionality, is perfect. Some have commented that the base of the antenna failed to seat properly when the SMA connector completely threads into the base. This was not the case for me. The antenna seats perfectly to my HT and I can use all of my local repeaters in the Alexandria and Arlington area. I worked the K3ERA repeater using the W3PGC ARES/RACES Net tonight and got into the repeater perfectly with this antenna. That is a 13 mile straight line distance on 5 Watts using my HT. Couldn't ask for more.

I like the antenna and seems to work good. You do have to be careful on when extending as closer to the end you get the more fragile the antenna gets, so don't yank it out! I do like the ability of angling the antenna to my liking, but if actually swiveling the antenna around im afraid of breaking it. This could use some more design. But overall I like the antenna.

I put this on my antenna analyzer, which only goes up to Vhf, and it was resonant at 159mhz which is too high for Vhf. It seems to work better with my Uhf radios so I will assume it is only good for Uhf now.

Good antenna and even with the hing in the middle there is no noticeable drop in signal strength. I have tested it against other antennas and the signal was as good or better in the retracted position but much better with the antenna extended. I would buy it again.

Antenna arrived by UPS truck within a few days, opened blister pack, removed small box, slid antenna out of zip-lock pouch, screwed it on to Kenwood handheld, extended telescope, turned on and found no real reception gain compared to standard antenna. As I unscrewed antenna I heard a spring snapping back sound and saw that the base of the antenna was still attached to the radio and then the coil and thin wire were also left behind. I am thinking the glue used to hold the entire antenna assembly must have expanded and contracted during shipping to Ohio (20 deg out) and allowed everything to separate. I cleaned off and tinned the thin coiled wire, the threaded inside collar at the opposite end, resoldered the connection and reassembled the stack. It works again but I have a strip of tape on it now saying "NEVER TIGHTEN".I've had much better antennas and looks as if it could swivel but it just unscrews.After this review the company sent another antenna (no charge) within 4 days and it works perfectly. Much better in fact, than the issues I had with the first one. Good service!