Abbree 42.5 Inch Baofeng Antenna Reviewed HAM Radio - TheSmokinApe

Abbree Antenna Reviewed - TheSmokinApe

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Just a quick video review of the Abbree 42.5" HAM Radio Antenna.

If you liked this video you can see more like it here:

You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram:

Thanks,
TheSmokinApe

[tamistone]

It is not a “Loading” coil, that’s cb lingo and that term does not belong in the Ham lexicon. It is a matching network, or more specifically an impedance matching network. In all likelihood it is probably not a true inductor/capacitor conjugate matching network, but rather a low wattage 50 to 300 ohm resistor with a leaky strap of metal tied to one side. This is done in order to broadband the ‘antenna’ for vswr purposes and somewhat radiate with a hunk of metal off one side. This is a popular technique for emergency broadband HF antennas such as folded dipoles. The folded end of the non-resonant dipole is terminated in a resistor to keep the impedance appearing low across the 1.8-30 MHz spectrum. This makes for a quiet HF receive antenna and gives an inefficient and skewed radiation pattern when transmitting (all the while maintaining a ‘broadband’ characteristic.) Nothing more than a gimmick antenna to appeal to the unwashed masses.

[agmsmith]

These types of “tactical” antenna do work really well. It’s why the soldiers have been using a similar style antenna for a while.

[electrontube]

the reason it's marked like that at the base is: those are the markings at the base of a Harris/Thales AN/PRC 148 or -152. it's purely cosmetic for the airsofters

[paulgroth]

KI7PCX With a baofeng uv-5r I was unable to reach the local repeater. With the 42.5 in abbree I now can. Thank you for your video. To each as to their need.

[danielblackwulf]

I have this antenna but in the 13 inch version for when I am out and about in the hills. It does give a bit more antenna to receive and transmit on. I like it and have them on all 4 of my Baofengs.

[remlongunner]

I've got the 33.5" version and it outperforms the Nagoya NA-771R on my cheap little BF-F8HP on both bands.

[weldontr]

I'm a little.late to the party, but thanx for the review and thanx to the commenters clearing up some of the misinformation I just ordered two of the "made by Abbree" 42.5" ones. Very green and very new to Ham but I am fine ding it crazy interesting and fun! Thanx again guys!

[longrider]

I purchased the 18.8 inch Abbree for my TYT UV8000E back in July of this year, and the improvement on transmitting and receiving went up considerably. As for SWRs, on 146.775 a local repeater here in Cheyenne, I had a SWR of 1.03, and on 449.300, another local repeater I had SWR of 1.08, and this was on my TYT at 10 watts, no problems. I was amazed. If I where to get the 42 inch version I would not actually attach it too the radio. I'd attach it too my back pack or bike and use a short piece of coax, between the antenna and HT. Yes I was very surprised at how good the antenna preformed.

[stoatrepublic]

Hello from Norfolk UK, I have been using this antenna on a uv5r with repeater GB3NB which for me is about 20miles away. Works great in the open countryside and in wooded areas. The connection to the radio is horrendous, so I have made a few changes which work well. I have since found out that this antenna is not supposed to go on top of the radio, there is a coaxial cable for it and it is supposed to be used on a backpack tied into the webbing. There is also a tactical telephone speaker external mic for use with this that I haven't got yet because it costs more then the radio and I think I've spent enough money on this already, but it works very well indeed.

[JDKACP]

Appreciate this review. I just ordered one. I like to carry my Baufeng when I'm out hiking. Also, , , you just got another subscriber.

[falcidi]

We use a very similar antenna with the Harris 152 Radio's in Defence. Obviously the Harris radios are designed to take these long flexible antenna's and they are great if you require that little bit extra range over the standard antenna supplied. That said if we can't reach our contact we always end up throwing a dipole and connecting that to the 152. I have 5 Baofeng UV-5R's and plan to carry two with these antenna's as well as the standard antenna when going on long treks. The fact they fold up and easy to store in a pack make them very convenient. I'm hoping to gain just a little extra distance should the trekking group be separated by any chance.

[rogerlafrance]

If you expand the spectrum display on the SDR radio to 1 or 2 Db steps, you can measure the gain difference between different antennas by keying up different repeaters. Adjust the gain or pad it to stay in the upper third of the display. Also, would make a good portable base antenna mounted on a pole with 20 or so feet of good coax.

[dutchman]

Just ordered mine, going to take it camping with me this weekend

[CrdibleThreat]

Just ordered one, we'll test it and see how it goes..although i have no clue if it's an original one or a fake

[PsychoSmart]

Good review. I still want one to test. I think it would work well as a bigger antenna for my motorcycle when I do setups in the park. Been in my amazon cart for a bit, just haven’t pulled the trigger.

[TheMicroTrak]

I tried this antenna on an MT-AIO (APRS Tracker) with 12 Watts output, and it is amazing! Performs almost as well as the Smiley 5/8th wave "Search and Rescue" telescoping antenna, with much less chance of putting my eye out. I plan to carry one in my pack as a long-range back-up antenna. Of course, its totally worthless when folded.

[ndr]

The cut off on the JT rig is the feedback into the power supply .
Yuesu FT817 has a similar problem, you just need to keep the aerial away from the power supply unit and ferrite rings on the power cable.

[mediclimber]

I have the 18.5 inch models, one for a Baofeng and one for a Yaesu VX8. They work fine.

[ThunderspearNZ]

I had the ABBREE 33cm for Airsoft purposes in this last 2 years. Very clear and longer range !

[exgenica]

With regard to the differences in antenna power handling...I've found the "specs" provided by vendors on amazon, ebay, etc to be OFTEN wrong, and even self-contradictory on the same page. For example, an LED array spec'd in the vendor's "Description" as operating from 9V-32V and then in "Product Description" it shows 10V-60V on the same webpage! Same sort of problem as the 8W v. 20W...the specs are incompatible and can result in damage to the item if you use the wrong one.
When in doubt always go to the manufacturer's specs. I usually also search out and download the product's User Manual /Operator's Guide /etc just to be sure...either from the manufacturer's website or a general documentation provider website (preferably free ones).