TWAYRDIOFoldable Tactical SMA Female Radio Antenna Dual Band 144/430MHz 31.5 inch Ham Radio Antennas for BaoFeng BF-F8HP UV-5R UV-5R5 DM-5R UV-82 UV-5X3 UV-5RTP WOUXUN KG-UV6D KG-UVD1P

I used this on my Kenwood portable radio. Inside a steel building, I wasn’t getting very good service. Once I installs this antenna, I haven’t missed anything yet. I used to hear the “searching “beep quite often but I haven’t heard it cents. Definitely not “tactical” but it is foldable.

There are two versions of the TWAYRDIO Foldable Tactical SMA Radio Antenna. The difference is that one has a female SMA connector while the other has a male SMA connector. Both antennas are dual band (144/430MHz) and work on the 2-Meter and 70-cm ham bandsWhich one you purchase depends on the type of HT radio that you own. The male version works with some YAESU/Vertex, TYT and ICOM HTs. The female version works with Baofeng, Wouxun and several other Chinese HT brands. Don’t go strictly by brand in determining which version to order. Look closely at your radio’s antenna connector and order the appropriate version.Both antennas are 31.5 inches long. They are flexible can can be bent over and held in place with a Velcro band (supplied with the antenna.) Cosmetically, they look tactical with military type camouflage. However, most ham radio handhelds are black, so I didn’t feel that a camouflage antenna looked particularly great on them. But that is clear a matter of personal preference. I did not run any measurements on the TWAYRDIO Foldable Tactical SMA Radio Antenna. However, when attempting to hit fringe repeaters in my area on two-meters, the antenna seemed comparable to the very well regarded Diamond SRH77CA antenna.

I'm still learning about HAM radios, but I've upgraded the antennas on all of my handhelds. this is the longest antenna yet, and the first folding antenna.I've only done very simple function check type tests so far, and this antenna performs just like the stock antenna it replaced.In the coming months i will finish the FCC test and be able to use the proper HAM frequencies to stretch the distance on these radios and see which antennas actually give the best performance.This 31.5" antenna appears to be well made and the bright green camo pattern looks kind of cool.

It fit my TD radio perfectly and came with a rubber washer which I appreciated. It also has a velcro strap to hold it in the folded position. That is how I'm going to leave it until and unless I need the full antenna then I'll release it to pop up. I'm happy.

I'm no expert in these matters but I need some good comms in case of apocalypse and this looked like a good antenna for my Baofang. It fits like a glove and puts out at least as much energy as the factory antenna but only on the bands that it specifies. I tried it on a frequency slight outside of the listed band and the energy output was substantially less (see the EMF readings in the photos). I also tried to connect with a buddy about 4 miles away through lots of obstruction. We heard each other's clicks and that was about it until... I touched the wall of my house and amazingly I could hear him. This was on a frequency outside the dual band so I guess it was using the house as an antenna or amplifier. Again, I'm no expert. But I do feel more comfortable with this antenna that I would otherwise.