[SARES] HT antennas

Most people realize that the antenna that came with their HT was a 
compromise design trading reduced gain (call that loss) for convenient 
size.  Most people also know that half wave or 5/8 wave antennas will give 
6+ dB improvement over the factory supplied antenna, but will be unwieldy 
indoors and during walking.

There is an in between antenna that is half way between these two.  It is a 
full size quarter wave made with extremely flexible 1/16 inch diameter 
material.  It hardly weighs anything and is so flexible that it is a 
reduced safety hazard.  I have measured these at 3 dB better than the 
factory supplied antenna.  These usually come as a dual band with real gain 
on 440.

Using this will allow you to half the transmit power level on your HT and 
double battery life (assuming an emergency situation where there is a lot 
of traffic.)

The local HRO store has several brands in stock.  Do a good search.  They 
have one that is 1/8 inch diameter and stiff enough to be an increased 
safety hazard in crowded situations.

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