PMR range doubling tip for UV5R type HTs

[Lightspeed]

We continuously test the local coverage of our PMR446 equipment by transmitting with a standard PMR446 compliant hand held to a UV 5R type radio as the wandering receiving station. This gives us a good understanding of what we can hear from the local area, and where the dead spots are.

Coverage has been increased 50% by simply repacing the UV 5r's stock antenna with a Nagoya NA774. This is a telescopic antenna approx 41cm long when fully extended. This antenna is specified for Ham VHF and Ham 70cm bands. Although not specified to 446 Mhz, it does an excellent job in receiving.
see http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nagoya-NA-774-...2a21398a1c


Coverage can be extended even further using one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ham-Amateur-Ra...20c8a3eab3

Occasionally this seller offers antennas tuned exactly to PMR446 band. This is the product that we use. Its 60 cm long when fully extended, and fairly rigid, so not really stable enough for hand portable use as it puts excessive strain on the radio's antenna connector. We use ours when at fixed location for monitoring.

If ordering either of these, make sure you specify the correct connector for your radio.
Consider purchasing a BNC adaptor for your radio(s), then additional antennas can be ordered with BNC connectors to allow interchangability.

LS