TESTING is the Fun part of radio. With simple tools and gear I can run tests with no one helping me. Simple testing for connection to a repeater. Signal quality and what distance can a HT 4 to 5 watts go? What antenna get more distance.
What are the effects of the human body near an antenna? Or a tree or building, a mountain or a hill? Very hard to guarantee a signal. I try and look for 95% Confidence. Not 100%. I am not expert and a really new ham. I hope to spark an interest. Thanks to many who help along the way or email back when i have a question about their work and to thank them.
HT (handheld) Antenna Test My data
What you buy may not be real or be a defect or not be as good as advertised. I found this out the hard way. I purchased a NanoVNA-H. A legit one.
My test uses a NanoVNA. The spec is published by the MFG. A gain of dbi means what? a lot of theory. I like to look a it this way 3dbi reaches out less is less depends on the transceiver watts and losses on the way. With a very specific combination I can get 12 miles to a repeater, and do this constant around 695. The height of the repeater is 727 Feet Estimated. much of baltimore is lower then that.
Calibrate 146 MHz to 147 MHz
Connect to Soup can/Ground simulated, sitting on plastic table. 181 to 189 SWR
| ANTENNA | dbi | SWR | OHMS |
| Stock Baofeng GT5 (Ref) | 0 | 3.0 | 95 |
| Hustler Mono 2M 5/8 Mag Mount | 3.4 | 1.18 | |
| RA 701 | 2.15 | 5.0 | 13 |
| RA 771 GOOD | 2.15 | 1.4 | 48 |
| RA 771 BAD | 2.15 | 128 | 450 |
| 48 Inch Tactical Yinitoni | 3.0 + | 2.5 | 29 |
ANTENNA TESTS
How Far Can I Talk on 2 Meters? by Paul H. Bock, Jr. K4MSG, Hamilton, Virginia Awesome Read. My Reference https://www.hamuniverse.com/k4msghowfar2meters.html