NAGOYA NA-771 + BAOFENG GT-5R

[rob42]

Having gone way off topic with my last thread, I thought it best to start over, with this one.

The test: I have a site from which I transmit, which is only a mile or so, line-of-sight, and about 50ft higher than my base.

I'm using the 446 (PMR) band, as I am not yet licensed. To date, I have been less than impressed with my GT-5R, using the 446 band, which I guess would be about the same performance as I'd get on 70cm (comments?). I have read (in these Forums) about the NA-771, which to some degree have been less than encouraging, but I figured that it had to be better than the stock Antenna. And it is, but not by much.

Then I came across this 12 year old YT video...



... and fitted my HT with a19 inch Counter Poise (it's maybe 19.5'' on mine). The difference is remarkable! Where I was only hitting my base with a signal strength of 4, I now hit it with a 6! Given the extra distance that I'll get on 2m, I'm looking forward to getting licensed and see what I can cover then.

So, if you have a HT and want to get the most from it, fit a Counter Poise; it's cheap, easy and very effective.

[Transwarp]

446 is only 0.5 watt, the difference in TX and RX on 70cms due to more legal power usage is night and day, even on cheap Chinese handhelds with their supplied antenna's. However if doing illegal things on pmr446 like using non approved transceivers, power, antennas then sky's the limit.

[rob42]

... if doing illegal things on pmr446 like using non approved transceivers, power, antennas then sky's the limit.

My point was not to promote the illegal use of the PMR band (which is almost unused in my area, in any case), rather to highlight the advantage of using a Counter Poise with a HT, but thank you for taking the time to reply.

[Stronty]

Interesting re the counterpoise. I had never considered it as never had need of it or so I thought, I usually only use GT-5TP for monitoring Marine and occasional PMR. If you are getting something out of the modification then well done, love it when a plan comes together.

As the GT-5R and the GT-5TP use the same antenna connection (I remember you are using a gender changer at the moment), I'm intrigued as to how you are making the connection with the counterpoise wire, are you using a round connector like the vid or have you tested one of the screws on the radio to the shield of the antenna? Any Pics?


If on the antenna and making that difference! do me a favour and check you have everything locked in tight when not using the counterpoise. One thing I have noticed with NA-771 is when you think its tightly screwed in, then try a little harder to turn, if it budges you know there is a little more to go if not you're good. the little lip on the radio chassis and the nagoya outer Shel should just slip inside the radio chassis, not on top of it. If the antenna is not fully seated you wont get the performance.

***Edit*** your wont be seated at the moment because of the gender changer so you're probably fine if all tight.

[rob42]

Thank you, Stronty. Yes, it's a good feeling when (as you say) a plan comes together.

Your advice about seating the 771 real good, is welcomed. I was a little cautious about over doing it (the tightening, that is) as I don't want to damage the 771, but I think I now have a good balance; not too tight, not too lose.

As I have conductive continuity between the Antenna base (the Brass connector) and the HT chassis, I went with the simple option.

cp.jpg

Edit to add: I'm not sure if the Counterpoise (corrected spelling, this time ) needs to be as straight and as vertical as it possibly can be. My guess is, yes, but even if it doesn't matter too much, I guess (again) that ensuring that it is, won't lessen its effectiveness. So, to that end, I've attached a M8 Steel Nut to the bottom of the Counterpoise, which does indeed keep the thing relatively straight and vertical