Transmission1

Strange results time - I bought a stubby antenna from AliExpress so that I could carry my Quansheng UV-K5 around discreetly and listen for activity, then switch over to the longer antenna if there's any action. I didn't intend to use it to transmit on but tried it for the laugh and have had some unexpected results.

* 50 miles Wolds to Pennines
" 50 miles Vale of York to Pennines from inside my car
* Up to 18 miles from 490ft hill
*:11 miles from inside the car from low to high ground
* Improved reception of weaker signals over the much longer stock antenna

​The stubby cost £1.20. It will not, of course, transmit as well as the stock or 771-style antennas (I've recorded S3 difference over 40 miles) but it is shockingly good for what it is.

The stubby looks very much like the antenna tested here:

At a high spot chances are you'll have very strong commercial signals whizzing around your ears close to the band. With a less efficient antenna your receiver might have a better chance of not being swamped...

That makes sense - I was 200m from a telecoms mast at one location. I think there is something else though - with the stock and the longer Retevis RHD 771 antennas, I often have to open the squelch because some contacts - even strong ones - are staccato. If I switch to the stubby it often resolves it.

The same happens if I switch to my Retevis H777D with a short, fixed antenna. This may be particular to my radio as I don't see other Quansheng owners mention it.