k0cmh
03-15-2006, 03:10 PM
MFJ 1717S 2 meter/70 cm replacement antenna for HT, $22.00
Got this unit a few weeks ago for my yaesu FT-60R. It is working well. The factory ducky is really poor. This is a significant improvement over the factory ducky. A new stadium across the street from my work location blocked contact with the local Skywarn 2 meter repeater. Can now hit that repeater "full quiting" with 5 watts. No way to confirm the manufacturer's Db gain, but MUCH better than the factory ducky. It reasonalby met the manufacturer's claims to get into and receive repeaters that could not be heard/made before.
What I Like:
- The whip is not real wobbly like some of the competitor's units that almost fall over under their own weight.
- Solid, rubber or plastic coating on the whip.
- Solid, strong base
- Nice appearance, the rubber coating and finish of the base is well done and looks good on the HT.
What I Don't Like:
- The base does not extend as far as the factory ducky and leaves about 1/8 inch of the HT's SMA connector showing (but really not a legit complaint, since the factory unit appears special made to cover the entire SMA conductor - the factory ducky would probably not fit on a differnt HT).
- The MFG web site has the wrong description for this antenna which caused me to have to telephone the order in to be sure I got the right item -- and that was a trip, poor telephone service, got put on hold three times, had to redial twice.
- The length makes the HT a little unweildly, however, it is exactly the length advertised, and I knew that would probably happen, so probably not a legit complaint -- it comes with the territory of better performing HT antennas.
Got this unit a few weeks ago for my yaesu FT-60R. It is working well. The factory ducky is really poor. This is a significant improvement over the factory ducky. A new stadium across the street from my work location blocked contact with the local Skywarn 2 meter repeater. Can now hit that repeater "full quiting" with 5 watts. No way to confirm the manufacturer's Db gain, but MUCH better than the factory ducky. It reasonalby met the manufacturer's claims to get into and receive repeaters that could not be heard/made before.
What I Like:
- The whip is not real wobbly like some of the competitor's units that almost fall over under their own weight.
- Solid, rubber or plastic coating on the whip.
- Solid, strong base
- Nice appearance, the rubber coating and finish of the base is well done and looks good on the HT.
What I Don't Like:
- The base does not extend as far as the factory ducky and leaves about 1/8 inch of the HT's SMA connector showing (but really not a legit complaint, since the factory unit appears special made to cover the entire SMA conductor - the factory ducky would probably not fit on a differnt HT).
- The MFG web site has the wrong description for this antenna which caused me to have to telephone the order in to be sure I got the right item -- and that was a trip, poor telephone service, got put on hold three times, had to redial twice.
- The length makes the HT a little unweildly, however, it is exactly the length advertised, and I knew that would probably happen, so probably not a legit complaint -- it comes with the territory of better performing HT antennas.