ExpertPower® 14.5" Dual Band 144/430Mhz U/V SMA-F Antenna for Baofeng UV-5R

This antenna is a bargain and compares favorably on price to the VERY similar Nagoya NA-810 (I'm guessing they are the same manufacturer, I can't tell them apart). It's made very well and is unbeatable if you want a compact antenna. Reception is quite good for its size, seems to be about on par with the full size rubber duck antenna from my Anytone 878. TX is similar... it's pretty good for a hotspot or radio-to-radio out in the field. This antenna is also very flexible (the outer body is basically a thick rubber tube), making it great if you are worried about snagging or breaking the connector.I tested it on VHF and UHF with an Anytone 878 and the venerable UV-5R. No complaints, it fits both radios perfectly and seems to perform decently on both bands.Overall this is a great antenna at an even better price as long as you aware of the limitations of physics - it is a 2.5" antenna after all so don't expect miracles and you'll be happy.

I bought this antenna a few months ago for my Baofeng UV-5RA. The stock rubber duck antenna obviously does not perform very well, so I was in want for something better. I decided on this and when I got it, I noticed an immediate improvement over my stock antenna. I live right on the edge of my local repeater effective range for a 5 watt HT, so I'm in the perfect spot to give a comparison on the performance of this. Before, I couldn't even hit the repeater and I could just barely do it outside my house... sometimes. But this antenna has allowed me much greater range than before. I still need to go outside my house if I want people to hear me clearly, but it still works fairly well inside. Like a lot of other repeaters out there, there are two tail tones that let you know how well you're getting into it, and I can usually get the weak signal tail tone anywhere in my house which before was impossible. I've also compared this to other HT 2 meter antennas like the Diamond, and I haven't been able to notice any significant difference in performance (if any difference at all).My only caution to people considering this antenna is that it is slightly on the large side for an HT antenna, but your performance is sure to be improved. It's hard to use in the car because you have to angle the radio sideways just so that the antenna won't hit anything. But you should be using a mobile rig for that anyway ;) So overall, this is a very good antenna that can increase your effective range at least by a few miles, and if you're considering it, I encourage you to buy it.

Two BF-888s UHF radio's were fitted with the ExpertPower 14.5 Dual Band Antenna's.While one radio stayed stationary and indoors, I drove around with the other radio as far out as 6 miles. Yes, there is crackling at 6 miles, but you can clearly receive and transmit. Though, you will get 'repeat!' from time to time. At 4 miles out, no problems whatsoever. Again, one radio indoor, while the other one mobile. Terrain was slightly hilly with scattered two story buildings and homes. Outskirt of town.In town, it's a different story...since we hardly use sheet rock, most of the buildings are hard concrete indoors and outdoors. Also, old buildings are made with wood and there's plenty of them. Once both radios are indoors, even 1/2 mile apart was a challenge. Outdoors in town, approaching 1 mile apart also proved a challenge. We were still able to communicate.We then changed the antenna's to the stock antenna's in town and we were not at all able to communicate with each other, even at 1/4 mile between buildings. No problem when both radio's are being used inside same building.Hope this helps. I definitely recommend the ExpertPower Antenna's.No problem for the fit on the BF-888s radio. Nice and snug.

For those who may be interested in the technical specs of the antenna I will post those following a brief review.The unit is constructed solidly. The antenna I received did have "ExpertPower" markings on the barrel/base of the antenna. The cap at the end is a solid plastic, not rubber like you find on more whip antennas. The textured base does make it easy for install and removal. Overall it is a decent performer, especially for the $13 price (as of June 2015).Now for the SWR specifications. I used an AW07A Antenna Analyzer to get specifications on the antenna performance. The antenna is advertised as being for 144-146 and 430-440 MHz. I will cover those areas in detail, as well as the surrounding areas.SWRVHF:120.000: 4.6125.000: 4.5130.000: 1.7*Note: The lowest SWR achieved in this area is 1.4*133.050 - 135.250: 1.4140.000: 2.5144.000: 3.2145.000: 3.5146.000: 3.7150.000: 4.3155.000: 4.5160.000: 5.4165.000: 5.1170.000: 4.5175.000: 2.4176.750-177.850: 1.4180.000: 2.8185.000: 5.7SWRUHF:400.000: 4.6410.000: 3.9420.000: 3.0430.000: 2.2433.000: 2.0436.000: 1.9440.000: 1.6445.000: 1.2**448.120 - 448.975 shows SWR 1.0**450.000: 1.1455.000: 1.5460.000: 2.1465.000: 2.7470.000: 3.6475.000: 4.2480.000: 4.8490.000: 5.6495.000: 6.1500.000: 6.7I hope this helps you make an informed decision on the antenna you will be purchasing.

The antenna works better outdoors