Diamond RH 789 Antenna

"Jimmy" <[email protected]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:58:28 -0000
Newsgroups gmane.recreation.radio.hardware.yaesu.vr-500
Message-ID <[email protected]>
   Well, after calling AES about the best possible antenna for the VR-500 that would give the most widest range of reception, I was directed to the Diamond Antenna RH789 (BNC). It is an adjustable HT/Scanner antenna - "1/4 93-300 MHz; 5/8 300-1100 MHz, 7 3/4"-32" +9 dBR", that not only telescopes, but swivels at the base as well.  
   The salesman told me that they sell a lot of these, so I went ahead & ordered one (got it super fast overnight from Las Vegas to here in California with just UPS Ground).
after plugging it in, here's what I've experienced so far: somewhat  improved AM broadcast band reception (but still not as good as if it had a built-in ferrite antenna), Radio Cuba loud & clear, some religous broadcasts, my favorite 5.547 MHz (on SSB) Airline-to-tower transmissions (SF International Airport) faintly, but I can hear it. Great regular Scanner reception on police & fire bands, etc. 
  That's all I've experience so far since I've just plugged it in. I'm looking forward to checking out VHF aircraft & military, if this antenna is indeed capable of recieving them. This Antenna has a small diagram of suggested lengths to adjust it for the different frequency ranges, although I don't quite understand how to read it.   
  The salesman told me that- for the higher frequencies you shorten the antenna & for the lower frequencies, you would lentghen it. I've messed around with it as such, but I think I'm going to need to play with it some more.
  Compared to a long-wire antenna, like my roll-up Sangean SW travel antenna, I don't (yet) think it is nearly as good, however it IS portable & it DOES pull in SW & SSB in various qualities, which is pretty cool for me so far. In addition, the wide range capability of this particular antenna has got to be a big plus, although perhaps the "resonant/"tuned" antennas may get better reception on certain favored bands, I think.
   This is my report so far on this new antenna. How about you others out there. Did I make a good choice ? Does anyone else out there have any experience with the Diamond RH 789 aantenna & how all to adjust it ? 
   I'll report more later, when I get more experience with it.
                               Thank you,
                                          Jimmy