Standardize on an Antenna Connector
The antenna is the primary piece of “furniture” you will change a lot. You might need a 19″ antenna to reach out a decent distance or a small 8″ when you don’t want to be poked in the eye/nose/mouth.
If you go the route that most starting hams in readiness circles go, you will probably get a Chinese radio. Almost all of these Chinese radios have standardized on the SMA-Female antenna connector. In one way, you have “standardized.” However, this does not account for additional antennas you will need; like having a mag mount available or a roll-up J-pole.
Additionally, the SMA connector is not really meant to be connected and disconnected over and over again. I’m not saying the connector won’t make it to the useful end-of-life of your $25 radio. Plus, the SMA connection is finely threaded, so screwing the antenna off and back on takes a lot turns.
My recommendation is to standardize on BNC (Bayonet Nut Connector). It’s made for quick connect and disconnect. It’s a widely used standard so you should have no problems finding antennas and accessories. You can find SMA to BNC adapters all over the place. Since I’m going to be recommending Signal Sticks, you might just want to pick some adapters over there.
There are three essential BNC antennas I recommend:
- Signal Stick BNC antenna = 19“ Flexible BNC Antenna
- Diamond RH519 - Short Flexible BNC Antenna
- BNC Magnetic Mount for Signal Sticks - Mag Mount for BNC/Signal Sticks
