Ham radio question

[Brian Dodson]

I have a yaesu vx-8dr, and I am having trouble hitting my local repeater. Can I buy a different antenna?

 

[Elinor McLennon]

I know that switching antenna's on my icom handheld has done wonders for my radio. do some googling for an antenna. you could also check with your local ham radio club for resources.

 

[Keith Hosman]

It is always better to replace an HT stock antenna with a higher gain after market antenna. Your VX-8R is a tri band 70cm (440)/2m/6m you might try the Diamond SRH-320A tri band antenna if you want to use all 3 bands. if you just want to use primarily 2m/440 (70cm) I suggest the Diamond SRH77CA Dual Band HT Antenna, this is what I use on my VX6R and have had no complaints at all.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

This might help out a bunch:
http://www.worldwidedx.com/handitalkies/30862-replacement-antenna-handitalkie.html

What can be gathered from this article?
If in a mobile, use an external mag mount.
If at home; use an external base antenna.
If you want to upgrade the rubber duckie; then consider the Comet or Diamond upgrade antenna.
In addition if using the stock rubber duckie; you can modify it by adding a counterpoise wire to increase its performance for just a few cents . . .

 

[Brian Dodson]

Thanks for the help.