What Is The Best Antenna For Two-Way Radio?

A quality two-way radio antenna helps to keep your signal clear. Antennas have frequency bands, measured in MHz, that fall into different wavelengths. The higher the frequency the greater the range. There are 3 different types of antenna frequencies, UHF, VHF, and 700/800.The most common of these are the first two types.

VHF

VHF stands for Very High Frequency with a frequency range of 30 MHz to 300 MHz. VHF antennas work best in outdoors only when around or in wooded areas. This type of antenna does not penetrate through walls very well which can interfere with coverage.

UHF

UHF stands for Ultra High Frequency with a frequency range of 300 MHz to 3 GHz. UHF works well for both indoor and outdoor use. This type of antenna penetrates through walls like concrete and steel, better than VHF. UHF is the most popular of the two.

So how to choose the length of the antenna?

Whip

Whip antennas are about 7-8 inches long and skinny in size. These typically have more gain which helps increase the range of your two-way radio. But the downside to the Whip antenna is the length of the antenna is too long. When radios are kept at your waist (on a utility belt), the antenna nudges them while they re sitting which can make it uncomfortable.

Stubby

Stubby antennas get their name from their length. They are about 3-4 inches long. Stubby antennas are best for UHF and 700/800 MHz frequency bands. Due to their length, the stubby antenna is favored by everyday radio users because it's less intrusive and won't poke you in the side, compared to whip antennas.

If you're needing a VHF antenna, a stubby antenna is not recommended. Because you're not going to get the range you need -have to look for a whip with a higher gain.

Do you now know how to choose an antenna?