I installed two Abbree AR771T antennas on two Baofeng 777s. With the original rubber duck antennas in an urban environment around 2 km apart, they successfully transmit and receive (TX/RX).
When both use the Abbree antennas, they go completely deaf and mute to each other. However, if one radio uses the rubber duck and the other keeps the Abbree, the unit with the Abbree can transmit and the rubber duck unit receives it. The reverse does not work: the unit with the Abbree cannot receive anything.
Is this just a matter of testing in open field conditions, or is this issue inherent to the Baofeng receiver architecture? Has anyone experienced this with dual Abbree antennas or high-gain antennas on Baofengs? Looking for evidence-based responses. Thanks!
I’ve had deaf Abbree antennas in the past and generally avoid them. You could hook them up to an SWR meter and give them a test yourself. The typical caution with any Chinese gear is that QC is an issue and while some examples are great, others are trash.
You may do better with a counterpoise on the 771 if it’s functioning and/or on the stock rubber duck.
With any antenna, you’ll be limited to line of sight more or less and buildings/trees/urban stuff in the way will limit workable distance. But a larger antenna should work better than a smaller/stock antenna–you’re right!
A VNA tester will go a long way to testing antennas, but real world testing like you’ve done is always best. Have a look at the Nagoya 771 or some of the Diamond or Comet options for a more reliable product.