Baofeng UV-5R Antenna Upgrade Recommendations ($15-$25 budget)?

Antennas
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Hi all!
I’m studying for my HAM radio technician license, meanwhile I am looking for a good antenna upgrade from the stock Baofeng UV-5R antenna. There are many antennas an amazon.com for good prices, but I just want to make use I get the right one. Like I said before, I’m just getting started in the hobby, so please understand that I don’t know a whole lot about antennas or HAM radio itself. I am exited to start the HAM radio hobby! Recommendations on a antenna upgrade will be much appreciated!

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Can’t go wrong with a Signal Stick, https://signalstuff.com/products/st-sma-f/https://signalstuff.com/products/st-sma-f/. This should be the one you need. Its on the high side of your price range and I’ve heard nothing but good about them.

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I appreciate it, KD4RVB! Just do let you know, that link didn’t work.

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lol, accidentally pasted it twice, try this Super-Elastic Signal Stick™: SMA-F

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Signal Stick is definitely the best antenna I have bought for my Baofengs.

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Stock antenna works fine for me, but I’ve heard that the previously mentioned Signal Stick is good!

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Thank you all for the feedback! I’ll look into those Stick Antennas. Is there a certain one I should get? @KD4RVB, I saw there are different versions of the same model. Which one should I get? I’m guessing I should get the 2m/70cm one since I’ll have technician license privileges.

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The link goes to the one you need. The difference between models is in the connector to the radio. The one in the link I sent is for most Baofengs. The big choice is what color you want, lol. I like the glow in the dark myself. Anyway good luck!

Jose

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I am also fairly new to the ham radio community! I have a signal stick and have tried it with my ID-50 and it is definitely a step up from the rubber duck. This other antenna, “Twayrdio” I have also tried and I actually prefer it to my signal stick. The twayrdio and signal stick both perform about the same, but I like the twayrdio antenna more because it is telescopic and I don’t have to worry about it flopping around like the signal stick. But that’s my personal preference. Just wanted to throw this out there as another option.