On Dec 29, 2008, at 5:29 PM, Lou Kolb Gmail POP account wrote:

> Any suggestions on a good replacement antenna for the one that comes  
> with
> the Kenwood Th-f6a?

As a matter of fact, yes. I bought one of these and it's great:

http://www.smileyantenna.com/product_info.php?products_id=55

Telescopic antenna. Think it's 1/4 wave on 440 collapsed, pull up two  
sections and it's a 5/8 wave on 440, put up all but two and it's a 5/8  
wave on 220. Or maybe it's all but three up, I can't recall. 1/4 wave  
on 2 meters fully extended.

Now before people spaz about a telescoping antenna on an HT with an  
SMA connector, let me put your fears at bay. Collapsed, this antenna  
is all of six inches long, and some of this is taken up with a nice  
spring at the bottom that takes some of the impact and flexing and so  
forth so all the weight isn't right on the connector. Because of this  
spring, you're also not going to have the problems associated with a  
solid antenna on your belt. It really is the best of both worlds, IMO,  
and the price is right at only around $20.

For perspective, I replaced an extended "flexible" antenna with one of  
these. Think it was the Maldal one. Anyway, the SMA on it was just  
bare, no seal, no nothing, and I managed to break two SMA connectors  
on the HT with this antenna. I don't feel at all uncomfortable with  
the Smiley antenna though. It's got a sealed connector and, as I said,  
the connector doesn't have a lot of weight sitting right on it.
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: (814) 746-4127 or 888-75-BUDDY
Create your own economic stimulus package:
http://www.powermall.info